>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL UPDATE," YOUR REVIEW OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 18TH.
I AM THERESA MARSENBURG.
ON THE SECOND DAY OF BUDGET WEEK IT WAS THE HOUSE'S TURN
TO UNVEIL PIECES OF THE NEW SPENDING PLAN.
KRYSTA BROWN TAKES US TO SOME OF THE COMMITTEES THAT OUTLINED THEIR BUDGET PRIORITIES TUESDAY.
FROM HEALTH CARE TO TRANSPORTATION TO EDUCATION, HOUSE COMMITTEES HAVE ALLOTTED A COUPLE OF HOURS
FOR BUDGET HEARINGS BUT MOST OF THEM FINISHED WITH TIME TO SPARE.
IN THE HOUSE HEALTH CARE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE,
LAWMAKERS SAY THE BUDGET SURPLUS IS ENABLING THEM TO SPREAD EXTRA MONEY AROUND TO DO THINGS
LIKE REDUCE THE WAIT LIST FOR SERVICES IN THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
THEY ARE ALSO RECOMMENDING $10.6 MILLION TO FULLY RESTORE PREVIOUS CUTS
TO COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ALONG WITH AN INCREASE
IN FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
>> WE MADE A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT TO OUR CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM TOTALING $44 MILLION
OF RECURRING GENERAL REVENUE.
THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT PLUG OF RESOURCES.
WE FUND $13 MILLION, OR AN ADDITIONAL 191 CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATORS.
THAT IS EXPECTED TO REDUCE THE CPI CASELOAD TO ONE IN 10 AND EXPECTED
TO REDUCE THE SUPERVISOR RATIO TO ONE IN SIX.
>> IN THE AREAS OF TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE HOUSE IS RECOMMENDING SPENDING
MORE THAN $11 MILLION, INCREASING FUNDING FOR VISIT FLORIDA
AND ADDING 28 TROOPER POSITIONS TO THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL.
THAT COMMITTEE OVERSEES AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IS RECOMMENDING $89.3 MILLION.
>> WE TOOK THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SADOWSKI TRUST FUND
AND THE SENATE HAS QUITE A DIFFERENT BUDGET ROLLOUT.
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NOW WEEK NINE WE WILL MEET WITH THE SENATE SEVERAL TIMES
AND WE WILL TRY TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT.
OTHERWISE THE PRESIDING OFFICERS WILL FORWARD SOMETHING TO THE GOVERNOR.
>> THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ALSO REVIEWED ITS BUDGET AREA TUESDAY WHICH IS JUST
OVER $1.9 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 4.3% OVER THE CURRENT YEAR.
>> MUCH OF THE INCREASE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO FUNDING REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
OF OUR STATE BUILDINGS AND ALSO THE DOLLARS FOR THE FLORIDA INFORMATION RESOURCE NETWORK
TO ENSURE THAT OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IS AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATION,
DEPLOYING I.T. CAPABILITIES IN THE CLASSROOM.
>> AND IN EDUCATION, THE HOUSE'S EDUCATION APPROPRIATION PANEL APPROVED A $20.6 BILLION
BUDGET THAT INCLUDES $86.3 MILLION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE PLAN ALSO CALLS FOR $75 MILLION IN PERFORMANCE FUNDING FOR STATE UNIVERSITIES.
>> THIS IS NOT THE FINAL BUDGET AND THERE IS A LOT OF NONRECURRING DOLLARS THAT ARE NOT IN HERE
THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE ADDED TO THE BUDGET IN THE NEXT STOP.
>> THAT NEXT STOP, FULL APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE SUBCOMMITTEES ARE READYING THEIR PLANS
TO BE ROLLED INTO ONE BILL IN THE CHAMBER.
THEY WILL BE HEARD IN THE MAIN HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK.
FOR "CAPITOL UPDATE," I'M KRYSTA BROWN.
>> NOW ONTO THE COST OF REGISTERING VEHICLES IN FLORIDA.
TUESDAY MORNING THE FULL SENATE APPROVED ITS MEASURE
THAT WOULD ROLL BACK FEE COSTS TO WHAT THEY WERE IN 2009.
THAT IS ONE LAWMAKERS RAISE THE FEE TO MAKE UP FOR IT BUDGET DEFICIT CREATES.
