Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 3:00 Pm Zoom Meeting I

Home , Angie Nixon, Audrey Gibson, Ben Diamond, Bryan Avila, Christine Hunschofsky, Colleen Burton

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AGENDA Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 3:00 pm Zoom Meeting I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call/Quorum Verification A. Patel

II. PUBLIC COMMENT I Individuals wishing to address the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County Board of Directors must complete a Public Comment Request Card and submit it to the official recorder prior to the noticed start time of the meeting. Said comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per individual on a first come, first serve basis, and only at such time as is identified on the official meeting agenda for public comment. All public comment in Public Comment I must pertain to an item on the approved agenda.

III. ACTION ITEMS

IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. 2021 AELC Advocacy Priorities (Pgs. 3-5) G. Gillette (1) Appropriations Priorities B. AELC Suggested Priorities for Stimulus Funding (Pg. 6) G. Gillette C. House Bill 419 Overview (Pgs. 7-9) M. Folts/G. Gillette D. Local Legislative Visits Update G. Gillette

V. INFORMATION ITEMS A. Legislative Committee Directory (Pgs. 10-32) B. Florida Politics Article (Pgs. 33-34)

VI. ADJOURNMENT UPCOMING MEETINGS Board of Director’s Regular Meeting - Monday, February 15, 2021 at 3:00 pm Governance Committee Meeting - March 29, 2021 at 3:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting - April 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting -April 12, 2021 at 3:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting - April 19, 2021 at 3:00 pm UPCOMING EVENTS Feeding Tampa Bay Mobile Food Pantry- March 2, 2021 at 4:30 pm

Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94437884465?pwd=N2d1L2MyQzdJN3BLUXIwUCs2QlQzQT09

Meeting ID: 944 3788 4465

February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 1 of 34 Passcode: 716273 One tap mobile +13126266799,,94437884465#,,,,*716273# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,94437884465#,,,,*716273# US (New York)

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February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 2 of 34 Empowering Parental Involvement and Choice

COORDINATED EFFECTIVE INCREASE SCREENINGAND ACCOUNTABILITY FAMILYACCESS ASSESSMENT SYSTEMFORVPK TOINFORMATION SYSTEM PROGRAMS ANDQUALITY

PRIMARYMEASURESOF COORDINATEDSCREENINGAND ENHANCEPROVIDERPROFILE PROGRAM QUALITY SHOULDBE : ASSESSMENTSYSTEMTHAT VISIBILITYTOREFLECTVPK ALIGNSWITHTHE Eligiblity: P r o g r a m ANDSRPROGRAMQUALITY ASSESSMENTS IN K - 1 2 assessment that meets STANDARDSFORFAMLIES Establish a baseline through minimum level of developmental screening and teacher/child interactions pre-assessment upon entering Ongoing Accountability: P r e - the VPK Program; and and post-assessment child INCREMENTALLYADJUST Implement mid-and/or end- learning gains (methodology SCHOOLREADINESS of-program VPK assessments should be evaluated, REIMBURSEMENTRATESAND to assess child learning enhanced and weignted as DIFFERENTIALSTOSUPPORT p r o g r e s s needed by steering LOW - INCOMEWORKING c o m m i t t e e ) FAMLIES ' ACCESSTOHIGH - PERFORMINGPROGRAMS

USEDATATOIDENTIFYEARLY DELAYSINDEVELOPMENTAND SUPPORT FOR PROVIDERS ENSUREAPPROPRIATE - Incrementally increase BSA LINKPARENTSTO INTERVENTIONSARE as accountability standards LONGITUDINALDATAONTHEIR IMPACTINGCHILD increase to incentivize CHILD ' SDEVELOPMENTAND DEVELOPMENT improvement INFORMATIONTHATWILL -Provide funding for SUPPORTCHILDDEVELOPMENT interventions for low- ATHOME LOGITUDINALDATAGATHERED performing providers ONCHILD ' SDEVELOPMENT GIVESADEQUATE -Consider differentials to 2021 AELC Advocacy Priorities INFORMATIONTOSUPPORT incentivize high performance LEARNINGANDEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 3 of 34 COORDINATEDSCREENINGANDASSESSMENT I s s u e : Child development data information is not shared across the early learning and K-20 system which creates duplication across systems. It also negatively impacts the family and child due to a loss of historical information on child interventions and developmental progress. S o l u t i o n : Create a coordinated screenign and assessment sytem that streamlines access to logitudincal data regarding development milestones and interventions achieved in early learning. Eliminate duplicative screening of children across early leraning and K-12 systems, maximizing efficient use of state resources

