Staff Reports
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill (SB 62) that would have allowed prisoners in state or federal prisons to keep their status as in-state residents for tuition purposes.
Florida currently charges in-state residents a lower tuition rate than those who come to the state from elsewhere to go to college. The bill that was sponsored by Sen. Rosalind Osgood would have guaranteed that a person would remain classified as an in-state resident even if they were incarcerated.
Osgood had filed the bill for two straight sessions and told Florida Politics last year that she was sponsoring it to help those convicted of crimes rehabilitate.
“This creates an opportunity for those who want to pursue some type of educational opportunity, which we all would agree will make them more marketable and employable,” Osgood said last year. “We talk about recidivism rates and then we look at economic benefits — them going to school, getting access to education and whatever services they’re eligible for is certainly better for us than them getting out after being in prison for three years and having no additional skills or intellectual capacity.”
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said it will continue to work with the advocates, families, and bi-partisan group of legislators who recognize the enormous benefit this type of legislation can give to Florida.
“We are disappointed by the governor’s veto of a bill that sought to strengthen public safety, increase successful reentry, and stimulate Florida’s economy. SB 62 was poised to improve access to higher education by addressing the challenges of residency requirements, for tuition purposes, for those incarcerated and recently released people who are looking to improve their lives,” the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said.
However, in a brief veto letter written on Tuesday, DeSantis said that incarcerated students should not receive the discount associated with in-state tuition rates.
“Florida’s higher education system has ranked #1 in the country for nearly a decade, partly due to the state’s investment in our institutions over that same period. We should not reward criminal activity by providing inmates with the same benefits as law-abiding citizens.”
The bill moved through the Legislature relatively easily. It was passed unanimously by the Senate, while five Republicans voted against the bill in the House.
DeSantis vetoed eight bills from the 2024 Session, and slashed nearly $1 billion from the budget through his line item veto power.
24 comments
Elvis Pitts "LIFE COACH" American
June 26, 2024 at 6:39 am
Thank you America’s most bestest Govornor,
“If you do the crime you gotta do the time”.
That time includes The Prisioner …. Not The Govornment dealing with re-employment upon release. Yeah you (The Prisioner €ffed up) and are responsable for yourself after you served your time.
This Sage common sense Wisdom has been brought to you by America’s most prominate and beloved Life Coach.
Thanks again Ron,
Elvis Pitts American
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Jay Smif
June 26, 2024 at 5:32 pm
So you agreed that Fat Hitler Donald Trump should serve the maximum penalty for the 34 felonies he was convicted of, along with the other felonies he’s going to be prosecuted for as well.
Good to know!
Elvis Pitts "LIFE COACH" American
June 27, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Sorry Smif, but you are being placed under a painfull 3 day Chastizement for your smart mouthed insults of ME, Elvis Pitts American. Your Chastizement imcludes a painfull 3 day masturbation ban also.
Feel the Burn Smif,
Elvis Pitts American
Ricky Bobby
June 26, 2024 at 6:48 am
Osgood is simply out of her mind. Thank God we have DeSantis as Governor to veto this type of junk. Oh and buh bye Jamaal Bowman. Squad minus one now.🤣
Tom
June 26, 2024 at 8:32 am
At least we have the good sense to get rid of the dead wood. I see bobo won by a “handy” margin though. Apparently, you guy’s like stupid.
Impeach Biden
June 26, 2024 at 8:39 am
Stupid on your side: Maxine Waters, Corey Bush, AOC, Hank Johnson, Jerry Nadler, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Pramila Jayapal.
Tom
June 26, 2024 at 8:42 am
I’m sure the character limit for a post would not be enough for me to respond so … have a nice day.
Impeach Biden
June 26, 2024 at 8:50 am
Oh there are plenty more. Have a nice day Tom.😀
Michael K
June 26, 2024 at 7:22 am
This bill passed with bipartisan support from both houses. It is about rehabilitation and a chance for incarcerated to prepare for re-entry.
The governor seems to relish inflicting cruelty on others. This is not rewarding criminals. It is petty and vindictive and spiteful – more red meat for the rubes.
JustBabs
June 26, 2024 at 8:08 am
Cruelty is the point with Desantis. These same prisoners are going to be released. It’s to everyone’s benefit for them to be able to obtain employment. Nothing like creating more issues. I guess Republicans just want to have a lot of whine about,.
Tom
June 26, 2024 at 8:40 am
Sadly there is a difference between rehabilitation and retribution and we’re very much on the side of retribution. If people don’t learn their lesson the first time then by all means incarcerate them but at least give them one chance to turn their lives around. Just red meat for the base as you say. Tough on crime indeed.
Marvin M.
June 26, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Almost could not have been more bipartisan.
The passage of the bill was unanimous in the Senate and 90.8% voting Yea in the House.
(4.2% Nay and 5% didn’t vote).
I hope they are teeing up a veto override vote.
Another Orwellian change in the meaning of a word just to be mean
June 26, 2024 at 9:43 am
Inmates are, by any common sense definition, residents and it is in literally everyone’s best interest to see them receive more education. This veto is yet another un-Christian act by DeSantis just to look “tough.”
Delene Cole
June 26, 2024 at 11:49 am
So many of the actions taken by this Gov. are meant to inflict harm on others while “lifting” him in the eyes of the dysfunctional GOP. Oh, and then he puts his support behind a convicted felon and judicated sexual offender to hold the highest office in our country. The irony in he and other Repub. jokers is pathetic.
My Take
June 26, 2024 at 10:54 am
DeScumtis — “WWADRD”
What Would A Dumb Redneck Do?
It keeps his base happy0
Joe
June 26, 2024 at 11:00 am
This is just stupid, pointless, and mean.
That’s Tiny D’s governorship in a nutshell.
PeterH
June 26, 2024 at 11:59 am
FREEDUMB STATE OF FLORIDA PRISONER REHABILITATION
Keep prisoners uneducated so they become productive citizens upon their release.
LawLib
June 26, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Another head-scratcher from our vindictive demagogue in Tallahassee. He spouts Christian mores but fails to practice what he preaches. He needs rehabilitation a lot more than Florida’s criminals looking to improve their lives after incarceration. What a sad state of affairs.
KathrynA
June 26, 2024 at 2:53 pm
And pray tell, how are they supposed to pay for tuition?? They have no income?
Elvis Pitts "LIFE COACH" American
June 26, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Good evening to all you Dook 4 Brains Leftys above,
They are in PRISION you stupid leftys. Its pumishment for rapeing and killing your child. We dont coddle and educate prisioners with government money.
You can pay your childs killer’s college tuition out of your pocket but NOT the govornment.
You Dook 4 Brains Leftys are SOOOOOO STUPID.
Thank you, Dook 4 Brains Leftys above,
Elvis Pitts “America’s Go-To-Political-Guru” American
KathrynA
June 27, 2024 at 8:26 am
Not all inmates are incarcerated for such serious crimes and are there for a a year or two. Can we educate them or get job training so they can be gainfully employed or release them with no job skills and wander our streets homeless and selling drugs and other illegal activities! Not all families can afford the price of tuition-/ some are trying to make ends meet just to provide for their children.
TJC
June 27, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Nice to hear a voice of reason, a thoughtful comment, a logical conclusion. Thank you, KarthrynA!
Larry Gillis, Libertarian (Cape Coral)
June 28, 2024 at 1:47 pm
What does the Florida Constitution say about the actual purpose of incarceration? (The NH Constitution famously says the purpose is “rehabilitation, not extermination”).
Vote Libertarian. See: http://www.lpf.org