>> WE CAN KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AND WE CAN KEEP PEOPLE WORKING,
KEEP THINGS DONE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
NOW THAT THE ECONOMY IS TURNED AROUND WE ARE DOING THE RESPONSIBLE THING
IN GIVING THE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE.
>> UNDER THE MEASURE THE COST TO REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE WOULD DECREASE
BY $25 DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE.
THE BILL WILL TAKE EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL REDUCE REVENUES
TO THE STATE BY ABOUT $400 MILLION ANNUALLY.
THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE WHERE IT'S EXPECTED TO PASS.
THE GOVERNOR, WHO CALLS FOR THE FEE REDUCTION SAYS HE WILL SIGN IT WHEN IT REACHES HIS DESK.
THE SENATE APPROVED MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHER MEASURES
AND SENT THEM ONTO THE HOUSE FOR ACTION.
SOME OF THE SENATE PROPOSALS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS BILL TRACK.
[music]
>> A BILL EXPANDING THE SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES SO THEY CAN SEND THEIR KIDS
TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IS READY TO BE HEARD BY THE FULL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SEVENTY PEOPLE CAME TO THE FINAL HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARING TO TESTIFY ON THE BILL.
"CAPITOL UPDATE'S" MIKE LICQUIA HAS MORE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE.
>> PEOPLE CAME FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO TALK FOR AND AGAINST THIS BILL.
THE PRIORITY OF THE HOUSE SPEAKER IS TRYING TO OFFER MORE OPTIONS
FOR WHERE THEY COULD SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.
PEOPLE FILLED THE ROOM AND HALLWAY OUTSIDE
AS THE HOUSE INNOVATION COMMITTEE TOOK UP HOUSE BILL 7099.
THE BILL WOULD PUT MORE TAX MONEY INTO A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
TO HELP FAMILIES PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL.
CURRENTLY FAMILIES AT 185% OF THE POVERTY LINE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS
BUT UNDER THE BILL THAT WOULD GROW TO 260% AS LONG AS THERE'S MONEY AVAILABLE IN THE PROGRAM.
THIS YEAR MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE PROGRAM APPLICANTS WERE DENIED
BECAUSE THE MONEY RAN OUT.
UNDER THE BILL STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM COULD DOUBLE BY 2017.
REPRESENTATIVE SHEVRIN JONES WANTED TO CHANGE THE BILL WITH AN AMENDMENT
WHERE THESE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ACCEPTING THE STATE MONEY WOULD HAVE
TO ALSO TAKE A STATE EXAM LIKE THE FCAT.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE
TO THE SAME STANDARDS THEY ARE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> THE COMMITTEE CHAIR SAID THERE'S ALREADY ANOTHER LAYER OF ACCOUNTABILITY
SINCE THE SCHOLARSHIPS DO NOT PAY FOR ALL OF THE TUITION.
THERE IS A HIGHER LEVEL OF PARENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE OF THE FACT
THAT IN THESE SCHOOLS PARENTS ARE PAYING OUT-OF-POCKET, SIGNIFICANT OUT-OF-POCKET
TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IN THOSE SCHOOLS.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT SAY YEA.
ALL OPPOSED SAY NAY.
SHOW THE AMENDMENT FAILS.
NEXT, COMMITTEE MEMBERS HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN THE CROWD SPEAKING FOR
AND AGAINST EXPANDING THE FELLOWSHIP.
SOME FAMILIES SAID IT HAS IMPROVED THEIR KIDS EDUCATION.
>> IN ORDER TO GET MY KIDS INTO SCHOOL NEXT YEAR I SPENT MONEY OUT-OF-POCKET.
I HAD A YARD SALE, SO PLEASE KNOW IT WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE.
>> I FEEL ANY MONEY THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM SHOULD GO
TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND NOT DIVERTERS
OR ALLOCATED ANYWHERE ELSE BUT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
>> BEFORE VOTING ON THE BILL THE MEMBERS' DEBATE FOCUSED ON ACCOUNTABILITY,
LIKE GRADING THESE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
>> WHY NOT GRADE THESE SCHOOLS SO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS HOW OUR MONIES ARE BEING SPENT.
>> IF WE ALLOW PARENTS TO VOTE WITH THEIR FEET IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ALLOW THEM
TO CHOOSE WHICHEVER SCHOOL, WITHOUT THE BOUNDARY OF ZIP CODES.
