What is Happening Right Now Archive
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Small County Coalition Fall Meeting
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – 7:00-8:30am – Breakfast Buffet
Purpose of the Meeting:
- Welcome and Orient New Commissioners
- Receive Updates/Review Upcoming Activities
- Fill Vacant Officer Positions
- Adopt 2025 Legislative Agenda
Small County Coalition Fall Meeting – 2024 – Wednesday – December 4 – 2024 .docx
The Small County Coalition – 2025 Final Draft Legislative Program – December 2024.docx
The State Budget for 24-25 is signed, sealed and delivered.
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the 2024-25 budget (HB 5001) and released his list of line-item vetoes totaling $949,611,399.
Here are links to documents for you to dig deeper into what made and what didn’t.
Copy of Appropriations Bill – Prior to Vetoes –
General Appropriations Bill – 24-25 – Pre-Veto
2024 Budget Veto List –
Veto List of 2024-25 Budget items
Governor’s Transmittal Letter –
2024 Budget Veto Message
Pre-Veto listing of Project and Program funding –
County By County Budget Allocations in the 24-25 Budget
Governor’s Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Education
- Education Funding – FEFP Summary Report
- Governor’s Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (Bill Format) – this is word searchable to find your programs or projects
- Budget Overview
- Budget Highlights
- Budget FAQs
Presentations of the Governor’s Recommended Budget
- Brief Summary
- Total Budget Overview – $114.4 Billion
- Education
- Environment
- Transportation and Economic Development
- Health and Human Services
- Public Safety
- Military Support
- Fixed Capital Outlay Recap Nonrecurring Operating Appropriations Report
Implementing and Conforming Legislation Statewide
- Implementing the 2024-2025 General Appropriations Act
- Tax Relief for Floridians
- Florida Retirement System
Education
- Voluntary PreKindergarten Education Program
- Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program
Health and Human Services
- Adoption Subsidies
- Adults with Disabilities Adult Pathways Waiver
- Children’s Medical Services Program
- Homelessness Funding
- Independent Living Supports
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Natural Resources/Environment/Growth Management/Transportation
General Government
Important Legislative Calendar Dates
| 2023 | |
|---|---|
| December 4-8 | House and Senate Legislative Committee meetings |
| December 11–15 | House and Senate Legislative Committee meetings |
| 2024 | |
| January 9 | Legislative Session Begins |
| January 16 | Small County Coalition Legislative Reception and Briefing |
| January 17 | Florida Association of Counties Legislative Day |
| January 17 | Small School District Council Consortium Legislative Briefing |
| January 17–18 | FSBA Day in the Legislature, Tallahassee, FL |
| January 24-25 | Rural Counties Day – FREDA |
| March 8 | Legislative Session End |
Legislative Priorities of the Small County Coalition
The Small County Coalition – 2024 Legislative Program – November 2023
Legislative Priorities of the Small School District Council Consortium
SSDCC 2024 Legislative Priorities – Adopted – Final Revised – November 2023
Bills filed related to Local Governments and/or Education
The following lists of bills are being tracked because they have or may have an impact on Local Governments, Local School Districts or Public Education.
The bill numbers are active links
Bills filed by 12-4-23 – Related to Local Government
Education Related Bills Filed for Consideration by 12-4-23
Legislative Local Budget Requests
House Local Budget Projects filed
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/AppropriationProjectRequests/2024
Senate Local Budget Projects Filed
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Appropriations/FY2024-25/LocalFundingRequests
Small County Coalition Elects Officers and Presents Recognitions
The Small County Coalition held the 2023 Annual Business and Organizational Meeting this past week in Orlando in conjunction with the Florida Association of Counties Annual Meeting Over 150 commissioners and staff from Florida’s small counties attended. Attendees received reports, Presented Recognition, and Elected Officers for 23-24.