EFFECTIVEACCOUNTABILITYFORVPKPROGRAMS ISSUE: Provider performance is measured on variables that are affected by the previous educational history of the children they serve. Teacher performance and learning gains are not considered, only child outcome data upon kindergarten entry which limits the data needed for designing appropriate interventions as data is received almost two years after the start of a program year SOLUTION: Minimum program quality thresholds for eligibility for VPK - -Require all VPK providers to participate in a program assessment prior to contracting for VPK starting FY 20-21 -Give OEL authority to set a threshold for program entry and a threshold for required quality improvement -Allow authority for waivers in communities where providers are needed to sustain capacity -Allow new providers the option to leverage a CLASS assessment from SR if not VPK class is present -Change Provider Performance Plan to mirror SR’s Quality Improvement Plan or include CLASS training as an option in current PIP (Federal fiscal required) -In Year 2: Use estimates from baseline data to fund tiered/weighted BSAs for provider showing higher levels of quality including incentive for formative child assessment (Fiscal required ) SOLUTION : Child Pre- and Post-Assessment During the VPK Session -Require the K Readiness screener (FLKRS) as a pre- and post-assessment during the VPK year. -The assessment should be done during the first and last 30 days of the school year programs and the first and last 10 days of the summer programs. -Use executive functioning test in addition to pre-post tool -If pre-post scores do not line up with readiness rates, then tests will be proctored for that provider. (GR fiscal required) Solution: Learning Gains are Included in Provider Readiness Rate: -Change provider readiness rate calculation standards to include learning gains calculated from the pre- and post- assessment during the VPK school year (No cost, just statutory change)

COORDINATEDSCREENINGANDASSESSMENT ISSUE: Provider profiles do not give adequate information for parents to make informed decisions for their children’s early care and education. SOLUTION: Create longitudinal data system that will collect data and give parents information about their child’s development and progress Create provider profile that informs parents of the quality levels of providers so they can make informed decisions on their child’s education Create increased funding options to remove funding barriers to accessing quality programs.

February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 4 of 34 APPROPRIATIONSNEEDS

Recommended Program Implementation costs for the items listed above that require an appropriation in order to implement proposed policy changes - Program Assessment for VPK Providers (federal fiscal needed) - Pre-Post Child Assessment (GR fiscal needed) - Longitudinal data system (GR and Federal fiscal needed) - Provider Profile Enhancements (Federal Fiscal needed)

Increase teacher credentialing ($10M) – -Sustain current TEACH funding for increasing credentials and degrees

Expand system for specialized ECE knowledge – Early Learning Florida ($3M) -Allow the system to be used by SR and VPK providers, increase funding if needed

Roll Wait List Funding (set in proviso) to Base ($60M) -Needs to be appropriated as direct services funding, not wait list funding

Roll Rate Increase Funding (set in proviso) to Base ($100M) -Evaluate effectiveness of current methodology to ensure most fragile markets are addressed -Needs to be appropriated outside of regular funding formula to sustain current rate i n c r e a s e s

Preserve VPK BSA at $2486 (SY) $2122 (Summer) $412,158,000

February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 5 of 34 STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS COVID- RELATED CRISES IN EARLY LEARNING

TAILORED COMMUNITY SUPPORTS

PROVIDE LOCAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO ENSURE COALITIONS HAVE FLEXIBILITY TO ADJUST THE DOSAGE OF EACH INTERVENTION STRATEGY AND ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH COMMUNITY

FINANCIAL SUPPORTS FOR ESSENTIAL SMALL BUSINESSES

PROVIDE MAINTENANCE GRANTS TO KEEP THE DOORS OF FLORIDA'S EARLY LEARNING SMALL BUSINESSES OPEN AND MITIGATE THE LOSS OF REVENUE CONTINUED ENROLLMENT PAYMENTS

REIMBURSE EARLY LEARNING PROVIDERS BASED ON ENROLLMENT RATHER THAN ACTUAL ATTENDANCE TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF LOST REVENUE DUE TO LOW CHILD ATTENDANCE AND ENSURE PROGRAMS REMAIN OPERATIONAL TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WHO DO NEED CARE, SUCH AS FIRST RESPONDERS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS

