This week saw the opening of the 112th Regular Session of the Florida House of Representatives since statehood was granted in 1845. Our state is facing a broad-ranging and increasingly difficult set of economic challenges, but one goal is at the top of my legislative agenda this Session - finding a way to revitalize Florida’s economy and help put Floridians back to work.

The first action taken was an effort to relieve small business owners.  The Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation that will help keep Floridians working, prevent layoffs, bring a degree of economic certainty to help create new jobs and foster economic growth in Florida. CS/HB 7033, sponsored by Representatives Dave Murzin (R-Pensacola) and Jennifer Carroll (R- Fleming Island), holds down dramatic increases in unemployment tax rates for businesses for the next two years and takes advantage of the time extension for the State Extended Benefits program.  It covers up to 8 additional weeks for claimants; therefore, approximately 20,000 Floridians would be eligible to receive extended benefits.

Committee meetings, Session, constituent meetings and various other organizational meetings filled the first week in Tallahassee. Education is and will remain one of my top priorities.  In the PreK-12 Policy Committee we heard presentations by various departments including the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Florida Department of Education, National Council on Teacher Quality, Center for American Progress and Foundation for Florida’s Future. 

I also met with the State Universities and Private Colleges Appropriations Committee this week where we received the budget allocations for higher education.  I am confident we are placing the highest priority on education, but I also know it is not only how much we spend on education that matters, how we spend it matters too.  Investing in higher education is investing in the future health of Florida’s economy.
 
Everyone agrees that a quality education is a core component of the success and economic future of our children and state. That means putting a greater emphasis on the basic building blocks of a successful education.  On Thursday, it was announced that Florida made the first-round cut in the federal Race-to-the-Top grant competition. Florida is one of 16 finalists invited to present their applications later this month.  Florida is competing for more than $4.35 billion in education grants to help continue our successful education reform efforts statewide.

In the Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee we heard four bills: