Thread by @ForARPeople1

We are set up for round 2 of pre-fiscal session meetings! If you missed the fun yesterday, here's a link to yesterday's thread. threadreaderapp.com/thread/1765387…

On today's agenda: the mammoth Department of Human Services, the Public School fund with everyone's favorite Florida Man, Sec. Oliva, public school libraries, and Career and Technical Education.

DHS is a huge department that has its fingers all over state government. We expect there to be a lot of discussion about Medicaid, esp. given the furor over the speedy unwinding last year.

Naturally, we expect Mr. Oliva to get some.. questions regarding LEARNS when he's on the stand. Democrats in the room are obviously opposed, but fiscal conservatives from the GOP like Sen. Bryan King have been increasingly uncomfortable with the price tag.

We'll see if that comes up!

As a note on future programming, next week we'll release a piece picking out some of the more interesting discussions that happened over these three days and see what they might tell us about the upcoming fiscal session.

Folks are starting to take their seats. Somewhat interestingly, seem to be fewer legislators present today.

Chair gavels us into session, and first item: additional appropriations for travel expenses for district judges.

Rep from Auditor of State: district judges have to travel quite a bit within their jurisdiction. Bumping from 68k to 80k, but increasing scrutiny on their receipts. They're trying to figure out where the majority of expenses come from.

Letter is adopted, and we're onto DHS. (we're gonna be here a while)

As an example, we don't see Sens. Tucker, Hammer, Stubblefield, Rep. Wooten (though the columns in the room might be blocking our view) among others. Not a big deal, just curious.

Total funded budget: 11 billion. Largest portion of DHS' 1.8 billion budget goes to medical services.

Only two major changes to overall DHS:

600k to support federally required match for Placement and Licensing services.

3.5 mil shift from Commerce to DHS to support TANF

Sen. Chesterfield: concerned as always about high turnover rate at DHS. Wants to know how we're decreasing that.

A: overall decline in turnover rate. New retention policies, including bringing infants under 6 mo into work, 4 10hr days, and flexible work schedules.

(all policies which have been proven to reduce turnover and increase worker satisfaction, so glad to see DHS implementing these).

Sen. Chesterfield also concerned about TANF money (temporary assistance for needy families).

A: will strategically work with stakeholders to better target and distribute TANF money.

Q: have number of juveniles committed gone up or down?

A: up, unfortunately. Working with juvenile judges to increase release rate. Lesser time commitments, better releases for first time commitments, etc.

Rep. Lundstrum: out of total number positions authorized, you have 1700+ positions open. Can we take some of that money to increase current employees' wages?

A: We are planning to rework employee classification system, pay plan improvement for high-need groups like nurses

Q: how far are family court dockets backed up? Complaints in NWA.

A: not sure, but we will follow up.

Rep Wooten (he is here! silly columns): like yesterday, he is concerned about number of positions open for more than 2 years.

A: working diligently with Office of Personnel Management to turn in positions that have been vacant that long.

He wants a dollar amount.

Rep. Springer: wants to know if policies regarding remote work are in writing. Do employees understand they can take advantage of new workplace policies?

A: it is in writing, we're working on employee education and communication so they can use these policies.

Rep. Richardson: is percentage of federal funds average among other states?

A: impossible to say for sure, but likely not atypical.

Q: what is a specific slice of 10% of that revenue?

A: various other funds: medicaid provider fees, for ex.

Rep. Ladyman: Division of Medical Services takes a huge portion of funds; DMS only uses 1% of labor force. What's the reason for the disparity?

A: true, needed to match federal funds. A lot of external spending to claim services throughout the state.

And we're singing Happy Birthday to Sen. Elect/current Rep Scott. Sweet moment! Back to work.

Discussion of the LEARNS Act changes to education, which are extensive.

Huge request for appropriations to deal with employee shifts, increased scrutiny of residential placement programs, division restructuring, etc.

Exec is requesting more employees and the necessary appropriation to fund them.

As a side note a lot of divisions were basically transferred to different departments to deal with the LEARNS mess. That kind of reorganization is hugely difficult and expensive.

(Missed the questioner): wants info on individual education accounts: number of accounts, dollar amounts, and where the interest is. Also wants a master plan for renovation funds.

Info not currently available, but will be provided.

(that should be individual development accounts)

Rep. Lundstrum: curious about funds earmarked for a program that will be sunsetting this year related to TANF. The funding was matched with TANF block funds.

