Hey gang, today marks an exciting new development for me. This is officially my first day on the ground in Tallahassee, where I will be your state education policy reporter with @politicofl.

RT @JasonDelgadoX: Quick look at what inside a detainment tent looks like here at Alligator Alcatraz.

Hung up: Instead of banning students from using cellphones in high school, Florida lawmakers asked the state to study the idea. Today @GovRonDeSantis vetoed the $356,046 set aside for the pilot program, so it's unclear how that will work.

@GovRonDeSantis The squad: .Florida's University System.University System of Georgia.University of North Carolina System.University of South Carolina.University of Tennessee System.Texas A&M University System.

Florida and 5 university systems are creating a new college accreditation board to take on the "cartel" in higher ed---. "We didn't really have the prospects of launching anything like this successfully during the Biden years, but it's a new day" @GovRonDeSantis.

RT @tbridis: It’s getting more expensive for out-of-state students - who pay nearly $30,000 per year in tuition alone - to attend Florida’s….

"It’s really in response to the House settlement — and in response to what a lot of other states are doing in response to that settlement — that would put us in the entire state of Florida at a competitive disadvantage, said FSU board Chair Peter Collins.

FSU today became the first school to cash in on a state rule allowing colleges to move millions of dollars around to hit the maximum revenue share with student athletes under the House settlement. Trustees agreed to move $22.5M.

RT @Jason_Garcia: At least we got a list-minute change to make sure the telecom lobbyist-turned-president of Florida's only public historic….

Links---. Background: BOG rule proposal:

NIL deal: Florida may allow uni's to spend money generated by auxiliaries like housing and bookstores on sports, giving them a new outlet to stay competitive. This would go into effect ahead of the expected July 1 deadline for a new revenue-sharing model in college sports.

Lawmakers are considering $945M in new K-12 spending for next year, with more than 70% coming from property taxes — a higher rate compared to previous budgets. Last year, 33% of the state's $1.2B education increase came from property taxes; 58% in 23-24; 45% in 22-23.

While Gov. DeSantis advocates for property tax relief, Florida appears to be relying on that revenue to help offset declining public-school enrollment with the nation’s largest school-choice program booming:. w/ Mr. @fineout .

The legislation aimed to widen Florida's definition of a "persistently" low-performing school, more than doubling the current number of 51 campuses serving more than 55,000 students. The move would open the door for more charter schools to open nearby these schools.

Back from the dead: A proposal to expand charter schools in Florida that "died" during session is back on the table. The bill (HB1267) would have allowed certain charters to use vacant or surplus school district property, or even “co-locate” inside a traditional public school

RT @fineout: In remarks to reporters Fla. House Speaker @Daniel_PerezFL called what happened in UF presidential search "embarrassing." Said….

An unprecedented decision by the university system Board of Governors erases a presidential pick that UF trustees expected to propel the school into greater national prominence: .

Florida university officials reject Santa Ono as UF's president.

This is probably the biggest education budget issue for Florida:.

Renner said he did not initiate the conversation with UF:. “I was asked by a trustee at the University of Florida to speak to the chair, which I did, and he said he wasn’t interested – and that’s it,” Renner told his fellow BOG members.

As Florida leaders contemplate approving Santa Ono at UF, it was just revealed that former House Speaker Paul Renner was asked at one point about the job. Renner, who will vote on the hire soon, said he has no intention of takin the job regardless of the BOG's decision.