THAT WOULD TRULY BE OUR BEST ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE HERE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE BRACEY SAID HE SUPPORTS SCHOOL CHOICE
BUT HE BELIEVES PRIVATE IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST CHOICE.
>> IF WE ARE GOING TO TAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DOLLARS AND SEND THOSE STUDENTS
TO PRIVATE SCHOOL I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF IT BUT IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS BETTER
THAN WE SEE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND I WILL STILL SAY WHAT I SAW WAS NOT THE CASE .
>> IN THE SENATE A SIMILAR BILL HAS NOT BEEN HEARD BY A COMMITTEE.
SENATE PRESIDENT DON GAETZ HAS SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY TIED
TO THE SCHOLARSHIPS BUT HAS NOT SAID EXACTLY WHAT HE THINKS
THAT ACCOUNTABILITY SHOULD LOOK LIKE.
>> THANKS MIKE.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL THAT COULD DIRECT STATE MONEY NOT JUST TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS BUT A RANGE
OF EDUCATIONAL HELP FOR STUDENTS IS MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE
AND SENATE BUT IT TOO RAISES OPPOSITION.
REBECCA BAER JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THAT DEBATE.
>> THERESA, SUPPORTERS SAY THE MEASURE WOULD GIVE PARENTS
OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS MORE FLEXIBILITY
BUT OPPONENTS ARGUE IT'S JUST ANOTHER UNNECESSARY EXPANSION
OF SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAMS.
UNDER THE BILL APPROVED BY THE SENATE EDUCATION AND HOUSE EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE,
PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS COULD OPEN PERSONAL LEARNING ACCOUNTS.
FUNDING WOULD BE BASED ON THE NEED AS SET FORTH IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN.
SENATOR KELLI STARGEL EXPLAINED HOW IT WORKS.
>> YOU COME IN TO THE SCHOOL TO FIGURE OUT YOUR MATRIX OF SERVICES.
THE AMOUNT THAT WILL BE SPENT ON YOU, IF YOU WILL, IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
90% OF THOSE DOLLARS GO INTO AN ACCOUNT AND THE STUDENT, IT'S KIND OF PARENT-DIRECTED.
THE PARENT CAN USE THOSE DOLLARS FOR SPEECH THERAPY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY TO BUY CURRICULUM
IF THEY WANT TO HOME-SCHOOL THEIR CHILD OR TO USE A PORTION OF THOSE FUNDS
TO MAYBE DO CERTAIN THINGS AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL BILECA PRESENTED THE MEASURE IN THE HOUSE.
>> THESE KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TAKE A LEVEL OF SPECIAL INSIGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING
TO MAKE THE CHILD AS SUCCESSFUL AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN BE AND I TRULY BELIEVE IN ALL OF THIS,
THE ONE THAT HAS MOST INSIGHT IS THE PARENT.
>> THE MEASURES WOULD PRIMARILY DIRECT STATE FUNDING TO CHILDREN WHO ARE HOMESCHOOLED
AND HAVE THE MOST SEVERE DISABILITIES BUT SOME
ON THE COMMITTEE THOUGHT THE MONEY COULD BE BETTER SPENT
TO IMPROVE EXISTING SERVICES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS.
>> OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE SET UP TO SERVE THEM AND IF WE ARE NOT SERVING THEM WE NEED
TO STRENGTHEN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING THEIR NEEDS.
>> IF WE HAD BEEN WORKING TOWARDS REAL REACHABLE GOALS IN FUNDING THOSE NEEDS,
WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE NEED TO REDIRECT KNOWLEDGE TO ANOTHER ENTITY TO DEAL WITH THESE STUDENTS
BECAUSE OF THEIR NEEDS, BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET IT RIGHT
WITH THE EXISTING OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE.
SO FOR THAT REASON I HAVE TO VOTE IN OPPOSITION.
>> BILL SPONSORS SAY THEIR MEASURES ARE NOT MEANT TO DISCREDIT THE WORK OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- I'M NOT SAYING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T DOING A GOOD JOB
BUT FOR SOME KIDS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO MEET THEIR NEED.
>> THE SENATE BILL HAS TWO MORE COMMITTEE STOPS.
