Another $200 million under the House plan would go toward “Schools of Hope,” meant to encourage non-profit charter school operators with track records of high performance among low-income students to open campuses in areas where traditional public schools have received “D” or “F” grades on state reports cards for more than three consecutive years. The Senate hasn’t created that program.
The two sides are also far apart on funding for higher education in general, and state universities in particular. The Senate would spend $5.1 billion on the state university system, compared to $4.6 billion from the House.
ECONOMIC INCENTIVES
For Gov. Rick Scott, the session’s highest priority might be what the Legislature does in this area of the budget.
House lawmakers have repeatedly bucked Scott and approved legislation to eliminate Enterprise Florida, the state’s business-recruitment agency. The House budget stays true to that, giving no money to Enterprise Florida and $25 million for Visit Florida, which promotes tourism to the state.