Rep. Wooten: a question about 17 specific positions and what their salaries are.

A: responsible for residential licensing for foster care/childcare placement.

Q: how do we receive federal matching funds - all at once, or spread out? What are you doing with the money when it comes in?

A: spread out, so we don't spend it in chunks. Agencies receive throughout the year based on revenue collection.

Wants to know about salary matching; it's a 50/50 split between state and federal funds.

Sen. Love: Also concerned about turnover specifically with Division of Child and Family Services. Asks about promotions (salary increases basically) to retain employees.

A: Gov.'s budget addresses this and we're excited to disburse funds. Supervisors can also receive overtime

Exec rec is adopted. Next up: Secretary's office.

Recommendation is to decrease number of positions because transfer of DCFS to DoE. Some chatter in the room, so a bit hard to hear for sure.

Rep. Kavanaugh: since 2019, we haven't disbursed funds from Grant Paying accounts, but we've transferred the funds. Where?

A: primarily workforce education. We can provide the details.

Exec Rec approved. Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Services up next.

Requested changes coming from the Gov's office.

Rep Kavanaugh: For community alcohol safety program, what do these funds have to be used for?

A: Has to be used for folks that are arrested for DUI - post-arrest education and training.

Apologies to Rep Cavenaugh for the misspelling!

Sen. Flowers: what is this "excess appropriations funding" line item?

Q: Funding sources like Medicaid match.

Q: are these specific allocations going to a specific agency?

A: yes, reallocation happens roughly 4 times annually.

Q: specific numbers (we don't have them in front of us) indicate a decrease, and will appear somewhere else in the budget?

A: yes, grouped with medical $$

Exec rec adopted. Children and Family Services up next!

Rep. Cavenaugh: Children's Trust Fund - don't seem to spend a lot out of the fund balance. What are we doing with the money?

A: Focused on primary prevention (things like supporting new moms, community schools)

Q: only spent $140k. We have a huge maternal mortality problem. Are there restrictions on this fund balance?

A: not sure, will get info to you. Sounds like she wants to see if the money can be used to drop maternal death rate.

Rep. Lundstrum wants to know number of folks that participate in the program.

Approved and onto county operations.

While the BLR rep provides the overview, reminder that Lundstrum once called tenants and renters "rats" and compared them to bug infestations. If she's asking about number of folks that use a program, it's a sure sign she wants to cut it. Can't have poor folks getting services!

Approved with no questions. Onto to Developmental Disabilities! Seem to be moving more quickly overall today.

another big shake up because of LEARNS. The effects of this horrible law are just unbelievable.

Rep. Duke: refugee resettlement program listed here, wants more details.

A: Federal program, funded through USDHS. Rigorous screening through Homeland Security. Provides small cash assistance for up to 12 months, along with supportive services and medical benefits.

Rep. Ennett: explain city homeless assistance grant.

A: purpose is to help address homelessness through shelters, street outreach, and rapid rehousing.

Rep. Ladyman: nearly doubled overtime budget. Increase because we can't fill positions?

A: No. It's preventative, we don't anticipate spending that amount.

Q: are we paying excess overtime when we could raise salaries?

A: trending in right direction.

Sen. Flowers: Individuals with Disabilities Act specific grant: nothing requested for biennium, wants details on why funds are being held over?

A: the 1.5 mil she's curious has to be requested every year through PEER subcommittee (a different process).

Flowers wants to understand purpose of grant and why moneys transferred are still listed under a budget. She wants further details later.

(Missed the rep): another question about refugee resettlement program - any idea of # of folks served?

A: in 2024 to date, there have been 130 individuals.

Rep. Beaty: wants the 2023 numbers.

A: 169, but may be the fiscal year. Needs to confirm fiscal v. calendar.

Rep. Rose: wants details on why requests for resettlement appropriations have increased.

A: because we're getting more refugees and requests! Most individuals go to work immediately and lose access to cash assistance. We request appropriations enough to cover all cash requests

Continued A: requesting more money to properly monitor program.

Q: Rose wants better breakdowns/projections of money and individuals served, + requested services.

Rep. Lundstrum: cost per person of homeless assistance program. Thinks there's a dissonance between budget and folks served.

A: Will get her those numbers.

Rep. Ennett: How is money doled out per county on homeless assistance program?

A: request for applications each year. Community orgs can apply. Now that COVID funding has ended, grant has returned to 1:1 match and normal size. Must show $ spent on allowable activities.

Rep. Rose: does refugee funding go to individuals or non-profits?

