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The Foundation for Florida’s Future awarded an A+ to your Representative, Stephen Precourt, for his legislative leadership to improve the quality of education for Sunshine State students.
Thanks to the courageous leadership of the Florida Legislature, education in the Sunshine State has gone from the bottom in the nation to a model for the nation.
In 2010, lawmakers advanced legislation to raise graduation standards to prepare students for college and careers, expand school choice to more Florida students, create a dynamic workforce of educators, and reward teachers for student achievement.
Visit www.AFloridaPromise.org to learn more about what's happening in education in Florida.
The Foundation for Florida’s Future, a public policy organization led by former Governor Jeb Bush, is advancing reforms to make education in Florida a model for the nation.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
2010 Legislative Report Card - FL Chamber of Commerce
The Florida Chamber of Commerce released its 2010 Legislative Report Card and I am pleased to let announce that I received a grade of 100.
The Florida Chamber's Legislative Report Card is more than just a list of grades given to each legislator. The online version of the 2010 Legislative Report Card offers you an in-depth look at how I and each legislator voted on the issues that matter to your business during this year's session.
If you have any questions about this or any other legislative issue, please contact me.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Session Wrap Up
The 2010 Legislature concluded Friday April 30th as required by the Florida constitution, by passing a balanced, responsible budget.
Our budget this year focused on the economy, jobs, and cost control. We tried to ensure that ensures Florida is well-poised for job creation and the return to a more prosperous economy. The Legislature avoided new taxes and protected public school funding, increased higher education funding, and prioritized Health Care funding for the most vulnerable of our citizens.
One of the House’s top priority this Session was recharging Florida’s economy and putting Floridians back to work. No job this year has been more important to Florida’s families and economic future. The House has passed a $203 million jobs package designed to make our state more economically competitive and encourage companies to invest in our state and hire Floridians.
o Tax credits for companies hiring unemployed workers.
o Package favors Florida companies hiring Florida workers.
o Millions to help attract private aerospace contractors and to help transition NASA workers in the wake of the shuttle program’s discontinuance by the Obama Administration.
o Attractive incentive package to bring the film and entertainment industry to Florida (the companion bill to HB 697 which I filed).
The House put forward a meaningful amendment to “Right Size the Class Size” amendment. Principals, Superintendents, and teachers should have flexibility in how they meet the class size requirements so they can focus on student achievement rather than how to restructure their classrooms. It’s now up to the voters to decide on the November ballot.
The House passed meaningful standards for our students to help them be better able to compete in the global marketplace for the high-paying careers of the future. The global economy is changing and we owe it to our students to make sure they are prepared to be successful. That starts with more focus on math and sciences and greater emphasis on making sure our children are learning to read and reading to learn. In the past, Florida’s students could earn a high school diploma and still not meet the minimum college admissions requirements for any state university. For those who do enter college, a lack of rigor in high school adds up: 55-percent of students entering Florida’s colleges and universities require remediation in reading, writing and math, costing $130 million in 2005-2006. Governor Crist already signed this legislation into law.
I also sponsored innovative legislation to create Property Assessed Clean Energy financing (PACE), making lower cost and more readily available financing for Floridians, for improvements to their home and businesses. This can also help create jobs in the renewable energy industry and make it easier for Floridians to adopt renewable energy technology and make wind hardening safety improvements.
PACE is a no-subsidy, no-mandate, no-cost to taxpayers, consumer opt-in approach that can bring clean energy technology and windstorm hardening improvements to homeowners and businesses while creating jobs for Floridians. Many families in Florida are struggling to pay their utility bills or ever-increasing homeowners’ insurance costs because they lack the ability to mitigate those costs through energy efficiency or the hardening of their homes against storms. By helping consumers finance the upfront costs for energy improvements, local governments that choose to participate can help remove the largest obstacle to homeowners who want to make their homes more energy efficient and save money.
Our budget this year focused on the economy, jobs, and cost control. We tried to ensure that ensures Florida is well-poised for job creation and the return to a more prosperous economy. The Legislature avoided new taxes and protected public school funding, increased higher education funding, and prioritized Health Care funding for the most vulnerable of our citizens.
