The plan is Senate Bill 376. If enacted, Florida colleges and universities can expect extensive changes to funding and regulation.

  Governor Scott’s previous K-12 reform was met by a broad spectrum of public opinion. The controversial Senate Bill 736, also known as the Student Success Act, cut faculty salaries by an average of $2,335 per teacher. The extent to which the overhaul will effect university and college professors has yet to be announced. However, Texas Governor Rick Perry has been cited as a source of inspiration. If the pending reform does in fact resemble that of Texas, Florida’s professors will soon have salaries based on a variety of new factors—including class size and student evaluations.

  While some Floridians praise Scott’s plans to privatize sector of Public education, others feel his actions may be rife with unintentional consequences. Many Florida teachers have been openly and adamantly opposing the K-12 reform. Not only possible facing a threat to their job security, local teachers may also be required to pay five percent of their salary toward their retirement.

  Governor Scott has already vetoed several funding requests for what are, in his opinion, special interest ear-marks. The extensive $615 million list of cuts—include the University of Miami Cancer Research, University of South Florida Medical Center, and Polk State College Institute for Public Safety. The cuts are intended to redirect unnecessary spending back into the Public Education system. However, Gov. Scott has also cut funding per student by ten percent. The effects of the bill may become evident by terms end.