A: DHS not responsible for case management. Fed grants often go to orgs. DHS receives $ for cash and medical assistance, along with data tracking.

Rep. Rhodes: do any of these funds go to non-profits specifically?

A: yes.

Rhodes wants a list of non-profits.

Medical Services up next.

Apologies, all those questions were from Rep. Rose, not Rhodes.

Pretty big increases requested for Medical Services, totaling more than 450 million.

Rep. Lundstrum: question about how beds are allocated throughout the state. Doesn't want to put more money to nursing homes if expansion not possible. More info requested.

No further questions, moving on to Quality Assurance.

Quite a few legislators have cycled in and out of the room. Thin crowd on our side of the room!

No questions, executive rec accepted.

Youth services up!

Rep. Cavenaugh: residential services funding - 11 million more than what the spend was. Are we expecting an increase in number of kids?

A: Yes. Our numbers decreased during the pandemic, but started to see huge increases in 2023, so we are planning for that this year.

Attempting to drop those numbers, but can't say for sure. 372 currently in DYS custody. Avg. cost per day of most secure facilities about $302 per youth per day. Youth in juvenile detention center range from $90-100 per day. Other youth in group homes $140-160 per day

Q: what's total capacity?

A: tricky to say for sure, but we know we're over it in terms of staffing and beds. If we had funds we could hire more staff and add beds.

Can reopen older facilities if needed to add capacity.

Q: is capacity based on staff or beds?

A: Staffing ratios primarily, but we are also limited on staff.

Sen. Flowers: 372 kids in custody today; how many others placed in local juvenile centers?

A: not sure. We have 45 waiting for more beds to open up, but past that we're not sure. Simply don't have access to that info.

Q: are these 45 kids spread out, or concentrated somewhere? Concerned about Jefferson Co.'s agreement to take kids.

A: believes Jefferson Co. has 26-27, but most jurisdictions just have the kids that are in their space.

Sen. Flowers is concerned about Jeff Co's higher number of commitments. How do we ensure they're separated from youth that are in these facilities for delinquent acts?

A: if I had to speculate, the court decided to send the youth there, or we're waiting on adjudication.

Flowers wants more info on how daily rate is calculated and paid, as well as if additional funds are paid for kids w/ disabilities or special needs & how this is monitored.

Rep. Shepard: wants a comprehensive list of where all DYS kids are. Also curious about how medical costs are calculated.

A: some medical costs factored in, typically based on if the kid can be treated on site or not.

Rep. wants an accounting of all funding that goes to contractors outside DYS.

Rep. Collins: wants some details on how DYS is reducing residential services use.

A: look at this daily, working with community partners that are stationed in schools/courts. Trying to connect families with prevention services.

Q: do you feel like you have the right mix of funding w/in DYS?

A: working daily on that. Trying to increase prevention/diversion and anti-recidivism services.

Exec rec adopted, and DHS is done.

Education is up!

The favorite Florida man of #arpx is indeed in the hot seat.

Sec. Oliva thanks the legislative delegation for their support in implementing LEARNS.

Oh boy. We've documented extensively the legislators that have shilled for LEARNS and the disaster implementation has been. What a cracking opener from Oliva.

3.4+ billion dollars, comprised of a huge amount of various subsets and divisions. Believe they said over 70 line items.

BLR rep focused on line items with big changes.

3 new lines for LEARNS: maternal leave and services, and salary raises. No increase requested in those line items at this time.

Odd. Will have to put a pin in this.

Rep. Collins: 234 million requested in fund balance. Why so large? Are we trying to spend it down?

A: Tries to maintain about that level so we don't have to come back and ask for more/less every year.

Sen. M Johnson: constituents wanted to know about public service requirements - where will those requirements be posted, and how flexible are they going to be?

A: there are draft rules that will be put out next year for public comment. Lots of authority to local districts.

that's next THURSDAY, not next year. Whoops.

A: also discussing how exemptions might function; do not necessarily want to keep a student from graduating if they can't hit the requirement somehow.

Sen. Chesterfield: what entities use ABSCAN (data/communications hub)? Wants DYS to have access to this to avoid miscommunication between DYS facilities and schools.

A: working with facilities to make sure they're correctly using the service.

Q: what will the salaries look like next year? How will we ensure raises happen? How do we sustain teacher pay?

A: lot of waffling. Budget increases foundation funding, passes the buck down to individual districts. Incredible non-answer.

Chesterfield worried about year 2.

