© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Changes In Store But School Donation Bill Passes Committee

Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo)
The Florida Channel

Floridians could contribute to school construction projects at the same time they buy groceries under a House plan proposed by Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo).  The measure passed its committee with ease, but some lawmakers question the cost.

Finding funding is a constant concern in the Legislature, but a new plan would allow businesses to take in voluntary contributions for schools from their customers.  The money would be funneled into the Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, fund.  Raschein hopes the plan will be solvent, but Rep. John Tobia (R-Melbourne) wants a sunset provision just in case.

“So the state isn’t impacted by spending almost sixty thousand dollars a year and receiving less than what they’re spending for said program,” Tobia says.

Raschein agreed to work on his suggestion as well as a number of other issues.  Lawmakers expressed concern about an auditing exemption as well as who would get to write off the contribution on their taxes.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.