Florida (1998)

The Center has been closely following developments in the Florida legislature because of threatened attacks on campus speech. The introduction of a bill by Senator Kirkpatrick in January raised concerns that members of the legislature were trying to wrest power away from campuses for the fees that support campus activities.A recent development in the Florida debate are a series of committee recommendations on student activities funding. Released jointly by two House education committees, the recommendations would require that the legislature define what fees community colleges and universities are allowed to collect. It would also prevent institutions from assessing any fee without specific approval under state statutes. These proposals have fueled concern that Kirkpatrick is trying to build momentum for his bill and heavy-handed oversight by the legislature of campus activities.

* Update: This bill was defeated in the 1998 legislative session *

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