Q: education support professionals were not consulted on LEARNS who didn't get salary raises. How are we allocating funding to retain them?

A: we'll make sure we prioritize that. Helpful, thanks.

Sen. Flowers: is school facilities/transportation part of ABSCAN?

A: No. That's under the partnership program; districts required to have a facilities maintenance schedule.

Q: Will we see appropriations for computer services to help with this?

A: Yes. It's not in the public school fund (appropriation currently under discussion).

Q: How do we deal with the balance in these funds to help renovate buildings? (20 mil being transferred out)

A: Yes - going to division of academic buildings.

Rep. Cavenaugh: curious about where money is coming in from; was moved in to help with salary raises.

Rep. Garner: excited to see maternity leave in LEARNS, but I've heard we're only paying half the cost of a sub. How will schools pay the cost of maternity leave?

A: still in rules development for this process. Lots of districts already have this built into budget.

A: we've had some "aha" moments as we've gone through implementation (I'm sure you have!) so we're still working on it.

Q: I'm also getting feedback from educational co-ops on how money for positions was reallocated?

A: coops receive money from the state, but if we don't have return on our investment, we're not guaranteeing the funding. It's not an entitlement.

Q: where are we reallocating those funds then?

A: literacy, science, and math initiatives, just not through co-ops. Going to ensure dollars are being used for their intended purpose.

Rep. Ladyman: merit teacher incentive - we didn't spend any of the money allocated. Can we spend it for our seasoned teachers? Are there promulgated rules? (10 mil)

A: Still developing a method to do that. There are work groups outlining the process.

Side note: so many of his answers have started with something similar. "There's a lot of nuance" or "we're still working on that."

These are reallyyyyy questions that should have been considered, if not fully answered, prior to implementation. Shocking not to have more info.

Q from a different rep about school lunch funding; carrying over a local deficit, so how to address that demand for free/reduced lunches?

A: yet another "complicated nuanced answer", but Oliva isn't sure. Will work together to look at it. No child should go hungry.

Sen. Petty: declining enrollment districts fund, how will LEARNS/EFA affect those line items?

A: doesn't want to make assumptions in year 1; wants to wait for hard data. Encouraging districts to work w/ families on how to meet needs.

Q: concerned about the earlier statement on co-ops - Petty's rural district relies a lot on them, and he's worried about funding getting slashed there.

A: Oliva's a big fan of co-ops, but they need to be effective.

Q: re: increase in state foundation funding?

A: may see a different increase number during Fiscal. We'll look out for that then!

Rep. Duke: in regards to salary increase, for districts that have to add a teacher, they aren't receiving any money to get that teacher to 50k? How can we help them? Concern/frustration for districts that used split classes to maximize space and pay better, they feel a penalty.

Now they might not get assistance w/ the 50k raise issue. How will you address those issues?

A: we have to address those issues (agreed, would love your plan to do that!) but there may be unintended consequences and some "winners and losers"

We can't believe this. Education isn't a competition! No one should lose! Wow. Will come back to this for sure.

He's talking about how to "shore that up" in the future.

Q: nothing precluding districts from doing their own teacher incentive rewards?

A: nope! lots of federal grants available for that.

Rep. Wooten: Hears complaints about long-time teachers getting smaller raises than new teachers. Thinks that's unfair. How do we fix that problem?

A: Every teacher was funded to get a 2k raise. Wooten pushing back: "districts doing the best they can with what they have"

Big kudos to Wooten for pushing back against this.

Wooten not falling for this, defending struggling districts against an "unfair system"

Now he's back asking about budgeted positions that are vacant.

To clarify, Oliva was trying to blame districts for not properly allocating the raise money, but that's a finite pot! Once it's out, it's out. Wouldn't blame poor districts in maybe doling that out more carefully.

Q: Total additional cost for LEARNS, comparing to what we had before?

A: so far this fiscal year, 213 mil. Recommended budget for FY25 is 322 mil.

Wooten: "you can't tell us how much it costs."

As a reminder, Wooten stood up for "what's right" during this sham.
kark.com/news/your-loca…

Q: will you publicly show the test scores for private schools vs. public schools?

A: can't publish individual scores, but if we have enough students for a sample size, we could post by subject areas.

Q: is there funding for a data comparison?

A: another "nuanced and complicated" answer, thanks for nothing Secretary.

Wooten finally cut off. Again, kudos to him for his principled stand.