New Officers
Melendy, Hawkins, Dougherty elected to lead Coalition through
- Elected Chairperson – Russell Melendy – Hardee County
- Elected Vice-Chair – Tray Hawkins – Washington County
- Elected Secretary – Chris Dougherty – Bradford County
District Representatives
Glidewell, Moore, O’Brien, Adams, Iglesias – Elected to serve through 2025
Ricky Jones, Darryl Smith, Larry Harvey, Darryl Smith, and Michelle Lincoln will serve through 23-24
- Re-Elected – Danny Glidewell – Walton County – Representing District 1 – EC Terms
- o Representing Wakulla, Franklin, Gulf, Walton, Washington, Holmes, Santa Rosa* and Okaloosa*)
- Re-Elected – Ronnie Moore – Madison County – Representing District 2 – EC Terms
- o Hamilton, Gadsden, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, and Calhoun
- Elected – Donald O’Brien – Flagler – Representing District 3 – EC Terms 2025 o Bradford, *Clay, Columbia, Union, Baker, Nassau, Flagler, and Putnam
- Re-Elected – Anthony Adams – Lafayette– Representing District 4 – EC Terms 2025 o Gilchrist, Lafayette, Dixie, Levy, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Citrus and Hernando
- Elected – Ramon Iglesias – Hendry –Representing District 5 – EC Terms 2025 o Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River,
Okeechobee, Martin, and Monroe
Recognitions Presented
Outstanding Leadership
- Lee Constantine –President of FAC
Special Recognition
- For Legislative Testimony in Opposition to Commissioner Term Limits o Ralph Thomas – Commissioner – Wakulla County o John Meeks – Commissioner – Levy County o Matt Brooks – Commission – Levy County
For Outstanding Service
- Chair – FAC Broadband Task Force – Larry Harvey, Putnam County
- Chair – Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Committee- Susan Adams, Indian River County
- Vice- Chair – Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Committee- Kelly Owens, Okeechobee County
- Co-Vice Chair – Committee on Preemption Task Force – Mel Ponder, Okaloosa Recognition of Outstanding Assistance
- Kelli Williams – Florida Association of Counties
Recognition of Leadership by a Commission • Washington County Board of County Commissioners
The 2023 Legislative Session Adjourns
SCC – Legislative Report for the 2023 Regular Legislative Session – May 2023
Bill Summaries of 2023 Legislation that Passed
FY 2023-24 County by County Budget Allocations
Fiscally Constrained Funding – 2023-24
Links Relating to the General Appropriations Act for 23-24
Conforming Bill Conference Report
Getting Ready for the 2023 Regular Legislative Session
Key Dates
- Florida Legislative Session Convenes – March 7th
- Small County Coalition Legislative Reception–Sittig Hall – March 14
- Rural Days in the Legislature – April – 25-27
- 60th day – last day of Regular Session – May 5
Bills Filed
- Local Government Bills Filed as of 2-10-23
- Listing of Bills Filed for Consideration in the 2023 Session
Important Documents
Local Project Guidelines available
The Senate and the House have released the Guidelines and forms for seeking a local Project from the 2023 Legislature. Linked below are information released by the Senate and the House.
Senate Local Funding Initiative Form for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
2023-24 Local Funding Initiative Request Form
House Local Funding Initiative Forms
The House released the House Appropriations Project Request Form FY 2023-24 and other materials. The 2022-24 House Rules eliminate the requirement for appropriations projects to be filed as a bill, so they will no longer need to be heard in committee. Forms are due 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.
House Appropriations Project Request Form FY 2023-24 Due: 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.
REACH Act Directs Reduction of the number of Workforce Boards
CareerSource Florida is engaging a Realignment Process
CareerSource Florida is exploring approaches to aligning Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards, consistent with the charge for reducing the number of local boards under the Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act. The REACH Act seeks to achieve a more coordinated approach in delivering and using essential workforce development resources and services through enhanced alignment and accountability.
Signed into law after the 2021 Legislative Session, the REACH Act is an effort to position Florida to help people with barriers to education and employment become self-sufficient through enhanced access to good jobs and career pathways that offer economic opportunity.
The REACH Act (House Bill 1507)
House Bill 1507 Staff Analysis
CareerSource Florida REACH Act Highlights At-a-Glance
A complete overview and analysis are available at https://careersourceflorida.com/boardroom/reach-act/. This site includes an explanation of all facets of the REACH Act including the Phase 1 Report (which has been concluded), an outline for Phase 2, a full set of Questions and Answers about the processes used for developing final recommendations, and an overview of the metrics for assigning Grades to the 24 Workforce Boards. Included with this briefing are the following –
Phase One Findings Report: LWDB Alignment Evaluation
Phase Two Scope of Work: Discovery, Research, and Option Development
TAX HOLIDAYS AND EXEMPTIONS 2022-2024
The 2022 Florida Legislature passed, and Governor DeSantis signed into law, nine sales tax holidays or temporary exemptions and a motor fuel tax exemption. The calendar below details the dates for each exemption period. For more information, visit Sales Tax Holidays.
U.S.D.A. Rural Development a key component in supporting Rural Development
USDA Rural Development is the lead Federal agency helping rural communities grow and prosper. The primary focus of the Agency is to increase economic development and improve the quality of life in rural places and small towns.
CS/CS/HB 153
Homestead Property Tax Exemptions for Classroom Teachers, Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, Child Welfare Professionals, and Servicemembers