THE HOUSE BILL, JUST ONE.
THERE ARE SLIGHT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO.
THE HOUSE BILL PROVIDES FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES.
THE SENATE BILL PROVIDES PATHWAYS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS TO OBTAIN A STANDARD DIPLOMA.
THOSE SPONSORS SAY THE MEASURES ARE WORKS IN PROGRESS.
>> THANK YOU REBECCA.
ANOTHER HOUSE EDUCATION PANEL GOT THEIR FIRST LOOK AT LEGISLATION
THAT WOULD MEASURE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF STATE DOLLARS INTO, K-12 SCHOOLS.
HOUSE BILL 875 REQUIRES THE COMMISSION OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A RATING SYSTEM BASED
ON HOW SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS ARE USING STATE FUNDS TO IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
THE RATINGS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON LINE IN STUDENT REPORT CARDS.
THE BILL'S SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE MANNY DIAZ SAYS IT WILL SERVE AS A MODEL
OF BEST PRACTICES FOR THE SCHOOLS.
SUPPORTERS SAY IT WILL PROVIDE BETTER DIRECTION FOR FUTURE FUNDING.
>> IF WE WANT TO GIVE A BILLION DOLLARS EDUCATION BY WHICH IS USING THE MONEY
TO FUND BUREAUCRACY AND HOW MUCH IS GOING TO THE STUDENT IN THAT CLASSROOM?
WE ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH -- TOO LITTLE ON OVERHEAD.
THIS WILL HELP US GET THERE.
>> IN ADDITION TO THE RATINGS THE BILL CREATES A PILOT PROGRAM AIMED AT GIVING LOCAL MIDDLE
AND HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS MORE AUTHORITY OVER BUDGET IN PERSONAL MATTERS SIMILAR
TO FLEXIBILITY GIVEN TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
LAWMAKERS HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE BILL BUT CHOSE TO SUPPORT IT
BECAUSE THEIR RESPECTIVE SUPERINTENDENTS WERE IN AGREEMENT.
THE ILL PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 10-2 AND HAS TWO MORE COMMITTEE STOPS.
A BILL THAT EXTENDS IN-STATE TUITION TO CERTAIN NONRESIDENTS ADVANCE
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SENATE COMMITTEE TUESDAY.
AS THE 5-4 VOTE INDICATES IT'S AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT WIDELY SUPPORTED IN THE SENATE,
SPECIFICALLY BY THOSE IN THE MAJORITY PARTY.
>> THERE'S NOT ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM THAT FEELS STRONGER ABOUT SECURING THE BORDERS
OF OUR COUNTRY AND KEEPING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS OUT OF OUR COUNTRY
AND USING THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
NOBODY HERE IS STRONGER ON THAT ISSUE THAN I AM.
>> SENATOR JACK LATVALA HAS PRESENTED A MEASURE THAT REVISES THE TUITION RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
SO IMMIGRANTS WHOSE PARENTS BROUGHT THEM HERE AT A YOUNG AGE AND GREW
UP IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND THE PARENTS PAID STATE TAXES,
HAVE A CHANCE TO ATTEND A STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AT THE SAME LOWER RATE
THAT FLORIDA RESIDENTS ARE CHARGED.
>> WE KNOW THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR AND I CAN TELL YOU ALL OF THE STUDENTS
THAT HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A HARD-WORKING AMERICAN AND THEY'RE HERE
TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND WE WILL KEEP GOING, HOWEVER, WE CAN DEFINITELY USE YOUR HELP.
>> KIDS WHO WANT TO BETTER THEMSELVES WHO WANT A CAREER OTHER THAN WASHING DISHES
AND BEING A MAID IN A HOTEL, THEY NEED THE BENEFIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO GET THERE.
>> SENATOR DWIGHT BULLARD, A LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF REFORM ISSUES, VOTED FOR THE MEASURE
AND THEN LATER PARENTS AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS THANKED LAWMAKERS
FOR THEIR EFFORTS THUS FAR IN SESSION.
>> WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY IN THE SESSION TO REALLY GET AT THE ISSUE
OF EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF THE TAXPAYERS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
WE WENT A LONG WAY THIS MORNING IN TAKING THE FIRST STEP
ON THE SENATE SIDE TO PASS THE TUITION EQUITY BILL.