Sen. Flowers: wants more detail about education renewal zones, to collaborate with higher ed to help bring up academic standards.

A: will provide an overview of some projects that ERZ have done in other districts.

Flowers wants to know where they are, why not one in PB?

Q: what is the expected result/impact of collaborations w/ higher ed, particularly in distressed school districts?

A: they'll get back to her.

Rep. Lundstrum: lot of money for declining school district funds - believe she's asking about difference between consolidation funds.

A: there's a fund for consolidation; one district will still get money for 2 years.

Q: distance learning. How many distance students and are we testing them?

A: Not sure. Mainly grants to co-ops to work with IT coordinators for online classes.

Q: how do we allocate for different positions - teachers vs. administrators?

A: no roadblocks for individual districts. Some guidance, some are part of standards for accreditation, but admin positions not necessarily part of staffing matrix.

Rep. Collins: what do you estimate we'll spend on just private school vouchers?

Oh boy.

A: Finite number in the budget. When we hit that number, that's the amount of scholarships available. Year 2 budget recommends a doubling of the allotment.

Applications come in next month, so we'll know more.

Dismang chimes in: that's up to us, in some sense. Written that way in the law; once we determine allocation, DoE can promulgate rules for the 3 year max threshold.

Collins: you may have an anticipated/projected level, so I'd like a ballpark number.

A: Got nothing for you chief! Nice. Not like that's a huge deal.

Rep. Richardson: How many districts getting isolated funding?

A: not sure, written for specific school districts, but total number has gone down as districts have been consolidated, etc.

Circling back, sad to not see Sen. King here (as far as we can tell). He's been another pretty vocal critic of LEARNS and we need more of those voices in the room.

Rep. Ennett: explain the "at risk" category for districts and how money is allocated to those districts.

A: that money is used for ACT prep.

Exec rec finally approved.

Onto state libraries. Anybody seen Jason lately?

Sen. Peyton: how many libraries qualify for this funding?

A: most libraries that qualify receive state aid under current standards; we're working on how to increase number of libraries that increase state aid and have rules under consideration. Anticipate additions.

Sen. Sullivan (this might be fun): how does one qualify to receive state aid?

A: state library board sets qualifications. Certain libraries have been disqualified because they're too small.

Sullivan: is policy for criteria promulgated, or discretion of board?

A: promulgated

Exec rec approved. Glad Sullivan didn't make a stink. Up last: career and tech education!

Might see a gov's letter altering the numbers here, but some increases.

(missed the questioner): question about definition of vocational training centers; it's hard to properly disburse aid to places that could really benefit from it.

A: Consolidation of the division into Higher Ed helped streamline a full educational system.

A: 31 secondary career centers regionally located. Vast majority attached to colleges/universities so students can receive concurrent credit. Students that take one concurrent credit 2x as likely to continue to a credential.

Locations decided some time ago. The funds come to our division through budgetary process, and we pass on to Office of Skill Development, who funds centers based on student full-time equivalency.

Rep. Collins: workforce is a huge issue; little surprised that we have a flat budget here. Do you really feel like we don't need to make increased investments?

A: We're behind, but we want to be sure people understand higher/career education are not exclusive.

Would love to see more investment in both colleges and career education.

Not really sure the question was answered fully, but c'est la vie.

Collins wants more specificity on items that might merit more investment.

A: we have a list of high wage/high growth jobs that varies by region and based on national economy. We try to align funding with these targeted industries so we can attract out of state business by having an already-trained workforce in that industry.

A: equipment in workforce training is a huge cost - need time to train on these complicated/heavy equipments that are frequently part of workforce training. Constant struggle to maintain equipment and stay relevant.

Collins grateful to be given specifics.

(missed questioner again, apologies): is there a way to get a high school graduate who's taken lots of workforce training an easier path to certification, something like concurrent credit?

Oliva with the answer: reality is every institution has their own criteria.

A: we've been working with the workforce cabinet to make sure we're all working toward the same vision; we need a common definition of "high wage, high skill, high growth". Lots of talk about "vision" for these students.

Communities have succeeded with some of this, but trying to replicate those successes across the state.

Rep. Ladyman: re: equipment - some companies would work with colleges and provide them with equipment; can high schools create a similar relationship/get grants from companies/entities?

A: definitely; depends on the company. Best models are when communities leverage all assets.

No legal roadblocks, but some institutions are more robust/have better foundations for this.

Exec rec approved. We are done with day 2!

We'll see you back tomorrow for Public Safety and Health.

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