WORKFORCE SUPPORTS

ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR STRATEGIES SUCH AS SIGNING AND/OR RETENTION BONUSES, PRESERVICE TRAINING FEE WAIVERS OR OTHER SOLUTIONS TO ATTRACT EMPLOYEES TO THE WORKFORCE AND ADDRESS SUBSTANTIAL TURNOVER BURDENING EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS HEALTH & SAFETY SUPPLIES

PROVIDE FUNDING TO PROVIDERS FOR PURCHASING CRITICAL SUPPLIES SUCH AS PPE, THERMOMETERS, ETC. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS SO PROVIDERS MAY ASSIST CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA DURING THE PANDEMIC

Association of Early Learning Coalitions, [email protected] 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting January 20216 of 34 HB 419 Overview 1-27-21

•Makes OEL a division of DOE •Removes direct rulemaking authority from OEL Office of Early •Moves OEL’s budget and budget authority under DOE Learning (OEL) •Requires DOE to develop an integrated early learning-20 Governance & information system Responsibilities •Requires OEL to develop training •Requires OEL to develop performance standards for coalitions and provide programmatic and fiscal monitoring biennially

•Allows DOE to remove an ELC from eligibility to offer SR and VPK or merge the coalition as a result of noncompliance with performance standards. •Allows Head Start and Early Head Start as an allowable enrollment for waiving parent copayments •Increases transparency and limits conflicts of interest •Requires ELC CEOs to provide reports as requested by SBE. Makes ELCs responsible for accuracy of data. •Requires annual submission of the Executive Director's performance evaluation •Adds ELCs to oversight jurisdiction of the SBE Coalition •Gives allowance for the Commissioner to appoint an interim Accountability & Responsibilities board chair in the absence of a gubernatorial appointment. •Sets the number of coalitions at 30 instead of 31 •Requires coalitions to use the prevailing market rate when setting their reimbursement rates • Requires the coalitions to conduct a customer service survey and achieve at least a 60% level or higher. If they do not receive that, they will be put on a corrective action plan for a year. •Allows coalitions to appoint private sector up to the limit of 30 with all mandated members being met •Allows coalitions to request a new board member is a current one is found to be nonparticipating.

February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 7 of 34 HB 419 Overview 1-27-21

•Clarifies that military child care programs are eligible to participate in SR and VPK programs •Requires the Office to develop a process for using contracted slots Other Topics to support children experiencing homelessness and children in foster care •Requires a study of the current methodology for the funding and the impact of quality differentials

•Moves Gold Seal Program from DCF to OEL/DOE •Sets a minimum differential rate of 20% •An accrediting agency must provide onsite monitoring every five years with an annual reporting process that requires risk-based on-site monitoring •An accrediting body fraudulently accrediting early learning programs or not conducting onsite verification shall be liable for Gold Seal the repayment of any rate differentials paid to providers. •Allows providers who have been operating for 5 years or longer and are cited with a Class 1 Violation to appeal to the Department/State Board of Education for a waiver to maintain Gold Seal designation (currently, their Gold Seal Status is terminated).

•Requires all children in VPK to participate in coordinated screening and assessment system •Requires procurement of assessment tool to include math domains and must have a way to detect early signs of dsylexia Coordinated •Students performance results must be shared with parents within Screening & seven days of completing the assessment Assessment •Children who are not ready by the end of VPK will be referred for services in kindergarten (public schools) •Formalizes the Council for Early Grades Success (appointed by the Governor and Legislature and gives them specific responsiblities such as working with the department to implement the new coordinated screening and assessment program form Pk-3

February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 8 of 34 HB 419 Overview 1-27-21