One of the House’s top priority this Session was recharging Florida’s economy and putting Floridians back to work. No job this year has been more important to Florida’s families and economic future. The House has passed a $203 million jobs package designed to make our state more economically competitive and encourage companies to invest in our state and hire Floridians.
o Tax credits for companies hiring unemployed workers.
o Package favors Florida companies hiring Florida workers.
o Millions to help attract private aerospace contractors and to help transition NASA workers in the wake of the shuttle program’s discontinuance by the Obama Administration.
o Attractive incentive package to bring the film and entertainment industry to Florida (the companion bill to HB 697 which I filed).
The House put forward a meaningful amendment to “Right Size the Class Size” amendment. Principals, Superintendents, and teachers should have flexibility in how they meet the class size requirements so they can focus on student achievement rather than how to restructure their classrooms. It’s now up to the voters to decide on the November ballot.
The House passed meaningful standards for our students to help them be better able to compete in the global marketplace for the high-paying careers of the future. The global economy is changing and we owe it to our students to make sure they are prepared to be successful. That starts with more focus on math and sciences and greater emphasis on making sure our children are learning to read and reading to learn. In the past, Florida’s students could earn a high school diploma and still not meet the minimum college admissions requirements for any state university. For those who do enter college, a lack of rigor in high school adds up: 55-percent of students entering Florida’s colleges and universities require remediation in reading, writing and math, costing $130 million in 2005-2006. Governor Crist already signed this legislation into law.
I also sponsored innovative legislation to create Property Assessed Clean Energy financing (PACE), making lower cost and more readily available financing for Floridians, for improvements to their home and businesses. This can also help create jobs in the renewable energy industry and make it easier for Floridians to adopt renewable energy technology and make wind hardening safety improvements.
PACE is a no-subsidy, no-mandate, no-cost to taxpayers, consumer opt-in approach that can bring clean energy technology and windstorm hardening improvements to homeowners and businesses while creating jobs for Floridians. Many families in Florida are struggling to pay their utility bills or ever-increasing homeowners’ insurance costs because they lack the ability to mitigate those costs through energy efficiency or the hardening of their homes against storms. By helping consumers finance the upfront costs for energy improvements, local governments that choose to participate can help remove the largest obstacle to homeowners who want to make their homes more energy efficient and save money.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Biodiesel Fuel Bill Cutting Red Tape for Florida’s Students Passes Legislature
Tallahassee, FL – Rep. Steve Precourt applauded the Florida Legislature today for unanimously passing SB 1730, Biodiesel Fuel. Precourt’s House companion bill, HB 1065 passed the House on Wednesday; this legislation exempts secondary schools from certain filing requirements.
This legislation was brought to sponsors Representative Steve Precourt and Senator Steve Oelrich by several incredibly bright high school students who attend The Oak Hall School in Gainesville, Florida.
“This legislation will remove the bureaucratic red tape that was slowing down an innovative biofuel project conceived by some of Florida’s brightest students,” said Representative Steve Precourt. “We should be doing everything we can to encourage our youth to pursue clean energy projects, and it’s rewarding to see this much needed fix come to fruition.”
The Oak Hall students started a project where they built a biodiesel processor to turn everyday household cooking products, such as used vegetable oil, into biodiesel fuel that can run in the school’s lawn equipment. Currently, the students are required to submit a monthly report to the Florida Department of Revenue regardless if any biodiesel is produced or not, according to Chapter 206 in Florida Statute. Furthermore, the school must pay a tax on each gallon produced. The school is permitted to file for an annual refund on the taxes collected during the previous year. This legislation exempts secondary schools that produce 1,000 gallons or less of biodiesel fuel per year, for the sole use of the school, from the monthly filing requirement and the tax payment. This exemption will allow high school students to produce new, clean energy without being continually burdened by too much government.
This bill now goes to the Governor for signing.
###
This legislation was brought to sponsors Representative Steve Precourt and Senator Steve Oelrich by several incredibly bright high school students who attend The Oak Hall School in Gainesville, Florida.
“This legislation will remove the bureaucratic red tape that was slowing down an innovative biofuel project conceived by some of Florida’s brightest students,” said Representative Steve Precourt. “We should be doing everything we can to encourage our youth to pursue clean energy projects, and it’s rewarding to see this much needed fix come to fruition.”
