Rick Scott Proposes Record High Education Funding

Gov. Rick Scott continued unveiling parts of his proposed budget, focusing on education on Monday morning. Scott announced his proposed budget would send $18.84 billion for K-12 public schools, $2 billion for state colleges and $3.59 billion for Floridas state universities. All of these are the highest levels in state history.

Building on the record K-12 education funding and teacher pay raises and classroom debit cards of last year, I am committing an historic $18.8 billion in total funding K-12 education, Scott said. We need to provide the tools, training and funding to give our students the best chance for success.

And our commitment to education doesnt stop at the K-12 level, Scott added. We expect our students to get the best education at our state institutions of higher education that leads to a great job and career. Thats why Im also investing record total funding for state colleges of $2 billion and $3.59 billion for Florida public universities. Our students deserve the best quality education, and this funding will help to ensure that every degree achieved is followed by a great career.

Scotts proposals are more than $540 million more than last years levels of K-12 funding and $40 million more for state colleges. The new proposal adds $40 million more to state universities.