Bill revamping Florida community colleges signed by Governor Crist
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Governor Charlie Crist signed Senate Bill 2682 today, a bill co-sponsored by State Senator Carey Baker (R-Eustis), also a candidate for Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill, introduced by Senator Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie), expands the educational services of Florida community colleges, allowing them to offer more degree options for students and working adults. The bill establishes 28 full-time community colleges to service Florida’s 67 counties, giving Floridians who have been unable to enroll in state universities due to enrollment cuts or freezes and opportunity to enjoy the benefits of an accredited higher education.
Senator Baker believes that as state universities must tighten their belts and hold back enrollments, it is critical that community colleges continue to offer more and better educational opportunities for Florida students and workers. This bill is an important step forward in providing necessary reforms that increase educational opportunity without increasing overall costs in a struggling economy, meaning long-term job creation and economic growth in the future.
