As Governor Prepares to Sign Budget, FCCB Urges Funding Protections in Key Areas

Governor Ron DeSantis has until the end of June to sign the state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget was passed by the legislature in an extended session that concluded on March 19. Due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, significant line item vetoes by Governor DeSantis are anticipated.

The FCCB has sent the governor correspondence urging budgeted allocations be maintained for the following three key areas:

Protect School Choice Funding 
The FCCB urges the governor to preserve the following school choice priorities in the state's annual budget: the one-percent-growth rate for the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) Program; the $49 per-child boost in Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK) Scholarships; and the $42 million overall funding boost for the Gardiner Scholarship Program.  

Protect Pregnancy Center Funding
The conference urges the governor to preserve the  $4 million allocation for the Florida Pregnancy Support Services Program (FPSSP). The pandemic has created a greater need for pregnancy center services, and funding is needed now as much as ever. Due to the rise in unemployment rates, more women and families find themselves without health insurance, and therefore, in need of the free well-woman exam provided by the program.   

Support for Nursing Home Budget Appropriations
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Florida's nursing centers makes the need for this funding even greater. The FCCB asks the governor to retain the needed Medicaid rate increase for nursing center care. The funds allocated to specific appropriations are necessary to meet existing funding needs and the added challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased costs for personal protective equipment and staffing costs for nursing centers.