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.
