Seth McKeel

Budget 2012-2013 Update

Seth McKeel — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:52:04 +0000

This Session my colleagues and I were presented with the difficult task of creating a balanced budget while facing a $1.8 Billion shortfall. Unlike the Federal Government, the Florida Legislature is Constitutionally obligated to pass a balanced budget. Thankfully this year the shortfall was smaller compared to the shortfall of $4.6 Billion that we faced during the 2011 Legislative Session. Creating a balanced budget is vital to the success of our state. As many other states comparative in size to Florida are facing very realistic debt problems, Florida has been upgraded to a stable AAA bond rating, resulting in lower interest rates, and potentially saving our taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Appropriations Committees, we produced a realistic and stable budget that offered achievable cuts so that we could prioritize our needs without raising taxes on Florida’s hardworking families and businesses. I have attached a chart below that shows the main focuses of the allotment of General Revenue Funds for this years budget. As usual, education and health care are where the main bulk of the General Revenue Funds are spent.

Budget Fast Facts

PreK-12 Education spending saw an increase of $1.1 billion dollars or 12.2% in general revenue from 2011-2012.
Provides $13.7 million in General Revenue and $6.9 million in trust funds to fund a 6.9 percent increase in employer and retiree health insurance premiums to ensure sufficient funding of the State Group Insurance Health Plan
Appropriates $40.7 million in federal trust funds for numerous state agency domestic security projects.
Provides $5.8 million in General Revenue in state match for federally declared disaster funds
Budget Fast Facts

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Education Update

Seth McKeel — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:49:05 +0000

My commitment to provide all students in Florida the opportunity to earn a world-class education did not waver during the difficult economic times facing our state. I am proud that we continue to place a high priority on education, and increased PreK-12 education funding by $1.1 billion this year. This was one of the Governor’s main priorities, and I am ecstatic that we accomplished this goal and are providing increased resources for the future generations of Floridians.

This year we sought to reform Florida’s higher education system and provided exceptional universities the flexibility to set tuition at differentiated and market rates that will allow them to achieve specific research goals, hire outstanding instructors and establish instructional programs that distinguish these universities from their national peers. Comparative to other State’s Universities, Florida universities are an incredible value. This reform will benefit the universities substantially in many different areas all while still providing an affordable education to the citizens of Florida.

Florida Polytechnic (SB 1994: Higher Education)

Seth McKeel — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:48:18 +0000

This past session, Florida Polytechnic was given legislative approval through SB 1994. This was a highly debated topic in both Chambers. Creating a Polytechnic University is extremely important to our state. The State University System remains at a very low level for STEM graduates. STEM programs are essential for job creation. There is no better place for Florida’s first Polytechnic University than Polk County, and I am pleased the Legislature decided to fully fund the transition to Polytechnic independence. Throughout the process, I have listened to the students and faculty and have worked to ensure that all students currently enrolled in USF Polytechnic can finish their degree and receive a USF degree. The bill ensures a fair and smooth transition to an independent Polytechnic in Polk. Below are some bulleted factsregarding the creation of Florida Polytechnic included in this legislation.

Requires Florida Polytechnic University to meet the milestones in the Board of Governor’s motion by December 31, 2016.
Requires USF to allow current USF Polytechnic students to complete their degree at USF.
Requires USF to retain the current faculty and staff, except for faculty and staff of the Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute which are transferred to the new Florida Polytechnic University.
Requires USF to transfer Polytechnic-related foundation funds to a new Florida Polytechnic University foundation after obtaining donor consent.
Requires Florida Polytechnic University to allow the University of South Florida to use space at the Lakeland joint-use facility pursuant to a mutual agreement for the purpose of continuing the local education of existing USF Polytechnic students. Florida Polytechnic University shall transfer space at the Lakeland joint-use facility to Polk State College as new space becomes available on the new campus of Florida Polytechnic University.
Appropriates $6 million in recurring funds for USF College of Pharmacy.
Appropriates $10 million in recurring funds for USF for the purpose of allowing students enrolled in USF Polytechnic to complete their degrees at USF. This funding is contingent upon USF implementing the transfers required in the bill and upon USF maintaining full campus and program operations, including the retention of current faculty and staff of USF Polytechnic until June 30, 2012

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Reform

Seth McKeel — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:46:53 +0000

Accident fraud is a growing problem in Florida. This year, in conjunction with the Senate and the Governor, we reformed Florida’s Personal Injury Protection law to address major cost drivers in the current No-Fault motor vehicle insurance system. This legislation will help to ensure Floridians aren’t picking up the cost of these unscrupulous actors and makes meaningful changes in attacking fraud, controlling overutilization, focusing on promptly treating people for their serious injuries and reducing litigation costs. This legislation Protects consumers by limiting the opportunities and incentives for providing unnecessary care and also requires insurers to file new rates with the Office of Insurance Regulation to reflect the cost savings achieved by the legislation which ultimately will lower Floridians auto insurance costs.

Redistricting

Seth McKeel — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:45:16 +0000

Once-a-decade the Legislature is constitutionally required to redraw Florida’s political district lines. With the help of Floridians, including over 175 map submissions from citizens from every corner of the state, the House Redistricting Committee produced maps that met state and federal standards. I firmly believe our open and transparent process has resulted in a better product for Florida.

