By Peter Schorsch
FloridaPolitics.com – Sixty Days
February 10, 2022
Tracking actions of the Florida Legislature during February 9, 2022
The school masking saga isn’t over. House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Randy Fine sparred with Democrats on Wednesday over a proposal he unveiled last week to shift funding away from the 12 school districts that defied the state’s anti-mask mandate policy. The so-called “Putting Parents First Adjustment” docks a collective $200 million from the pay of administrators making more than $100,000 annually and uses those dollars to boost funding for the remaining 55 districts. The adjustment comes within the Florida Education Finance Program portion of the broader $17.6 billion the House wants to spend on preK-12 education during the coming fiscal year. Democrats blasted the measure as punitive, arguing that withholding funds only harms school districts’ ability to educate students. Fine rejected that characterization, instead saying the plan holds administrators accountable. Here’s your nightly rundown.
Done deal. The House could vote on the Senate’s version of a bill (SB 7014) extending COVID-19 liability protections as soon as Thursday.
Cut bait. Dozens of South Florida anglers traveled to Tallahassee to oppose a Lake O water management bill (SB 2508).
‘Free kill’ killed. A Senate bill (SB 262) that would allow families to file medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors or hospitals when the victims are adults is all but dead.
Crackdown coming. A bill (SB 1534) upping penalties for so-called organized retail theft rings is headed to the Senate floor.
Blockchain bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a bill (SB 486) that defines how cryptocurrencies could be sold or traded by Florida money services companies.
Eight is enough? The House scrapped plans to eliminate school board member pay from an education bill (HB 1467), but it will vote on term limits for members.
Greenlight. A bill (SB 410) allowing for camera enforcement of school zone speed limits hit a couple of bumps as it rolled through its final Senate committee.
Sleight of hand? Pinellas County commissioners pushed back on a bill (HB 7061) that would put single-member seats up for election in 2022 — a measure that would exclusively affect the coastal county.
Call to arms. Inaction on an open carry bill (HB 103) this Session led to a war of words between two House Republicans.
Make it a double. A Board of Education report shows nearly 4,500 teacher vacancies statewide and expects it to hit 9,000 by the end of the year.