The Oak Hall students started a project where they built a biodiesel processor to turn everyday household cooking products, such as used vegetable oil, into biodiesel fuel that can run in the school’s lawn equipment. Currently, the students are required to submit a monthly report to the Florida Department of Revenue regardless if any biodiesel is produced or not, according to Chapter 206 in Florida Statute. Furthermore, the school must pay a tax on each gallon produced. The school is permitted to file for an annual refund on the taxes collected during the previous year. This legislation exempts secondary schools that produce 1,000 gallons or less of biodiesel fuel per year, for the sole use of the school, from the monthly filing requirement and the tax payment. This exemption will allow high school students to produce new, clean energy without being continually burdened by too much government.
This bill now goes to the Governor for signing.
###
PRESS RELEASE - Rep. Precourt Applauds Passage of Florida Film & Entertainment Tax Credit - Urges Governor to Sign
Tax Credit Will Lead to Immediate Job Growth for Floridians
Tallahassee, FL – Today, the Florida Legislature passed SB 1752, Economic Development, the companion bill to the Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act (HB 697) which passed the House unanimously. Sponsored by Representative Steve Precourt along with prime co-sponsors Representatives Kevin Ambler and Jennifer Carroll, the bill is a centerpiece of the Legislature’s jobs package and enjoys wide bipartisan support.
“Floridians are hurting, and the Legislature has taken a bold step forward in putting people back to work by passing this bill,” said Rep. Steve Precourt. “It’s rare that a piece of legislation can have an immediate impact, but this innovative proposal will immediately put Floridians to work in film and digital media at little cost to the taxpayer.”
In recent years, Florida’s existing film incentive program has been cut dramatically, resulting in a sharp decline in production projects lost to competing states. The bill creates a film and digital media tax credit that has a proven track record of attracting and growing the industry in other states. The production company will only receive the credit after all its payments have been verified. With the investment occurring before a credit is issued, this is a true performance-based credit.
Other key provisions include an annual cap on total credits of $53.5M for fiscal year 2010-2011, $74.5M for fiscal year 2011-2012, $38M for fiscal years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015, an increase in the base incentive amount from the 15% to 20% for major film, TV and digital media productions and an increase in the “family friendly” project enhancement from 2% to 5%. Only Florida expenditures such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies qualify.
This bill now goes to the Governor for signing.
###
Tallahassee, FL – Today, the Florida Legislature passed SB 1752, Economic Development, the companion bill to the Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act (HB 697) which passed the House unanimously. Sponsored by Representative Steve Precourt along with prime co-sponsors Representatives Kevin Ambler and Jennifer Carroll, the bill is a centerpiece of the Legislature’s jobs package and enjoys wide bipartisan support.
“Floridians are hurting, and the Legislature has taken a bold step forward in putting people back to work by passing this bill,” said Rep. Steve Precourt. “It’s rare that a piece of legislation can have an immediate impact, but this innovative proposal will immediately put Floridians to work in film and digital media at little cost to the taxpayer.”
In recent years, Florida’s existing film incentive program has been cut dramatically, resulting in a sharp decline in production projects lost to competing states. The bill creates a film and digital media tax credit that has a proven track record of attracting and growing the industry in other states. The production company will only receive the credit after all its payments have been verified. With the investment occurring before a credit is issued, this is a true performance-based credit.
Other key provisions include an annual cap on total credits of $53.5M for fiscal year 2010-2011, $74.5M for fiscal year 2011-2012, $38M for fiscal years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015, an increase in the base incentive amount from the 15% to 20% for major film, TV and digital media productions and an increase in the “family friendly” project enhancement from 2% to 5%. Only Florida expenditures such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies qualify.
This bill now goes to the Governor for signing.
###
Monday, April 26, 2010
Session Update
Legislators received an updated economic forecast from the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference. State economists revealed in their forecast of tax collections that for the year ahead that while the state economy is showing a slight improvement, Florida will continue to face a budget shortfall of as much as $3.2 billion. The good news from the report was that for the first time in three years we expect to see positive economic growth in the weeks ahead. But that growth is nowhere near the level we saw just a few years ago meaning we will continue to face difficult economic challenges here in Florida.
With those facts in mind, my House colleagues and I remain committed to continuing to work hard on crafting a responsible, common-sense budget that reflects Florida’s economic realities without burdening Florida’s families or businesses with new taxes.
