Legislative Updates

• Chronicle of Higher Education article - "Federal Court Orders Restoration of Collective-Bargaining Rights to Faculty and Employee Unions" - 2/17/05
• Gainesville Sun article - "Decision May Give UF Union More Life" - 2/16/05
• UFF News Release - February 15, 2005
  • First District Court of Appeals ruling

• May 4, 2004

  • Session Ends on Time.
  • Both community colleges and universities received an ncrease of over 7%.
  • State University employees' salaries and benefits.
  • Community College Baccalaureate programs received $7,767,160 from General Revenue.
  • Several community colleges were renames.
  • Total FRS rate is unchanged for 2004-05 at 7.39% as passed in SB 2230.
  • Retirement bills did not fair well this session.

  April 2, 2004

  • We are half way there!
  • HB 303 Post Secondary Education Access by Mayfield and SB 2388 Community College/Baccalaureate by the Education Committee
  • House Education K-20 Committee Passes Revised 18-Credit Option Bill
  • SB 2884 Relating to State Universities/Incentive Funds by Carlton
  • On the National Front - Update on the HEA (Higher Education Act)

  March 19, 2004

  • You Will Teach Civics!
  • SB 1670 by Sen. Argenziano passed the Senate Education Committee.
  • Higher Education Finance Policy Bill (PCB EDK 04-07A)
  • Governor Releases Supplemental Budget Request
  • Update on the Standardized Testing of University Students

  March 12, 2004

  • Week Two on the Hill
  • UCAT ALERT!
  • In Tallahassee
  • Tax Breaks -- Making Florida's Economy Strong?
  • HB 237 by Rep. Kilmer - Sales Tax Holiday Bill
  • HB 791 by Rep. Johnson would eliminate the Intangible Property Tax over the next three years.
  • On the National Front -- The Flight in Congress Over Money and Public Policy

  March 5, 2004

  • They're Baa-ck!
  • House Appropriations cuts 3.5% to" Reprioritize" Budget
  • UFF Member Lobbyist's Impressions

  February 27, 2004

  • Pre-Session Update
  • FEA/UFF Retirement Initiatives
  • Health Insurance Subsidy Increase
  • DROP and Reemployment Equity
  • FAIR Amendment