•Requires VPK providers to participate in program assessment thresholds to be the same as School Readiness •Modifies VPK readiness rates to “performance metric”; includes child pre- and post-assessment learning gains, final achievemet score and program assessment (no longer uses FLKRS in calculation after 20/21) •Results of program assessment, learning gains and achievement level are calculated under new methodology to generate a performance metric and designation of unsatisfactory, Approaching Proficient, Proficient, Highly Proficient, or Excellent. (SBE may change these names if desired) •Requires development of an enhanced provider profile to display provider information and quality indicators for families •Increases “VPK Completer” to 85% •Requires annual meeting of school districts and ELCs to discuss K transition •Requires additional training for VPK Directors on curricula VPK implementation and use of student level data to inform delivery Accountability of instruction •Requires 3 courses on emergent literacy (currently only 1) for all instructors •Requires DOE to make available at least 8 hours of online training that supports VPK instructors increasing competency of teacher- child interactions •A principal with an Educational Leadership degree can be considered meeting the VPK Director requirements •Changes staff development plan to include training on teacher- child interactions •Adds exceptions in good cause exemptions for providers serving children with special needs •Requires approval of improvement plans submitted by low performing providers. Plans must include the adoption of an approved curricula AND staff development. Currently, providers may choose one or the other. •Clarifies that ELCs govern the contract for VPK •Adds a differential to be paid up to 15% for VPK providers with high performance

February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 9 of 34

Legislative Committee Directory House Education & Employment Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Chair: Chris Latvala District 67 (850) 717-5067 – Capitol Pinellas (R) (727) 724-3000 – District [email protected]

Vice Chair: Stan District 23 (850) 717-5023 – Capitol Marion McClain (R) (352) 732-1313 – District [email protected]

Republican District 2 (850) 717-5002– Capitol Escambia, Santa Committee Whip: (850) 595-0467– District Rosa Alex Andrade (R) [email protected]

Vance Aloupis (R) District 115 (850) 717-5115 – Capitol Miami-Dade (305) 270-6530 – District [email protected]

Kristen Arrington (D) District 43 (850) 717-8043 – Capitol Osceola () – District [email protected]

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House Education & Employment Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Melanie Bell (R) District 56 (850) 717-5056 – Capitol Heartland, Polk (863) 285-1101 – District [email protected]

David Borrero (R) District 105 (850) 717-5105 – Capitol SWFL, Miami-Dade () – District and Monroe, [email protected] Broward

Dr. James Bush III (D) District 109 (850) 717-5109 – Capitol Miami-Dade and (305) 953-3086 – District Monroe [email protected]

Randy Fine (R) District 53 (850) 717-5053 – Capitol Brevard (321) 409-2017 – District [email protected]

Joe Harding (R) District 22 (850) 717-5022 – Capitol Marion (352) 291-4436 – District [email protected]

Fred Hawkins (R) District 42 (850) 717-5042 – Capitol Osceola and Polk () – District [email protected]

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House Education & Employment Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Christine Hunschofsky District 96 (850) 717-5096 – Capitol Broward (D) (954) 956-5600 – District [email protected]

Chip LaMarca (R) District 93 (850) 717-5093 – Capitol Broward (954) 784-4531 – District [email protected]

Patt Maney (R) District 4 (850) 717-5004 – Capitol Emerald Coast (850) 833-3713– District [email protected]

Amber Mariano (R) District 36 (850) 717-5036 – Capitol Pasco/Hernando (727) 861-4806 – District (Pasco) [email protected]

Travaris “Tray” District 46 (850) 717-5046 – Capitol Orange McCurdy (D) () – District [email protected]

Daisy Morales (D) District 48 (850) 717-5048 – Capitol Orange () – District [email protected]

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House Education & Employment Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Dana Trabulsy (R) District 84 (850) 717-5084 – Capitol St. Lucie () – District [email protected]

Kaylee Tuck (R) District 55 (850) 717-5055 – Capitol SWFL, Heartland, (863) 386-6000 – District IRMO, St. Lucie (863) 462-5019 – District [email protected] Susan Valdes (D) District 62 (850) 717-5062 – Capitol Hillsborough (813) 673-4673 – District [email protected]

Patricia Williams (D) District 92 (850) 717-5092 – Capitol Broward (954) 202-3201 – District [email protected]

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House Early Learning and Elementary Education Sub-committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Chair: Vance Aloupis District 115 (850) 717-5115 – Capitol Miami-Dade (R) (305) 270-6530 – District [email protected]

Vice Chair: Elizabeth District 26 (850) 717-5026 – Capitol Flagler/Volusia Fetterhoff (R) (386) 736-5187 – District (Volusia) [email protected]

Linda Chaney (R) District 69 (850) 717-5069 – Capitol Pinellas (727) 341-7385 – District [email protected]

Tracie Davis (D) District 13 (850) 717-5013 – Capitol Duval (904) 353-2180 – District [email protected]

