Work Plan Florida 2014
During the 2014 Legislative Session, President Gaetz and Speaker Weatherford are proposing a joint House and Senate work plan for Florida. The five-point agenda includes a $500 million tax cut and bold steps to expand economic opportunity through education, support our military, protect vulnerable Floridians and improve the way government works for Florida citizens.
1. Economic Opportunity Through Education
Pathway out of poverty through education and jobs
Make Higher Education A Better Value And Within Reach For Florida Families
- Expand Education Choices For Families In Poverty
- Raise cap for Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program, add accountability measures
SB 850 signed by the Governor, June 20, 2014.
- Raise cap for Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program, add accountability measures
- Cement Link Between Education And Jobs
Legislative Progress
- 01.31.14 - Senator John Legg Announces Florida Digital Classroom Initiative
- 02.18.14 - Legislation to Expand Economic Opportunity Through Education Passes First Senate Committee
- 03.05.14 - Legislation to Reduce the Cost of Florida Prepaid Passes Second Senate Committee
- 03.12.14 - Florida Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee Moves Legislation Strengthening Florida’s Education System
- 03.18.14 - Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Bill to Continue Linking Education to the Economy
- 04.22-14 - Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Strong Academic and Financial Accountability for Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program
- 04.29.14 - Florida Senate Passes Legislation to Reduce the Cost of the Florida Prepaid College Program
- 04.25.14 - Florida Senate Votes to Strengthen Links Between Education and the Economy
- 05.02.14 - Senate Advances Accountability Provisions for Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program
2. Florida GI Bill
Establish Florida as the top “Welcome Home” state for military, veterans and their families
- Expand Education And Employment Opportunities
- Invest In Florida’s Military Infrastructure
House Bill 7015, signed by the Governor, March 31, 2014.
Legislative Progress
- 01.30.14 - Pre-Session Media Workshop - Florida GI Bill (pdf)
- 02.04.14 - Florida GI Bill Passes First Senate Committee
- 03.06.14 - ALF Reform, Florida GI Bill Pass Final Senate Committee
- 03.11.14 - Florida Senate Honors Service Members, Passes Florida GI Bill on Florida National Guard Day
- 03.31.14 - Florida Senate Marks Signing of the Florida GI Bill
3. Protect Vulnerable Floridians
Increase Safeguards for Florida’s Children and Seniors- Improve Protections Against Sexual Offenders
Senate Bills 522, 524, 526 and 528 signed by the Governor, April 1, 2014. - Child Welfare Reform
SB 1666 signed by the Governor, June 23, 2014. - Fund Agency For Persons With Disabilities (APD) Waiting List
HB 5001 signed by the Governor, June 2, 2014. - Provide A Guardian Ad Litem For Every Child In The Court System
HB 5001 signed by the Governor, June 2, 2014. - Improve The Transparency And Accountability Of Assisted Living Facilities
SB 248 unanimously passed the Senate on March 18, 2014. The legislation did not pass the House of Representatives. - Increase Funding For Child Advocacy Centers
HB 5001 signed by the Governor, June 2, 2014. - Better Address Human Trafficking
HB 7141 signed by the Governor, June 17, 2014.
Legislative Progress
- 12.17.13 - Senators File Aggressive Legislative Package to Protect Florida’s Children from Sexually Violent Predators
- 01.08.14 - ALF Reform Passes Second Senate Committee
- 01.14.14 - Legislation to Protect Florida’s Children from Sexually Violent Predators Passes First Senate Committees
- 02.04.14 - Judiciary Committee Passes Safeguards for Florida’s Children and Seniors
- 02.20.14 - Legislation to Improve Safeguards for Florida’s Most Vulnerable Passes Final Senate Committee
- 03.04.14 - Florida Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation to Improve Safeguards for Florida’s Most Vulnerable
- 03.11.14 - Bills Improving Florida’s Child Welfare System Pass First Senate Committee
- 04.01.14 - Increased Protections Against Sex Offenders Signed into Law
- 04.22.14 - Child Welfare Reform Legislation Moves to Senate Floor
- 04.25.14 - Senate Approves Comprehensive Legislation to Protect Vulnerable Children
- 05.02.14 - Senate Passes Legislation to Improve Protections for Human Trafficking Victims
4. $500 Million Tax Cut
Reduce the amount of money government takes from the Floridians who earn it- Reduce Taxes And Fees
HB 5601, signed by the Governor, May 12, 2014. - Lower Vehicle Registration Fees For Every Floridian Who Drives A Car
SB 156, a $395 million annual reduction in vehicle fees, signed by the Governor on April 2, 2014.
Legislative Progress
- 01.09.14 - Motor Vehicle Fee Reduction Unanimously Passes Second Senate Committee
- 01.30.14 - Pre-Session Media Workshop - Budget (pdf)
- 03.18.14 - Tax Relief: $395 Million Reduction in Vehicle Fees Unanimously Passes Florida Senate
- 04.02.14 - Tax Relief 2014: Reduction In Vehicle Fees Signed Into Law
- 05.02.14 - Senate Approves Additional Tax Cuts
5. Improve Government Accountability and Efficiency
Complete reform of Florida Retirement System, expand 2013 Ethics Reform- Strengthen the retirement system for public employees by reforming the Florida Retirement System
SB 1114 passed several committees, but did not pass the full Senate. - Develop Information Technology Governance Strategy For State Government
HB 7073 signed by the Governor, June 20, 2014. - Continue To Improve Florida's Ethics Laws
SB 846 signed by the Governor, June 20, 2014.
SB 1194 signed by the Governor, June 13, 2014. - Implement Lobbyist Compensation Audits
Guidelines (pdf) Adopted on November 4, 2013. - Clarify Residency Requirements
SCR 954 passed the Florida Senate and the Florida House on March 4, 2014, the opening day of the 2014 Legislative Session.
Legislative Progress
- 02.05.14 - State Technology Legislation Passes First Senate Committee
- 02.17.14 - Legislation to Continue Strengthening Florida's Ethics Laws Passes First Senate Committee
- 02.20.14 - Measure to Increase DSO/CSO Transparency and Accountability Passes First Senate Committee
- 03.04.14 - Statement by Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford Regarding Joint Rule on Residency
- 03.05.14 - Information Technology Governance Strategy Passes Second Senate Committee
- 03.05.14 - Senate Community Affairs Committee Passes Legislation to Strengthen Ethics Laws
- 03.06.14 - Legislation to Strengthen Public Records and Open Government Laws Passes First Senate Committee
- 03.11.14 - DSO/CSO Transparency and Accountability Legislation Passes Community Affairs Committee
- 04.10.14 - Senate Governmental Oversight Committee Passes Pension Reform Legislation
- 04.11.14 - Senate Passes Bills to Strengthen Florida's Education System, Increase Accountability in DSOS/CSOS
- 05.02.14 - Senate Passes Information Technology Governance Strategy
Additional Resources
- Work Plan 2014 Announcement and Media Workshop Press Advisory
- Work Plan 2014 Announcement Press Release (pdf)
- Work Plan 2014 Outline (pdf)
- President Gaetz’s Memo to Senators (pdf) - January 29, 2014
- Work Plan 2014 Completed (pdf) - May 2, 2014
Work Plan 2013:
President Gaetz and Speaker Weatherford’s Work Plan 2013 agenda included bold steps to tackle ethics and campaign finance reform, fiscally responsible changes to Florida's local public sector pension plans, innovations in Florida's higher education system and a review of Florida election laws. To date, each of the five Work Plan Florida agenda items has been signed in to law by the Governor.
Work Plan Florida
Work Plan Florida