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May 9, 2006 Florida Legislative
Update The Florida Legislature this year rejected all three priority Bills that school administrators have been advocating for the past several years. The good news is that another priority that administrators wanted did pass and now is waiting for Governor Bush’s signature to become law. Senate Bill 442 filed by Senator Alfred Lawson of Tallahassee, and co-sponsored by seven Senators including Victor Crist of Hillsborough, Nancy Argenziano of Crystal River, Mike Fasano of New Port Richey, Michael Bennett of Bradington, and Dennis Jones of Seminole, would have increased the Health Insurance Supplement from $5 to $7. The accompanying House Bill 105 filed by Representative Bob Allen of Merritt Island, and co-sponsored by 16 Representatives including Bruce Anton of Orange, Mike Bilirakis of Palm Harbor, Mary Brandenburg of Palm Beach, Ron Ragan of Sarasota, Edward Bullard and Juan Zapata of Miami, Faye Culp and Bob Henriquez of Hillsborough, and Charlie Justice of Pinellas, would have also raised the Health Insurance Supplement to $7. Both of the above the Senate and House bills were heard and approved by several committees but never made it to the Senate and House floors for a vote. It is believed that the leadership gave Senator Lawson the choice of passing one of his two Bills, raising the health insurance supplement or raising the per-diem and mileage reimbursement for all state employees, and he chose the latter. Senate Bill 428 filed by Senator Alfred Lawson of Tallahassee that increases the per-diem reimbursement to $36 per day (6-11-19) and raises mileage reimbursement to 44.5 cents per mile was passed by the Senate by a vote of 115 to 0 and the House by a vote of 38 to 0. House Bill 477 filed by Representative Loranne Ausley of Tallahassee. This legislation must now be signed by the Governor for it to become law. The provision of this legislation is permissive not mandatory. Local school boards may reimburse up to the maximum prescribed by the new law or any level between what they are now reimbursing and the maximum. This Bill was promoted and lobbied by the state employees group from the Tallahassee area. The Re-Employment Legislation, Senate Bill 102 filed by Senator Stephen Wise, and co-sponsored by Senators Jim King of Jacksonville and Victor Crist of Hillsborough, would have allowed administrators to be re-employed one month after retirement without penalty. The companion Hose Bill 389 was sponsored by Representative Bill Proctor and co-sponsored by Faye Culp and Bob Henriquez of Hillsborough, and Ron Regan of Sarasota. Both Bills were approved by the Education and Pre-K committees respectively but neither made it to the floors of the Senate or House for a vote. The Drop Legislation, Senate Bill 1064, filed by Charlie Clary of Panama City and co-sponsored by Senators Victor Crist of Hillsborough, Evelyn Lynn of Ormand Beach, and Dave Aronberg of Fort Myers, would have extended the DROP for administrators an addition three years. The companion House Bill 659 filed by Ralph Arza of Miami and co-sponsored by Faye Culp and Bob Henriquez of Hillsborough, Charlie Justin from Pinellas, Ron Regan of Sarasota, and Adam Hasner of Delray Beach would have also extended the DROP. Both Bills were approved by several committees but also never made it to the Senate or House floors for a vote.
Now is the time for all of us to thank those legislators from our districts that either filed or co-sponsored our three legislative priorities. We need to let them know that we appreciate their support and hope that we can count on them again in the future. We also need to let FASA know that we appreciate all they did in trying to get these three priorities passed. Although FASA was not successful in getting the Health Insurance Supplement, the DROP, and the Re-Employment Bills passed, FASA’s hard work was responsible for getting the legislation passed that will in the long run help administrators do their job. The additional revenue that the legislature allocated to the local districts will certainly filter down as extra benefits for all school administrators. In the next several weeks we should be getting a full report from FASA of all the favorable legislation that was passed and the unfavorable legislation that was prevented from passing. We need to put this year behind us now and start planning for next year. School administrators need to consider what our strategy should be in preparing for the 2007 Florida Legislative Session. Do we continue advocating for the same three or four legislative priorities? Should we select only one or two priorities and focus all our energy on only these priorities? Should we consider changing priorities? In doing this reassessment we will need the help and counsel of FASA our state parent association. We need to start our dialogue now and begin setting strategies that we can pursue in the coming weeks. FASA can help the local associations understand what issues are doable and those that are not realistic with the political climate that now prevails in Tallahassee. FASA can also help support grass roots advocacy by providing some helpful talking points that administrators can use as they interact with their local legislators. Local administrators associations must intensify their efforts to build positive relationships with their respective legislative delegation members. School and district administrators must go out of their way to invite legislators to their places of work to show them the good work that is being done. Legislators need to understand that good schools require good teachers as well as good leaders in the administrative ranks. Local associations must also continue to promote the establishment of Political Action Committees, PACs, so that we can support those present and aspiring legislators that understand and support public school education. We cannot expect legislators to support us if we are not ready to support them in their efforts to get elected into office. HILLSBOROUGH ADMINSTRATORS MUST THANK
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