Fred Hawkins (R) District 42 (850) 717-5042 – Capitol Osceola and Polk () – District [email protected]

Christine Hunschofsky District 96 (850) 717-5096 – Capitol Broward (D) (954) 956-5600 – District [email protected]

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House Early Learning and Elementary Education Sub-committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Traci Koster (R) District 64 (850)717-5069 – Capitol Pinellas and () – District Hillsborough [email protected]

Chip LaMarca (R) District 93 (850) 717-5093 – Capitol Broward (954) 784-4531 – District [email protected]

Andrew Learned (D) District 59 (850) 717-5059 – Capitol Hillsborough () – District [email protected]

Travaris “Tray” District 46 (850) 717-5046 – Capitol Orange McCurdy (D) () – District [email protected]

Fiona McFarland (R) District 72 (850) 717-5072 – Capitol Sarasota () – District [email protected]

Jim Mooney (R) District 120 (850) 717-5120 – Capitol Miami/Dade () - District Monroe [email protected]

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House Early Learning and Elementary Education Sub-committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Angie Nixon (D) District 14 (850) 717-5014 – Capitol Duval () - District [email protected]

Spencer Roach (R) District 79 (850) 717-5079 – Capitol SWFL (239) 656-7790– District [email protected]

Anthony Rodriguez (R) District 118 (850) 717-5118 – Capitol Miami/Dade (305) 252-4352– District Monroe [email protected]

Dana Trabulsy (R) District 84 (850) 717-5084 – Capitol St. Lucie () – District [email protected]

Keith Truenow (R) District 31 (850) 717-5031 – Capitol Orange and Lake () – District [email protected]

Patricia Williams (D) District 92 (850) 717-5092 – Capitol Broward (954) 202-3201 – District [email protected]

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House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Chair: Randy Fine District 53 (850) 717-5053 – Capitol Brevard (R) (321) 409-2017 – District [email protected]

Vice Chair: Melanie District 56 (850) 717-5056 – Capitol Heartland, Polk Bell (R) (863) 285-1101 – District [email protected]

Vance Aloupis (R) District 115 (850) 717-5115 – Capitol Miami-Dade (305) 270-6530 – District [email protected]

Alex Andrade (R) District 2 (850) 717-5002– Capitol Escambia, Santa (850) 595-0467– District Rosa [email protected]

Robin Bartleman District 104 (850) 717-5104 – Capitol Broward (D) (954) 668-3662 – District [email protected]

Dr. James Bush III District 109 (850) 717-5109 – Capitol Miami-Dade (D) (305) 953-3086 – District [email protected]

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House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Elizabeth Fetterhoff District 26 (850) 717-5026 – Capitol Flagler/Volusia (R) (386) 736-5187 – District (Volusia) [email protected]

Brett Thomas Hage District 33 (850) 717-5033 – Capitol Lake, Marion, (R) (352) 315-4445 – District Nature Coast [email protected] (Sumter)

Stan McClain (R) District 23 (850) 717-5023 – Capitol Marion (352) 732-1313 – District [email protected]

Spencer Roach (R) District 79 (850) 717-5079 – Capitol SWFL (239) 656-7790– District [email protected]

David Smith (R) District 28 (850)717-5028 – Capitol Seminole (407) 971-3570– District [email protected]

Keith Truenow (R) District 31 (850)717-5031 – Capitol Orange and Lake () – District [email protected]

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House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Susan Valdes (D) District 62 (850) 717-5062 – Capitol Hillsborough (813) 673-4673 – District [email protected]

Matt Willhite (D) District 86 (850) 717-5086 – Capitol Palm Beach (561) 791-4071 – District [email protected]

Patricia Williams District 92 (850) 717-5092 – Capitol Broward (D) (954) 202-3201 – District [email protected]

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House Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Chair: Jay Trumbull District 6 (850) 717-5006 – Capitol Northwest FL (R) (850) 914-6300 – District [email protected]

Vice Chair: District 58 (850) 717-5058 – Capitol Hillsborough Lawrence McClure (813) 757-9110 – District (R) [email protected]

Ramon Alexander District 8 (850) 717-5008 – Capitol Big Bend (D) () – District [email protected]

Bryan Avila (R) District 111 (850) 717-5111 – Capitol Miami-Dade and (305) 805-5127 – District Monroe [email protected]

Colleen Burton (R) District 40 (850) 717-5040 – Capitol Polk (863) 413-2640 – District [email protected]

