Almost all local governments will use their pension-saving windfall next year to fill budget holes. The agencies will get the money thanks to changes in the state’s pension plan contribution formula. The changes start July 1 when employees have to begin contributing 3 percent into the Florida Retirement System and the governments begin contributing less.
FRS Rules for 300,000 Change July 1st
“A number of districts have seen the number of teachers retiring nearly doubling so far,” said Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association. He attributed the spike to many factors, the changes to DROP among them, but also the merit-pay bill passed and signed into law that ends teacher tenure and bases performance evaluations in large part on standardized tests.
A week ago, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law the pension bill passed by the Legislature. Most of the changes will take years to make a difference and apply only to employees who go to work in an FRS-eligible job after July 1.
Gary Siplin’s “Pants on the Ground” Bill Passed
Students [wearing baggy pants] could be punished with removal from extracurricular activities and in-school suspension. Siplin said he pushed the measure in an effort to make sure students understood how to dress well and improve their employment prospects after they graduated.
Hiding in the Spotlight
Greg Dawson of the Orlando Sentinel wrote a compelling book in 2009. However I didn’t read it. I’ve read a number of Holocaust stories and thought this book would run along the same lines. Much to my surprise, this is quite different than I’d expected. I saw his powerful book talk presentation yesterday and now I can’t wait to read it. For starters, it offers a totally different view of the Holocaust which actually started in the Ukraine. For more information see this link to National Public Radio.
SB 830 Died!
Just had to share the news put out this morning by FEA. It’s not all good but better than it could be. FEA Frontline Report – Day 61 of the 2011 Legislative Session – Sine Die! May 7, 2011 SB 830 Dies! You last heard from us around 1:30 this morning, after Senate President Haridopolos [...]
SB 830′s Real Intent
The true intent of SB 830 revealed: Stop working Floridians from having a voice in the political and legislative process.
A secret, late-filed amendment was offered just minutes before a vote on the bill. The amendment was designed to confuse, confound and hide the fact that this legislation is nothing but an attempt to shut working Floridians out of the legislative and political process.
Proponents of this legislation claim that union members have “no right to speak up against how their union dues are being used.” They also claim that the new version of the bill will eliminate the use of taxpayers’ dollars in the collection of funds used for political purposes.
The bill actually takes away a union member’s voice in our political process.
SB 736 Update
The fate of Senate Bill 736, an SB 6 look alike, is up to Governor Scott who is expected to sign it. Republican House legislators voted unanimously this week in support of this “Teacher Quality bill.” This bill is neither for teachers not about quality
It’s Not on the Test
Just a little something to chew on while the Florida House debates SB 736 tonight. You can call 888-640-1338 to let your local legislators now to voice your opposition. You’ll enter your zip code and be automatically connected to your represenative.
What Exactly is SB 736?
The Senate passed SB 736 by a vote of 26 to 12 with Democrat Gary Siplin (Orlando) voting with the Republicans.
Republican Senators Dennis Jones (Pinellas) and Paula Dockery bucked their party leadership and voted against the bill.
The House version [HB 7019] is still in committee. Details of the bill are listed below.
