Florida Education Association

The Florida Department of Education and state officials defend the legality of the school voucher system, arguing that damages claimed by the Florida Education Association are speculative and not caused by the state. The FEA and other plaintiffs, including parents and a teacher, filed a lawsuit alleging the voucher system violates the Florida Constitution's requirement for a uniform public education system. The state maintains that the Family Empowerment Scholarship program supplements, rather than replaces, public schools.

The Florida Legislature approved a $114.5 billion budget for fiscal years 2026-27, with Republicans highlighting reduced spending and Democrats criticizing insufficient support for schools, healthcare, and the environment. The budget includes a $300 million tax cut package, $4 million for the Groveland Four, and $250 million for an emergency fund linked to immigration enforcement. A property tax debate is set for a special session, with Governor Ron DeSantis proposing increased homestead exemptions facing opposition from local governments, education groups, and businesses.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' property tax proposal, which includes increasing homestead exemptions to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, differs from the $500,000 exemption he described. The legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 2F, caps assessed value increases for non-homestead properties but does not address small businesses as DeSantis claimed. The Florida Education Association raised concerns about potential impacts on school funding.

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis' proposal to increase the homestead property tax exemption, warning it would jeopardize school funding. The plan, which would exempt $150,000 of a homestead's value from taxes in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, could reduce local revenue critical for schools, which rely on 46% of the Florida Education Finance Program from local funding. DeSantis proposed a trust fund to offset the impact, but the Florida House's similar amendment failed to advance in the Senate.

Florida's new law, Senate Bill 1296, imposes stricter regulations on public sector unions, requiring at least 50% of teachers in a school district to vote in favor of union representation and annual elections if membership falls below 60%. Teachers’ unions, including United Teachers of Dade and Broward Teachers Union, criticize the law as an attack on their survival, while supporters argue it addresses unions not representing the majority of teachers.