Dr. James Bush III District 109 (850) 717-5109 – Capitol Miami-Dade and (D) (305) 953-3086 – District Monroe [email protected]

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House Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Ben Diamond (D) District 68 (850) 717-5068 – Capitol Pinellas (727) 552-2747 – District [email protected]

Brad Drake (R) District 5 (850) 717-5005 – Capitol Northwest FL (850) 951-0547 – District (Holmes, Jackson, [email protected] Washington, Bay) Emerald Coast (Walton) Bobby DuBose (D) District 94 (850) 717-5094 – Capitol Broward (954) 467-4206 – District [email protected]

Nicholas Duran (D) District 112 (850) 717-5112 – Capitol Miami-Dade and (305) 860-7119 – District Monroe [email protected]

Randy Fine (R) District 53 (850) 717-5053 – Capitol Brevard (321) 409-2017 – District [email protected]

Joseph Geller (D) District 100 (850) 717-5100 – Capitol Broward and (954) 924-3708 – District Miami-Dade and [email protected] Monroe

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House Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Erin Grall (R) District 54 (850) 717-5054 – Capitol IRMO and St. Lucie (772) 778-5005 – District [email protected]

Michael Grant (R) District 75 (850) 717-5075 – Capitol Florida’s Heartland (941) 613-0914 – District (Charlotte) [email protected]

Blaise Ingoglia (R) District 35 (850) 717-5035 – Capitol Pasco/Hernando (352) 688-5004 – District (Hernando) [email protected]

Evan Jenne (D) District 99 (850) 717-5099 – Capitol Broward (954) 893-5000 – District (954) 893-5001 – District [email protected] Chris Latvala (R) District 67 (850) 717-5067 – Capitol Pinellas (727) 724-3000 – District [email protected]

Tom Leek (R) District 25 (850) 717-5025– Capitol Flagler/Volusia (386) 238-4865 – District (Volusia) [email protected]

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House Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Ralph Massullo (R) District 34 (850) 717-5034 – Capitol Pasco/Hernando (352) 527-4510 – District (Hernando) [email protected] Nature Coast (Citrus)

Anika Omphroy (D) District 95 (850) 717-5095 – Capitol Broward (954) 747-7933 – District [email protected]

Daniel Perez (R) District 116 (850) 717-5116 – Capitol Miami-Dade and (305) 442-6800 – District Monroe [email protected]

Scott Plakon (R) District 29 (850) 717-5029 – Capitol Seminole (407) 262-7423 – District [email protected]

Rene “Coach P” District 50 (850) 717-5050 – Capitol Brevard, Orange Plasencia (R) (321) 383-5151 – District (407) 266-7159 - District [email protected] Paul Renner (R) District 24 (850) 717-5024 – Capitol Flagler/Volusia (386) 446-7644 – District North Florida (St. [email protected] Johns)

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House Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Rick Roth (R) District 85 (850) 717-5085 – Capitol Palm Beach (561) 625-5176 – District [email protected]

Cyndi Stevenson District 17 (850) 717-5017 – Capitol North Florida (St. (R) (904) 823-2300 – District John’s [email protected]

Josie Tomkow (R) District 39 (850) 717-5039 – Capitol Osceola, Polk (863) 968-5666 – District [email protected]

Matt Willhite (D) District 86 (850) 717-5086 – Capitol Palm Beach (561) 791-4071 – District [email protected]

Patricia Williams District 92 (850) 717-5092 – Capitol Broward (D) (954) 202-3201 – District [email protected]

Jayer Williamson District 3 (850) 717-5003 – Capitol Santa Rosa (R) (850) 889-4974 – District Emerald Coast [email protected] (Okaloosa)

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Senate Education Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC(s) Chair: Joe Gruters (R) District 23 (850) 487-5023 – Capitol Sarasota, Heartland (941) 378-6309 – District [email protected]

Vice Chair: Shevrin D. District 35 (850) 487-5035 – Capitol Broward, Miami-Dade “Shev” Jones (D) () – District [email protected]

Lori Berman (D) District 31 (850) 487-5031 – Capitol Palm Beach (561) 292-6014 – District [email protected]

Jennifer Bradley (R) District 5 (850) 487-5005 – Capitol FL’s Gateway, Nature (904) 278-2085 – District Coast, North FL [email protected]

