Governor Crist Announces Education Investments to Promote Innovation

Governor Charlie Crist today addressed the Board of Governors of Florida’s 11 state universities, applauding their innovative New Florida Building Florida’s Knowledge Economy initiative.

Outlining his 2010-11 budget priorities for Florida’s colleges and universities. The Governor proposed $7.1 billion for higher education, including a $100-million increase to state universities to build research and education capacity in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM). The Governor also announced a $67-million increase for Florida’s 28 community colleges to meet rising enrollment without increasing tuition.

“Education is the engine that drives the economy for Florida. This $7.1-billion investment in our institutions of higher learning will help us continue the strong push toward building an economy based on knowledge and innovation,” Governor Crist said. “All Floridians will reap the benefits of these investments resulting in opportunities for job training, job preparedness, and ultimately job creation.”

Governor Crist recently called on Florida’s Talent Supply Chain – the Board of Governors, Agency for Workforce Innovation, Department of Education and Workforce Florida – to embrace a new era of collaboration by formally partnering with Florida’s business leaders to develop a strategic plan to ensure Florida’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of a global, knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. The shared strategy will ensure students can access educational opportunities and gain skills that will increase Florida’s economic competitiveness.

Governor Crist’s higher education budget priorities include $3.6 billion for the state university system. He recommended $5 million for state university research commercialization matching grants. While the Governor proposed no tuition increase for resident undergraduates at Florida’s state universities, state universities have the continued authority to increase the tuition differential fee by up to 15 percent.

Governor Crist also recommended $2 billion to support community colleges, including $9.5 million to maintain bachelor’s degree programs offered by colleges within the Florida College System. Governor Crist proposed no tuition increase for resident undergraduates at community colleges.