In these times when big government continues to invade the private lives of our citizens, it is critical that we explore the constitutionality of big government’s actions. With this goal in mind, House Joint Resolution (HJR) 37, known as the Health Care Freedom Act, continues to move through the legislative process. The measure is a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to ensure that Floridians' rights are not abridged by overreaching and invasive government mandates on their private health care decisions as mandated by the recent Federal Health Care Reform legislation passed in Washington and signed by President Obama. HJR 37 passed the House Floor on Thursday.
In order to provide a first-rate learning experience for our children, we must have policies that are practical and applicable. I voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution 2, Class Size Requirements for Public Schools. This legislation will change the way class size limits are calculated; providing school districts with the flexibility as it relates to the Class Size Amendment. By right sizing the Class Size Amendment, school districts will have the flexibility to focus on student gains and reward excellent teachers as we endeavor to provide our children with a world-class education taught by world-class teachers.
The Florida House of Representatives website, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/, is a useful tool to track and research filed legislation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at Steve.Precourt@myfloridahouse.gov with any questions on legislation or policy.
With those facts in mind, my House colleagues and I remain committed to continuing to work hard on crafting a responsible, common-sense budget that reflects Florida’s economic realities without burdening Florida’s families or businesses with new taxes.
In these times when big government continues to invade the private lives of our citizens, it is critical that we explore the constitutionality of big government’s actions. With this goal in mind, House Joint Resolution (HJR) 37, known as the Health Care Freedom Act, continues to move through the legislative process. The measure is a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to ensure that Floridians' rights are not abridged by overreaching and invasive government mandates on their private health care decisions as mandated by the recent Federal Health Care Reform legislation passed in Washington and signed by President Obama. HJR 37 passed the House Floor on Thursday.
In order to provide a first-rate learning experience for our children, we must have policies that are practical and applicable. I voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution 2, Class Size Requirements for Public Schools. This legislation will change the way class size limits are calculated; providing school districts with the flexibility as it relates to the Class Size Amendment. By right sizing the Class Size Amendment, school districts will have the flexibility to focus on student gains and reward excellent teachers as we endeavor to provide our children with a world-class education taught by world-class teachers.
The Florida House of Representatives website, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/, is a useful tool to track and research filed legislation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at Steve.Precourt@myfloridahouse.gov with any questions on legislation or policy.
My Florida Census
With the 2010 Census underway, the Florida House of Representatives has launched http://www.myfloridacensus.gov/ to assist with Florida’s efforts to obtain a complete count of every person in Florida, and we need your help.
You are probably well aware of the many positive impacts of a complete and accurate count. For example, the Census helps to shape the future of child care, senior care, schools, job training centers, hospitals, emergency services and more.
MyFloridaCensus.gov is a simple online tool that allows anyone in Florida to tell us whether or not they have been counted in the 2010 Census. With that information in hand, the Florida House of Representatives is able to work with other Census partners to help analyze (and thereby minimize) which streets, neighborhoods and communities may go missed in the 2010 Census.
In order to make MyFloridaCensus.gov a valuable tool in our efforts to count everyone in Florida, we are asking that you do three simple things:
1. Visit http://www.myfloridacensus.gov/;
2. Tell us whether or not have you have been counted; and
3. Help spread the word by telling others to visit http://www.myfloridacensus.gov/.
You are probably well aware of the many positive impacts of a complete and accurate count. For example, the Census helps to shape the future of child care, senior care, schools, job training centers, hospitals, emergency services and more.
MyFloridaCensus.gov is a simple online tool that allows anyone in Florida to tell us whether or not they have been counted in the 2010 Census. With that information in hand, the Florida House of Representatives is able to work with other Census partners to help analyze (and thereby minimize) which streets, neighborhoods and communities may go missed in the 2010 Census.
In order to make MyFloridaCensus.gov a valuable tool in our efforts to count everyone in Florida, we are asking that you do three simple things:
1. Visit http://www.myfloridacensus.gov/;
2. Tell us whether or not have you have been counted; and
3. Help spread the word by telling others to visit http://www.myfloridacensus.gov/.
Constituent Corner - DOR
The Agency I would like to familiarize you with this week is the Department of Revenue (DOR).
The Florida Department of Revenue has three primary lines of business:
Child Support Enforcement Help parents provide the financial support their children need and deserve.
General Tax Administration Collect state taxes fairly and efficiently, and make complying with Florida’s tax laws as simple and convenient as possible.
