And Check...The Florida Senate Makes A Move

I'm continuing my coverage of the Florida Legislature today, with updates and inside information about the ongoings.

Speaking about the budget, one Lawmaker said, on the condition of anonymity, "I think the bubble of Tallahassee is really seeing it, not realizing that people are going to ask if you're crazy [when you go back home]." So, as you can see, there's still some real chaos going on in Florida, fortunately the State Senate seems to have called 'check' on some of the more insane items. Too bad it's not 'check mate.'

Florida's still debating whether to separate church and state but it's moving closer to that inevitable divorce. Today, the famed 'Jesus' License Plate was all but killed. Yet, the 'Cross' License Plate still lives.

Who, you ask, is responsible for this blasphemy? State Senator Ronda Storms of District 10, pictured below:

I'll reiterate what Amy Hollyfield wrote "Storms' amendment was to create an "I Believe" license plate to benefit Faith in Teaching, an Orlando company that funds faith-based programs at schools." And that 'Faith in Teaching' company, it's website no longer exists and, as far as anyone can tell, the "company" existed only to promote the License Plate. It's time to ramp up the public pressure to kill this nonsense.

In other news, it doesn't look likely that there will be a (Florida) Constitutional Amendment on the 2010 ballot to attempt to subvert the (Federal) Employee Free Choice Act which is expected to pass this year.

Also, it's not likely that another attempt to redress the 'Class Size (Reduction) Amendment' will make it on the ballot in 2010. Currently, the Class Size in Florida Schools is limited by Constitutional Amendment with the specifications: (1) Prekindergarten through grade 3, 18 students; (2) grades 4 through 8, 22 students; and (3) grades 9 through 12, 25 students. This has a been a contentious debate with much ink being spilled over it.

But, in bad news, Bright Futures funding is in serious trouble. "This Florida Lottery-funded scholarship rewards students for their academic achievements during high school by providing funding for them to pursue postsecondary educational and career goals in Florida." Unfortunately, its funding does not currently account for tuition increases so next year, when tuition goes up at State Universities, funding will only cover part of tuition instead of all of tuition. This will be an unpleasant surprise for students and their families next year.

Also, the Energy Bill was passed by the State Senate with a slight change. Instead of 'renewable energy' standards, 'clean energy' standards will be implemented. The only difference? 'Clean energy' includes nuclear energy while 'renewable' does not. By 2020 20% of Florida's energy will, in theory, be 'clean' with 15% of that be 'renewable' while 5% can be nuclear. Of course, all 20% may be 'renewable' but up to 5% can be nuclear.

Natch Greyes is a Democrat running for Senate in 2020. His campaign platform may be found at natchgreyes.com Sphere: Related Content