Doug Broxson (R) District 1 (850) 487-5001 – Capitol Escambia, Santa Rosa, (850) 595-1036 – District Emerald Coast [email protected]

Manny Diaz, Jr. (R) District 36 (850) 487-5036 – Capitol Miami-Dade (305) 364-3073 – District [email protected]

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Senate Education Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC(s) Travis Hutson (R) District 7 (850) 487-5007 – Capitol North FL, Flagler & (386) 446-7610 – District Volusia [email protected]

Kathleen Passidomo District 28 (850) 487-5028 – Capitol Southwest FL (R) (239) 417-6205 – District [email protected]

Tina Scott Polsky (D) District 29 (850) 487-5029 – Capitol Palm Beach, Broward (561) 443-8170 – District [email protected]

Perry E. Thurston, Jr. District 33 (850) 487-5033 – Capitol Broward (D) (954) 321-2705 – District [email protected]

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Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Chair: Doug Broxson District 1 (850) 487-5001 – Capitol Escambia, Santa (R) (850) 595-1036 – District Rosa, Emerald Coast [email protected]

Vice Chair: Manny District 36 (850) 487-5036 – Capitol Miami-Dade Diaz (R) (305) 364-3073 – District [email protected]

Janet Cruz (D) District 62 (850) 487-5018 – Capitol Hillsborough (813) 348-1017 – District [email protected]

Audrey Gibson (D) District 6 (850) 487-5006 – Capitol Duval (904) 359-2553 – District [email protected]

Joe Gruters (R) District 23 (850) 487-5023 – Capitol Sarasota, Heartland (941) 378-6309 – District [email protected]

Travis Hutson (R) District 7 (850) 487-5007 – Capitol North FL, Flagler & (386) 446-7610 – District Volusia [email protected]

Last updated 2/5/2021 February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting Page 1827 of of 2334

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Kathleen Passidomo District 28 (850) 487-5028 – Capitol Southwest FL (R) (239) 417-6205 – District [email protected]

Tina Scott Polsky (D) District 29 (850) 487-5029 – Capitol Palm Beach, Broward (561) 443-8170 – District [email protected]

Tom Wight (R) District 14 (850) 487-5014 – Capitol Brevard, Flagler & (386) 304-7630 – District Volusia [email protected]

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Senate Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Chair: Kelli Stargel (R) District 22 (850) 487-5022 – Capitol Lake, Polk (863) 668-3028 – District [email protected]

Vice Chair: Aaron Bean District 4 (850) 487-5004– Capitol Duval, North FL (R) (904) 757-5039 - District [email protected]

Ben Albritton (R) District 26 (850) 487-5026– Capitol Polk, Heartland, (863) 534-0073 - District Southwest FL [email protected]

Lauren Book (R) District 32 (850) 487-5032– Capitol Broward (954) 424-6674 - District [email protected]

Randolph Bracy (D) District 11 (850) 487-5011– Capitol Orange (407) 297-2045 - District [email protected]

Jeff Brandes (R) District 24 (850) 487-5024– Capitol Pinellas (727) 563-2100 - District [email protected]

Last updated 2/5/2021 February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting Page 2029 of of 2334

Senate Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Doug Broxson (R) District 1 (850) 487-5001 – Capitol Escambia, Santa (850) 595-1036 – District Rosa, Emerald Coast [email protected]

Manny Diaz (R) District 36 (850)487-5036 – Capitol Miami-Dade (305)364-3073 – District [email protected]

Gary Farmer (D) District 34 (850) 487-5034 – Capitol Broward (954) 467-4227 – District [email protected]

George Gainer (R) District 2 (850) 487-5002 – Capitol Northwest FL, (850) 747-5454 – District Emerald Coast [email protected]

Audrey Gibson (D) District 6 (850) 487-5006 – Capitol Duval (904) 359-2553 – District [email protected]

Ed Hooper (R) District 16 (850) 487-5016 – Capitol Pasco & Hernando, (727) 771-2102 – District Pinellas [email protected]

Last updated 2/5/2021 February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting Page 2130 of of 2334

Senate Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Travis Hutson (R) District 7 (850) 487-5007 – Capitol North FL, Flagler & (386) 446-7610 – District Volusia [email protected]

Debbie Mayfield (R) District 17 (850) 487-5017 – Capitol IRMO, Brevard (321) 409-2025 – District [email protected]