Property Tax Oversight Oversee Florida’s property tax system to ensure accuracy and fairness in property valuation throughout the state.
For more information on DOR, please visit www.myflorida.com/dor/
The Florida Department of Revenue has three primary lines of business:
Child Support Enforcement Help parents provide the financial support their children need and deserve.
General Tax Administration Collect state taxes fairly and efficiently, and make complying with Florida’s tax laws as simple and convenient as possible.
Property Tax Oversight Oversee Florida’s property tax system to ensure accuracy and fairness in property valuation throughout the state.
For more information on DOR, please visit www.myflorida.com/dor/
Friday, March 5, 2010
Session Update - Week 1
Legislative Session began Tuesday, March 2, 2010. The House wasted no time, beginning business on opening day by voting on Council Substitute for House Bill (CS/HB) 7033, sponsored by Representatives Dave Murzin (R-Pensacola) and Jennifer Carroll (R- Fleming Island). CS/HB 7033 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 by covering up to 8 additional weeks for claimants. Approximately 20,000 Floridians would be eligible to receive extended benefits. This bill was signed by the Governor before his State of the State Address Tuesday night. Please call my office with any questions regarding this worthwhile legislation.
Constituent Corner
The Agency I would like to familiarize you with this week is the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI).
I have also seen movement on several bills that I have filed. HB 697, relating to the Entertainment Industry and Economic Development, was heard in the Economic Development Policy Committee and passed unanimously with overwhelming support. This bill creates a film and digital media tax credit for Florida-only expenditures, such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies. Credits cannot be claimed until tax returns for 2012 or later, ensuring not $1 of credits will be claimed or issued in the upcoming budget. This act will generate substantial revenue and create thousands of jobs while boosting ancillary businesses. This bill will be heard in Finance and Tax Committee
HB 701, relating to Design Professionals, is another bill I have sponsored which passed its second committee stop. The next stop is the Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council.
The Florida House of Representatives website, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/, is a useful tool to track and research filed legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Steve.Precourt@myfloridahouse.gov with any questions on legislation or policy.
Also, if you have any problems reading my newsletter formats, check out my new “Updates” blog by clicking here or by visiting http://www.precourtupdates.blogspot.com/. On this site I will be posting my updates, as well as relevant press releases and issues, make sure to ‘follow’ it!HB 701, relating to Design Professionals, is another bill I have sponsored which passed its second committee stop. The next stop is the Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council.
The Florida House of Representatives website, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/, is a useful tool to track and research filed legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Steve.Precourt@myfloridahouse.gov with any questions on legislation or policy.
Pre Session Survey
It’s not too late to take my Pre-Session Survey! Though Session has already begun, the input provided from this survey has been invaluable to me. Thank you for taking the time to fill it out and share your thoughts and concerns with me.
http://www.flhouse.us/Districts/D041/
It’s not too late to take my Pre-Session Survey! Though Session has already begun, the input provided from this survey has been invaluable to me. Thank you for taking the time to fill it out and share your thoughts and concerns with me.
http://www.flhouse.us/Districts/D041/
Constituent Corner
The Agency I would like to familiarize you with this week is the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI).
AWI is dedicated to advancing the economic well-being and self-sufficiency of all Floridians through premier early learning and workforce services. Funded primarily with federal dollars, the Agency has a total annual operating budget of approximately $1.5 billion. Driven by the needs of Florida businesses, AWI partners with a dynamic statewide system to offer high quality, comprehensive early learning, unemployment and workforce services. Together, through these programs and partnerships, AWI prepares Floridians of all ages today for the jobs of tomorrow.
- Early Learning Services - AWI’s Office of Early Learning (OEL) is responsible for implementation of the state’s Child Care Resource and Referral, School Readiness, and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs. AWI’s OEL works to support families and ensure children have quality early learning opportunities. The Office has a network of community child care resources, early learning coalitions and referral service providers in every county in Florida.
- Unemployment Compensation Services- Through the unemployment insurance program, AWI provides temporary wage replacement benefits to Floridians who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Unemployed workers can use the Employ Florida Marketplace to find their next job or career field.