THAT WILL FINALLY PUT US IN LINE WITH OTHER STATES THAT HAVE TAKEN THAT STEP
TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.
>> STILL, SENATOR LATVALA'S POLITICAL PARTY
WHO OPPOSE THE BILL SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CONVINCED THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.
INSTEAD SENATORS LIKE KELLI STARGEL BELIEVES THE STUDENTS SHOULD WORK TOWARDS
ACHIEVING CITIZENSHIP.
>> IF YOU ARE NOT DOCUMENTED I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THE BENEFIT THAT WE GET TO FLORIDIANS.
THE FACT THAT WE ALLOW A QUALITY EDUCATION IS A WONDERFUL BENEFIT.
>> THIS BODY JUST PASSED TUITION FOR MILITARY VETERANS.
THESE PEOPLE HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND, HAVE SACRIFICED FOR OUR COUNTRY
AND NOW WE ARE DEBATING GIVING THE SAME REWARD TO THE SAME TREATMENT TO UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
WHO HAVE NOT REACHED THAT HIGH BAR.
THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS WITH THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION SO I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING IT.
>> PRESIDENT DON GAETZ SAID HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE BILL IF IT REACHES THE FULL SENATE.
THE SENATE MEASURE HAS THREE MORE COMMITTEE STOPS.
THE HOUSE VERSION IS READY FOR A FULL HEARING AND A FINAL VOTE
AND IS SUPPORTED BY SPEAKER WILL WEATHERFORD.
THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE THAT HEAD THE STATE'S TROUBLED WELFARE SYSTEM SAYS LAWMAKERS WILL TAKE
THEIR TURN IN PASSING A MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM.
THE HOUSE HEALTHY FAMILIES COMMITTEE DELAYED A VOTE AFTER CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE MEASURE.
UNDER A NEW DRAFT ALL NEW PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATORS AND CASEWORKERS WOULD NEED
TO HAVE A DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK
OR ANOTHER RELATED FIELD INCLUDING THOSE IN COMMUNITY CHAIRED AGENCIES.
THESE WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES WHEN IT COMES
TO PROTECTING CHILDREN IN TRAUMATIC FAMILY SITUATIONS.
>> TO EVALUATE WHAT'S GOING ON, TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE HUMAN DYNAMICS THAT ARE AT WORK
IN THAT SITUATION AND THEN TO HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A SAFETY PLAN AND MAKE DECISIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT SYSTEM AS TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THAT CHILD, VERY TOUGH WORK.
WE WANT THE BEST-QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS DOING THIS VERY TOUGH WORK.
>> UNDER THE ORIGINAL BILL DRAFTED THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT ONLY APPLIES
TO INVESTIGATORS WITH THE STATE INSURANCE OFFICE.
CHANGES TO THE PROPOSAL SINCE LAST WEEK WOULD ALSO EXTEND TO EXEMPTIONS
AND STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY-BASED CARE AGENCIES.
HARRELL EXPECTS AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL AT NEXT WEEK'S MEETING.
A SIMILAR BILL PASSED THE COMMITTEE AND IS AWAITING FURTHER COMMITTEE REFERENCES.
BULLYING WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED IN ATHLETICS UNDER A BILL PROPOSED BY RITCH WORKMAN.
THE HOUSE CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE APPROVED HOUSE BILL 1117 REQUIRING COACHES
TO TALK TO THEIR TEAMS ABOUT BULLYING.
THE COACHES IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE SPORTS WOULD HAVE
TO HAVE THEIR PLAYERS SIGN A STATEMENT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BULLY TEAMMATES.
>> I WANT VERY MUCH TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS
AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT HAVE CHANGED THE CULTURE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.
WE CAN ARGUE THAT POINT.
THE LAST HOLDOUT FOR ABUSIVE PRACTICES HIS SPORTS WHERE WE HAVE COACHES WHO WON'T TURN
IN THE TEAM NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE IS.
>> SOME REPRESENTATIVES HESITATED TO REQUIRE ANTI-BULLYING REGULATIONS
BUT FOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM.
REPRESENTATIVE WORKMAN SAID HE IS CONSIDERING MAKING CHANGES TO THE BILL IN THAT AREA.
THE BILL WOULD STILL NEED TO PASS TWO MORE COMMITTEES BEFORE IT COULD BE BOUGHT
TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER.
