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Photo of the Florida Capitol with the words Legislative Update 2023

The Florida Legislative session begins tomorrow- Tuesday, March 7th. For the next 60 days, the Florida House and Senate will debate many policies that will impact our children and their schools.

It is so important to tell our elected officials what we want for our children, teachers and public schools.

Read the update below and visit the Advocacy Dashboard to take action for students. We make it easy to identify and contact your legislators via email and/or social media. Together, we can advocate for policies that invest in children and support their future.

 
photo of health care worker with young child

Speak up for children's access to healthcare

A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers have filed bills that would give more of our state's neediest children access to basic health care. When children are healthy, they are ready to learn. Healthy children lead to healthy communities where all children can have a strong start and reach their full potential. 

According to the Children's Movement of Florida, our state ranks near the bottom in terms of providing our children with access to quality health care. Without routine screening, only an estimated 30% of children with developmental issues are identified before they reach kindergarten. Early intervention can support families and caregivers to promote success in school and in life.

Tell Florida lawmakers that you support expanding access to basic health care for children. 

crayons wrapped in money

Protect kids from voucher expansion

The Legislature's priority bill expands education vouchers and is estimated to drain more than $4.6 billion from public school funding. The most recent data shows that Florida is 43rd in public education funding -- more than $5,000 behind the national average. Our educators, students and schools cannot afford this massive giveaway of precious dollars.

The last voucher expansion actually cut funding for public schools by 9% in the 2022-2023 school year. Florida students face numerous challenges caused by the disruptions of the pandemic and an unprecedented exodus of qualified educators. Now is the time to stabilize education funding to support the very real needs of students, not to put that funding in jeopardy for a program with no financial limits on how much it can divert from local schools.

Tell politicians you stand with the vast majority of Florida's parents that choose to send their children to public school. Tell them to use our tax dollars responsibly to invest in our children and their public schools.

photo of jar full of coins with a label that says school

Advocate for public school funding

Gov. DeSantis has released his budget calling for a slight increase in spending for K12 education. As the 2023 Legislative Session gets underway, it is important legislators provide more funding and much needed flexibility so locally elected leaders can make decisions based on local needs and priorities.

Florida's students have experienced a lot of uncertainty during their education due to the pandemic. Distance learning, economic instability, and family health crises have impacted a generation of children. Schools need additional resources and investment to assist students and retain experienced educators and staff. 

Tell politicians to invest in children, educators, and public schools.

 
 

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