MEMORANDUM

To:                 Members of the Florida House of Representatives

From:            Will Weatherford, Speaker-designate

Date:             October 9, 2012

Re:                Appropriations Chairman

It is hard to believe that it has been more than six months since the gavel fell and we gathered in the rotunda to mark Sine Die. I am grateful to Speaker Cannon for the way he and his staff have allowed my team to conduct the transition process.  I understand and support the concept of “one Speaker at a time;” therefore, the ability to prepare and plan during the interim is appreciated.

In order to keep you as informed as possible, I write today to announce my intention to appoint Representative Seth McKeel as the Appropriations Chairman during my term as the Speaker.  Seth’s expertise and background as a small business owner, a former Lakeland City Commissioner and the previous Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee will prove to be invaluable as we manage our state’s future budget priorities.  Representative McKeel has demonstrated a commitment to putting the priorities of our state over his own interests and will serve the House well as we develop an appropriations plan in the coming months.

We have a great task before us. The constitutional responsibility to pass a balanced budget and the public duty to fund the basic needs of our state will take every ounce of thoughtful, principled, and serious effort. Seth McKeel will be a great leader by example for the next two years.

I look forward to sharing further insight at the appropriate times in the weeks ahead.

Link to The Ledger Article “Honoring Electirical Workers: Widow Instigates Lineworker Appreciation Day”

2012-2013 Budget

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.

Education

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)

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 facts regarding 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

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

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.

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

  .

• 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