Kathleen Passidomo District 28 (850) 487-5028 – Capitol Southwest FL (R) (239) 417-6205 – District [email protected]

Keith Perry (R) District 8 (850) 487-5008 – Capitol Alachua, Marion, (352) 264-4040 – District North Florida [email protected] (Putnam)

Jason Pizzo (D) District 38 (850) 487-5038 – Capitol Miami-Dade (305) 795-1205 – District [email protected]

Bobby Powell (D) District 30 (850) 487-5030 – Capitol Palm Beach (561) 650-6880 – District [email protected]

Last updated 2/5/2021 February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting Page 2231 of of 2334

Senate Appropriations Committee Member District Contact Information Picture Relevant ELC Darryl Ervin Rouson (D) District 19 (850) 487-5019 – Capitol Pinellas, Hillsborough (727) 822-6828 – District [email protected]

Linda Stewart (D) District 13 (850) 487-5013 – Capitol Orange (407) 893-2422 – District [email protected]

Last updated 2/5/2021 February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting Page 2332 of of 2334

2/4/2021 After preliminary report, Melinda Miguel owes nonprofits a full apology

Stock image via Adobe.

EMAILS & OPINIONS

February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 33 of 34 file:///S:/Favorites/Committees/Ad%20Hoc%20Committees%20&%20Special%20Committees/Legislative.Affairs%20Committee/FY%202020-2021/After%20preliminary%20report,%20Melinda%20Migue… 3/6 2/4/2021 After preliminary report, Melinda Miguel owes nonprofits a full apology After preliminary report, Melinda Miguel owes nonprofits a full apology

It’s okay to say, ‘I got it wrong.’

Peter Schorsch

February 2, 2021

It’s OK to say, “I got it wrong.”

Florida’s Inspector General released a preliminary report last week that appeared to scold ore than a dozen entities for overpaying their executives.

Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel issued a “preliminary” report of her findings and it soon became outrage fodder for the media. A Tiffany Carr-fueled feeding frenzy ensued.

That same media — admittedly, yours truly was a part of the initial piling on – began to recognize too late that this preliminary report wasn’t just preliminary, it was basically wrong.

In half-hearted recognition of this, most headlines morphed into a “nonprofits push back” while not admitting they got suckered in and followed the wrongness all the way down an empty hallway.

But let’s be honest, the damage was done, and lawmakers were considering changing the laws to fix a “problem” that may not actually exist.

Consider this: What if there isn’t actually a problem? What if the IG got it wrong?

What if the IG compared federal tax returns to the state statute and did not check with those same service providers and find out why the 990’s showed the “excessive” compensation? What if the IG then applied the statutory limits that restrict charges to the state (but not the salary of the executive level staff) to those 990’s and then mistakenly compared the two? It makes no sense, I know.

Well, that’s exactly what happened!

Let me clarify. The state limits how much of a CEO’s salary can be charged to a state contract. This makes sense and is designed to limit excessive overhead.

The IRS form 990 combines, among other things, a CEO’s salary from all related entities. So, many of the CEO’s named got called out even if their agencies fell below the statutory caps.

Heck, using the IG’s “logic” someone could run a not-for-profit hospital, a CBC and a mental health managing entity — all of which are competitively bid despite some reporters suggesting otherwise — as well as a homeless shelter and sill be subject to the salary limits.

In short, these CEOs and their executive teams oversee tens of millions of dollars in contracts from multiple sources with the state contract accounting for only a fraction.

To Miguel’s credit, she issued a half-hearted retraction to clear up that nobody was under investigation, that the report was a preliminary, and that this was just something the Governor asked for. It was essentially an “aw, shucks” shoulder shrug.

But I don’t think that is good enough.

Nobody likes their reputation smeared and they especially don’t when it comes at the hands of a state official with an ominous-sounding title. And it is especially problematic when the data used to generate the headlines is flat out wrong.

A full apology – on and for the record – is needed immediately.

Dear Inspector General Miguel, it’s OK to say, “I got it wrong.” It’s OK to say, “I’m sorry.” February 9, 2021 Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 34 of 34 file:///S:/Favorites/Committees/Ad%20Hoc%20Committees%20&%20Special%20Committees/Legislative.Affairs%20Committee/FY%202020-2021/After%20preliminary%20report,%20Melinda%20Migue… 4/6