Florida

Living in south Florida and attending Florida Atlantic University, we are surrounded by such a unique diverse population and student body. We have so many different cultures, backgrounds, and religions going on all around us. This can include as well as our workplace, Throughout all of the jobs I have ever had here in Boca Raton, it has always been extremely diverse wherever I go, I believe it is a wonderful thing to be brought around so many different cultures and backgrounds. According to a recent demographic analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center, by 2055, the US, will no longer have a single racial or ethnic majorityt In the workplace, some key business reasoning for effective management of a diverse workforce can include the following. According to an article from PeopleScout, prioritizing communication can be a top key reason for effective management. This is to properly communicate any rules, procedures, policies, etc.

Also, treating each employee as an individual is important, as well as encouraging employees to work in diverse groups together. Furthermore, being open-minded to “recognize and encourage employees to acknowledge one’s experience, culture or background” is valuable to the workplace. When hiring in the workplace, PeopleScout states that it is crucial to recruit and hire talent from all different backgrounds, “If organizations can break through bias and hire the most qualified people, those with the right education, credentials, experience and skill sets, a diverse workplace should be the natural result” (PeopleScout). Working in multiple different industries so far, I love working with such a diverse team of others. Being raised in Boca Raton and going to school with kids my whole life from other countries, islands, backgrounds and cultures have been an amazing opportunity for myself to learn what else is out there in the world, I think that being open-minded today is super important in terms of diversity. Culture is a beautiful and wonderful thing!

Citations

1. Cohrr, Dr, & Caumont, At (2016, March 31)‘ 10 demographic trends that are shaping the US and the world. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/ZO16/03/31/10-demugraphic» trends-[hat-are-shaping-the-u-s—and-the-world/
2. Managing Diversity in the Workplace Diversity [ PeopleScoutt (2018, February 26) Retrieved from http://www,peoplescout.corn/getting-right—understanding—managing-diversity-in-workplace/

A significant event in my life would be me getting accepted into Florida State University. The choice to go to school was never mine. My parents told me that I had to go. And I think it was basically because they never went to school for themselves, so they wanted me to to have that experience. Throughout my high school experience, my parents told me two main things: to stay involved in the community and get good grades. They considered those two things to be automatic to get into any college. So of the course I did what I was told and volunteered most of my free time with my brothers’ baseball and football teams, helping them with whatever they needed. In addition to that.

I also took an active part in school life, becoming president of the AVID club,which kept students informed of the many college opportunities out there for them. As well as tutoring students within my school who were having a hard time with Algebra. While making high honor roll year after year. As Senior Year rolled around college was the ONLY topic of discussion. All I’d hear about was where everyone planned on going, how far it was from home, roommate situations, and the different organizations people wanted to join. Unfortunately for me at that time I had no idea where I wanted to go and I began to get aggravated hearing about everyone getting accepted and applying to all these different places.

But then one day my dad set me up an appointment with an advisor who informed me of the CARE Program offered at FSU. It was a program designed to provide academic support for those students who were the first in their family to attend college. An opportunity for me to experience college life in the summer, so by fall semester I was fully prepared. And knew what to expect.

Once I was told about this program I knew this was the school for me and I was ready for this new experience to start. As soon as my decision was made on what college I wanted to go to I began to get a little anxious. I was always warned by my high school teachers of all the essays I’d have to write, how my professors didn’t care if I came to class, and that the only thing that was graded was maybe two or three test and that would be my grade. I was not looking forward to writing essays because I always thought of myself as a poor writer, but as Summer Semester started and the essay due dates were announced, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

I wrote a couple book reports and reaction papers and almost always got an A. Although going to class was never an issue for me, it was always in the back of my mind that there was no way my professor would know if I came to class or not. That I could actually get away with not going, but I saw what it did to a few students who chose not to come and they suffered with bad grades. The thing I worried about the most was the fact that tests made up majority of your grade in college. And that puts a lot of pressure on me and I would be stressed out every single day up until the test, but I eventually figured out a way to get over that. I began to start reviewing my notes every day after class and asking questions when I don’t understand something. That way the days leading up to test day I wasn’t completely freaking out, I knew my stuff.

