Capitol Connection
2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: WEEK 6
The 2021 Florida Legislative Session is well underway. These eight weeks move quickly in Tallahassee, and we appreciate your interest in monitoring issues that may impact Florida’s children and families. The Florida Children’s Council hopes that the content provided in this digest and the subsequent issues will help inform your advocacy efforts until session ends (sine die) on April 30th.
 
Each week the Capitol Connection will provide a brief summary of relative events from the executive and legislative branches. The update will also include information on legislation that has moved that week and provide updates on presentations, press conferences and conversations that may be of interest.
 
The first column lists the bill number, name and sponsor and provides a hyperlink to the bill's text and history. The numbered circles represent the number of committees of reference for each bill, and the final column provides a brief description of the bill(s). Here is a key to help guide you in your review of where each bill is:
This week the Senate and House chambers met for Week Six of the 2021 Legislative Session. The big news coming out of Tallahassee this week came from the Office of Economic & Demographic Research (EDR) which met to discuss the state’s general revenue estimates. Results of the estimating conference resulted in the addition of more than $2 billion to the state’s revenue forecast. As budgets begin to be finalized, within the coming weeks it is yet to be determined if these new dollars will be included in either chamber's spending plan. As the state continues to contemplate spending, the Senate will begin hearing three gaming bills on Monday that, if passed, have the potential to bring additional revenue into Florida’s coffers. On Thursday, both chambers passed their respective budget packages setting up budget conferences to begin as soon as committee conferees are announced. Of substantive note, SB 274 the Juvenile Diversion Program Expunction bill passed the Senate and has been placed in House messages. SB 1282 regarding early learning and SB 414 regarding economic self-sufficiency moved through the Senate this week, as well. Lastly, this week news of Representative Alcee Hastings passing impacted Florida greatly. Representative Hastings served as a member of Congress for more than 28 years and will be remembered as a fierce civil rights advocate.
 
Below are links to news articles published this week that may be of interest to you. 

With Florida’s recovery better-than-expected, economists add $2 billion to forecast
Will Florida modernize its gambling industry? Senators race to close deal
Juvenile arrest expunction bill soars on Senate floor
Alcee Hastings, Longtime Florida Congressman, Dies at 84

Until next week!

Sincerely,
The Florida Children’s Council
Economic Self-Sufficiency
Economic Self-Sufficiency
Early Learning
Early Learning
Healthy Development
Healthy Development
Children With Disabilities
Children With Disabilities
Child Protection
Child Protection
Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Justice
Equity
Equity
K-12 Education
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For more information, contact: Jenny Foltz - jfoltz@floridacsc.org