- Workforce Services - AWI is the Governor’s agency for disbursement of federal workforce funds. Florida’s workforce system ensures that Florida’s businesses can hire the well-trained workers they need. Through these programs Floridians have the opportunity to upgrade their skills and obtain jobs that allow them to become economically self-sufficient and competitive in a knowledge-based economy.
Around the District
My wife, Lisa, and I were honored to be recognized on February 20, 2010 by the Florida Family Network on Disabilities' at 4th Annual Heart and Hope Statewide Conference with the Heart Award. Over 125 families, self-advocates and professionals in the disability field attended and received information through workshops such as "Positive Behavior Supports", "Response to Intervention (RTI): What Parents Need to Know", "Disability Awareness", "Planning Is Crucial: Wills, Trusts & Guardianships", "It's a Better IDEIA", "Transition Planning with Sticky Notes" and much more.
Pictured Above: Executive Director Richard LaBelle, Lisa Precourt, Rep. Steve Precourt
Monday, March 1, 2010
February 12th Update
The 2010 Legislative Session will begin on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. This Legislative Session will have considerable obstacles, most notably the budget. The legislature has, and will continue to, make Education, Health and Human Services, and Criminal Justice priorities within our budget.
I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to contact my office with your suggestions and concerns, the Legislature is currently reviewing the Governor’s budget proposals and awaiting the results of the upcoming Revenue Estimating Conference. I encourage you all to remain involved and aware during this important process.
I have filed several bills in anticipation of the Legislative session. One of the Legislature’s top priorities remains recharging Florida’s economy and getting Floridians back to work. Keeping this in mind, I have filed HB 697 relating to the Entertainment Industry and Economic Development. This bill creates a film and digital media tax credit for Florida-only expenditures, such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies. Credits cannot be claimed until tax returns for 2012 or later, ensuring not $1 of credits will be claimed or issued in the upcoming budget. This act will generate substantial revenue and create thousands of jobs while boosting ancillary businesses.
The Florida House of Representatives website, www.myfloridahouse.gov, is a useful tool to track and research filed legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Steve.Precourt@myfloridahouse.gov with any questions on legislation or policy.
I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to contact my office with your suggestions and concerns, the Legislature is currently reviewing the Governor’s budget proposals and awaiting the results of the upcoming Revenue Estimating Conference. I encourage you all to remain involved and aware during this important process.
I have filed several bills in anticipation of the Legislative session. One of the Legislature’s top priorities remains recharging Florida’s economy and getting Floridians back to work. Keeping this in mind, I have filed HB 697 relating to the Entertainment Industry and Economic Development. This bill creates a film and digital media tax credit for Florida-only expenditures, such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies. Credits cannot be claimed until tax returns for 2012 or later, ensuring not $1 of credits will be claimed or issued in the upcoming budget. This act will generate substantial revenue and create thousands of jobs while boosting ancillary businesses.
The Florida House of Representatives website, www.myfloridahouse.gov, is a useful tool to track and research filed legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Steve.Precourt@myfloridahouse.gov with any questions on legislation or policy.
Pre Session Survey
Please take a few moments by clicking on the link below and filling out my pre-session survey. These questions will cover some of the major policy considerations that will be debated this spring, your thoughts and concerns are vital in making these important decisions. If you have any questions or concerns, please call my office or email me. A comment section is also available on the survey.
http://www.flhouse.us/Districts/D041/
Constituent Corner
I have found recently that when many of you contact my office, you are unsure of the areas in which we can help you. I have created this section of my newsletter to give you brief overviews of the different state agencies and the ways in which my office can assist you. I want to begin with one of the state’s busiest agencies, and one which we get the most calls about, the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The Mission Statement of DCF is to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.
One of the main topics we get calls on is DCF’s ACCESS program which includes Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, and Medicaid. Here is some general information on these programs:
- Temporary Cash Assistance – Provides cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 or under the age of 19 if full time secondary school students, which meet the technical, income, and asset requirements. The program helps families become self-supporting while allowing children to remain in their own homes
- Food Stamps – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called Food Stamp Program) helps low-income individuals and families that meet the technical, income and asset requirements of the program to buy the food they need for good health
- Medicaid – The Medicaid Program provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families that meet the technical, income and asset requirements of the program. The Agency for Health Care Administration administers Medicaid services, while the Department of Children and Families determines Medicaid eligibility
For more information on DCF’s many programs, please visit http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web/ or call 1-866-762-2237.
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