The House map was the product of an unprecedented level of public outreach, committee meetings with members on both sides of the aisle and a careful and thorough review of our constitutional redistricting requirements. Our map prioritized sound principles over politics and I’m proud of my colleagues for producing a legally compliant map that accurately reflects the wishes of residents from around the state

Rep. McKeel Provides Plan for USF Polytechnic Students

Seth McKeel — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Read the entire article from WTSP here.

Higher Education Cuts Response

Seth McKeel — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:22:09 +0000

I have been asked a lot this past week about the actions of the Senate as it relates to ITS budget, ITS conforming bills affecting higher education and the legislature’s impending budget conference.?? I think it is incumbent on me to put some perspective on this bicameral process through which we govern. And I could not be prouder of the Florida House, where I serve. This is the second year in a row that the legislature has balanced a budget eclipsing an enormous deficit without raising taxes. That may not seem herculean to some, but apparently neither Washington, DC, nor a host of other states in fiscal crisis have figured it out.

Yes, we will have closed more than $6 billion worth of shortfalls in the last 2 years without raising taxes or fees on small businesses who are struggling to make payroll, and, in fairness, the Senate has been our partner in that effort. That brings us to this year, when the Florida House has already completed our two constitutional responsibilities of passing a balanced budget and a fair reapportionment plan. The House, where I serve, passed our budget two weeks ago. It, again, balances the budget without raising taxes, and it contains fair treatment of all universities, which seems to be the issue contained in the majority of emails to my office this week. The Senate has not done so as of yet.

We are assuming that the Senate will pass their budget this week. We will then conference with them to hopefully arrive at an un-amendable conference report that can pass both chambers in time for session to end on March 9th. But that budget conference report should conform to our principles in the House, while not raising taxes and treating all Universities equally. So I wish to be very clear: I am proud of the actions of the Florida House and I can only speak for or be held accountable for the actions of this House, where I work. I will not be held accountable for the actions of the other chamber where I don’t have a vote. I am sorry if many folks at home are upset with the Senate, but I thought it would be helpful to highlight the actions of the House, which, in my view, are balanced and reasonable, but have clearly been lost in the conversation.

As it relates to my position on USF as we head in to conference I want to be abundantly clear. I strongly support the position of the House regarding funding for higher education and equal funding for USF specifically. And I have for a long time and still do support an independent polytechnic in Polk.

In retrospect, I have served in the House during record breaking budget shortfalls. The state has never seen 5 straight years of declining revenue and we have met that challenge while protecting the state’s AAA bond rating saving taxpayers hundreds of millions in interest each year. Of the four large states, I believe Florida is in the strongest fiscal position coming out of this recession because we have balanced our budget responsibly and made tough decisions. I wish the traditional media told that the full story but their mission is different, causing a focus on that which divides communities rather than that which unites. I can’t help that. But what I can tell you is that I will continue to prioritize fiscal responsibility, accountability and a healthy respect for this bicameral legislature in which I serve.

University of Florida Day at the Capital

Seth McKeel — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:53:11 +0000

Last Wednesday, the halls of the Capitol were filled with proud UF alumni from all over the state. As the chair of the Gator Caucus, my office and I spent considerable time planning and partaking in the festivities. I had the distinct honor of speaking to a group of 50 plus students from Blue Key in the House Chamber in the morning. They had some very insightful questions and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. The evening consisted of a fantastic reception in which I was able to speak with multiple young alumni, board members, and President Machen. Go Gators!

Tallahassee Update from Rep. McKeel Feb 07, 2012

Seth McKeel — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:33:05 +0000

Another busy week has come and passed here in Tallahassee. As I approach the halfway point of this year’s legislative session, it is easy to see how productive we have been in the House of Representatives thus far. Last week we completed our redistricting efforts on the House floor. I would like to commend Chair Weatherford, his committee, and staff for completing this once in a decade process with unparalleled transparency and record public input. While I have great reservation about the Florida Senate Map drawn by the Senate, I could not be more proud of the House’s effort. Also this week I was thrilled to have multiple members of the Polk County community visit. Next week, I’m looking forward to seeing even more of my constituents during Polk County Day on Wednesday. If you are in the Tallahassee area, feel free to stop by the office to say hello!

Numeric Nutrient Criteria

Seth McKeel — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:32:07 +0000

Over the last couple weeks, the State Affairs Committee staff and I have worked hard on the Numeric Nutrient Criteria issue facing our state. The issue as presented in HB7051 surrounds the amount of nutrients, most notably nitrogen and phosphorus, in Florida’s bodies of water. An overabundance of these nutrients can have a negative impact on the ecosystem causing issues like bad tasting drinking water, an overgrowth of algae or aquatic weeds, and harmful effects to native plants. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized rules that would impose federal numeric nutrient criteria on Florida’s lakes and springs as well as flowing waters located outside of south Florida. These rules are scheduled to take effect in March 2012. I believe, as drafted, the EPA’s ruling places an unfair burden on Florida taxpayers and is not contemplative of the unique nature of Florida’s water bodies. The Clean Water Act allows Florida to adopt its own rules imposing nutrient limits to replace the federal rules created by the EPA, as long as Florida’s proposed criteria are found to be consistent with the Clean Water Act (as determined by the EPA). With that in mind, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has proposed rules to replace the EPA’s rules. The estimated costs of implementing DEP’s rules will be substantial, but those costs are significantly less than the estimated cost to implement the federal rules scheduled to take effect in March 2012. The safety of our bodies of water in Florida is of the utmost importance and I am proud to have taken part in legislation to assure high quality water at a more controlled cost.