A SIMILAR BILL IN THE SENATE HAS NOT BEEN HEARD IN COMMITTEE.
IF YOU HAVE A SEPTIC TANK AND IT HAS TO BE PUMPED OUT ALL THE WASTE HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE.
FOR YEARS THAT WASTE WAS TREATED AND SPREAD
AROUND ON LAND REGULATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
FOUR YEARS AGO THE LEGISLATURE ENACTED A LAW THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO END THE PRACTICE BY 2016.
ON TUESDAY A HOUSE COMMITTEE VOTED TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE UNTIL 2020.
A STATE STUDY SHOWED THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE TO DISPOSE OF SEPTAGE, AS IT'S CALLED,
WITHOUT HIGH COST OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
THEY TOLD LAWMAKERS THEY CAN AFFORD THE EXTRA COST.
>> MY PROTECTION EXTENDS TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE
AND IF I'M NOT SEEING OR HEARING OF ANY SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
THAT THIS PROCEDURE IS CAUSING AN ISSUE FOR SPRING'S LAKES RIVERS AND BODIES
OF WATERS THEM I CAN'T VOTE AGAINST THIS.
>> THE BILL WAS AMENDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE
TO INCLUDE A NEW STUDY TO DELIVER TO LAWMAKERS IN 2015.
THE BILL HAS TWO MORE STOPS IN THE HOUSE
AND A SENATE BILL HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THREE COMMITTEES.
LEGISLATION ABOUT HEARSAY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WENT THROUGH SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES TODAY.
THE BILLS WOULD ALLOW STATEMENTS MADE OUTSIDE OF COURT PROCEEDINGS TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE.
THE SENATE VERSION WOULD ALLOW THAT EVIDENCE TO BE USED EVEN
IF IT CONTRADICTS TESTIMONY FROM THE VICTIM.
THE HOUSE BILL WOULD ALLOW THE OFFENSE TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT ANY RELATED TESTIMONY.
HERE'S A LOOK AT OTHER SIMILAR BILLS, OTHER BILLS RATHER
THAT MOVED THROUGH THE COMMITTEES TUESDAY.
[music]
>> SENATORS DARREN SOTO THE AND THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OFFERED AN AMENDMENT
TO SENATE BILL 926 MAKING THAT CHANGE.
THE BILL SETS PARAMETERS FOR LOCAL ORDINANCES RELATED TO WAGE THEFT.
SENATOR JACK LATVALA WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH APPLYING CRIMINAL LAW TO WAGE THEFT.
>> WHY IT'S A CRIME FOR AN EMPLOYEE TO STEAL $300 FROM AN EMPLOYER BUT IT'S NOT A CRIME
FOR AN EMPLOYER TO STEAL $300 FROM AN EMPLOYEE.
>> A LOT OF THESE WAGE DISPUTES THERE IS NO CRIMINAL INTENT.
THERE IS A DISPUTE OVER HOURS WORKED AND THERE IS AN HONEST DISPUTE.
THIS AMENDMENT COULD END UP MAKING EMPLOYERS CRIMINALS OR PROSECUTED
UNDER CRIMINAL STATUTE WHEREAS CURRENTLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO SHOW SOME KIND OF INTENT IN ORDER
TO GO AFTER THEM UNDER SOME OTHER STATUTE THAT EXISTS.
>> THE AMENDMENT FAILED ON A 6-3 VOTE.
THE COMMITTEE ENDED BEFORE SENATORS COULD VOTE ON THE BILL.
COMMITTEE CHAIR TOM LEE PROMISED TO BRING THE BILL BACK FOR DISCUSSION.
BOTH THE SENATE AND HOUSE BELIEVE THE ISSUE MUST PASS TWO COMMITTEES BEFORE IT CAN BE HEARD
ON THE CHAMBER FLOOR.
GRANDPARENTS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE THEIR GRANDCHILDREN WOULD BE ABLE
TO PETITION THE COURT UNDER A MEASURE APPROVED BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
SENATE BILL 750 STEMS FROM A CASE OF ORLANDO MOM MICHELLE PARKER.
HER MOTHER TESTIFIED BEFORE THE SENATE CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND ELDER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TUESDAY.
IN 2011 HER DAUGHTER'S EX-FIANC...E GOT FULL CUSTODY OF HER TWIN GRANDCHILDREN
AFTER PARKER VANISHED, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS CONSIDERED A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE CASE.
STEWART HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE CHILDREN.
>> NO ONE IN FLORIDA CAN ASK TO VISIT THEIR GRANDCHILDREN
BECAUSE THERE IS NO LAW THAT SAYS I CAN'T.
I AM HER MOTHER.
I'M A GRANDPARENT.
MY DAUGHTER IS MISSING.
I LOVE HER AND HER CHILDREN LIKE THEY ARE MY OWN.
THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN AND YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.
A JUDGE WILL NEVER HEAR THIS IF I AM NOT ALLOWED TO TRY.
HE WILL NEVER HEAR THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
>> THE SENATE BILL HAS TWO MORE COMMITTEE STOPS.
AN IDENTICAL BILL IS MOVING TO THE COMMITTEE PROCESS IN THE HOUSE.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GOVERNOR REUBIN ASKEW TUESDAY.
THE BODY OF THE 37th GOVERNOR IS LYING IN STATE IN THE HISTORIC CAPITOL WHERE HE SERVED
IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THEN HAD HIS OFFICE IN AND TWO TERMS AS COSTAR.
GOVERNOR. REUBIN ASKEW WAS A PARATROOPER IN THE ARMY AND SERVED
AS A MILITARY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER WITH THE AIR FORCE DURING THE KOREAN WAR.
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND FIRST LADY ANNE SCOTT GREETED THE ASKEW FAMILY,
INCLUDING FORMER FIRST LADY DONNA LOU ASKEW, NOW A WIDOW AFTER 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.
FORMER GOVERNORS JOINED THE CABINET AFTER HIS BODY LAY IN STATE IN THE HISTORIC CAPITOL
AND THE PUBLIC WAS INVITED TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS.
A RESOLUTION BY THE FULL SENATE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE ASKEW FAMILY.
>> REUBIN WAS A PERSON WHO REALLY FELT VERY CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE
AND ITS MADE AN INCREDIBLE DIFFERENCE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE STATE.
WE SHOULD BE HAPPY WE HAD HIM.
>> GOVERNOR ASKEW WAS FAMOUSLY QUOTED AS HAVING SAID THAT RUNNING
FOR OFFICE WAS SOMETHING HE KNEW HE HAD TO DO.
HE SAID I FEEL GOD HAS PLANS FOR THE WORLD AND MAN.
IF I HAD ANY TALENT, I HAD TO USE IT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
>> ASKEW'S PUBLIC SERVICE INCLUDED FIGHTING TO END SEGREGATION,
SPEARHEADING FLORIDA'S SUNSHINE LAWS, CREATING THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX AND CUTTING TAXES
ON RESIDENTIAL UTILITIES AND RENTS.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD FOR ASKEW WEDNESDAY AT FAITH PRESBYTERIAN IN TALLAHASSEE.
HE WILL BE BURIED IN PENSACOLA FRIDAY, AGAIN WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS.
A GROUP OF DISABLED FLORIDIANS PLACED 300 ROSES ON THE STEPS OF THE OLD CAPITAL TO HONOR ASKEW.
WHEN HE WAS GOVERNOR HIS ADMINISTRATION FORMED THE FIRST HOUSING FINANCE GROUP
TO ASSIST THOSE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
IT HELPS MANY OF THEM MOVE OUT OF INSTITUTIONS AND BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ADVOCATES SAID MAKING SURE THAT THOSE
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CAN LIVE IN COMMUNITIES
AND RECEIVE SERVICES IS ONE OF THEIR LEGISLATIVE GOALS.
>> I CANNOT SUPPORT ALL OVER THE PLACE.
I HAVE HAD MY HOUSE 15 YEARS AND I WISH EVERYBODY COULD GET
OUT OF THE INSTITUTION BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT'S DONE.
>> OTHER PRIORITIES INCLUDE RELIEVING MORE PEOPLE FROM THE WAITING LIST TO RECEIVE SERVICES
FROM AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
AND INCREASING REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS PART OF AN ANNUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY HELD
BY THE ARC OF FLORIDA AND THE FLORIDA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNSEL.
THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF "CAPITOL UPDATE."
WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.