As with most states in the Union, the State of Florida faces a looming budget crisis. Revenues are down, expenses are up. Localities are raising taxes on individuals many of whom are already facing job and home losses. The business community is in a recession, drastically reducing tax revenues especially at the state level. There is already a growing backlash against Federal spending and the threat of tax increases. In response, state officials are scrambling to find cuts in spending. Whenever this phenomenon occurs, education is the easiest target.

For Florida and most other states, education comprises the biggest single expenditure of taxpayer money. In recent years critics have gained some traction with the argument that more spending on education is not necessarily better. Fundamentally, they are correct. Well targeted spending increases with accountability, in contrast, can have dramatic effects on student and teacher performance. As we move through the 21st century, having a well-educated populace will only become more important. Meanwhile the characteristics and needs of Florida’s students are changing.

This is not the time to give up on the public education system that grew America from a third-rate nation into the world’s only superpower. Education budget cuts at this time are dangerous for Floridians and the nation as a whole. Fortunately there are viable alternatives. This paper will assess the relevant issues and discuss the alternatives and their resulting effects on the stakeholders. The Current State of Affairs The State of Florida is currently in an unprecedented budget crunch. The State is borrowing money to make payments on the money it borrowed last year.

Revenues fro property taxes and other sources have fallen dramatically. Previously untouchable programs and services are now potentially on the chopping block for legislators. In 2008, the state was dealing with a $2. 3 billion budget shortfall. Economist’s projections for the near future are not good. Most revenue sources for the state, including sales tax, are expected to decrease in the near-term. If anything alarmist predictions are causing people to spend less, thereby reducing state revenues.

Statements such as the following send tremors through the population: ”Anyone who depends on the state should be deathly afraid,” according to Ron Book, a lobbyist for local governments (Caputo and Klas, 2008). Statements like this are particularly alarming for Florida’s large retired population. Through taxes, this segment of the population pays a lion’s share of the school funding for the state. When economic activity in this sector slows, so does school funding. Last year’s cuts to education were severe, affecting schools at all levels. Education, in fact, took a disproportionate share of state budget cuts.

A recent article in Ocala. com stated that “education programs took the biggest hit, with the kindergarten-to-high-school system losing $263 million; community colleges losing $21 million and universities losing $49 million” (Dunkelberger and Scott, 2008) . The intention of Florida’s legislature is clear. They will attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the educational and health care systems. In the 2008 session, Florida representatives voted to cut education before the legislature was even graveled into session. According to many, there is no choice but to cut education. Education is the key to future success.

The children of Florida deserve to have an educational system that has their best interests at heart. “Yet schools, the public institutions devoted to creating and sustaining our identity are underfunded, underutilized and over burdened” (Kralovec, 2003). The future of . Florida depends upon the strength of its educational system. Given that reality, the debate continues as to how best to provide a quality system that prepares students for the century ahead. in the current economic crisis. To Cut of Not to Cut Can Florida afford not to cut education during the current budget crisis? The question is more complex than it seems.

Cutting education now could potentially lead to increases in other long-term costs. Not cutting education could make it impossible for the state to achieve a balanced budget. How much should be cut? From what programs? The answers to each of these questions affects an assortment of different stakeholders in sometimes unpredictable ways. The arguments over whether or not to cut often take simplified forms that fail to take these effects into full account. One side of this argument claims that the cuts to education planned by the Florida legislature will devastate an already cash-strapped public schools system.

Another side posits that the cuts will make little difference. This debate within Florida is part of a larger philosophical discussion. Studies have been done on the issue nationwide, including the landmark Colman Report of 1966. That study drew the conclusion that forces other than money were more important in the long-term success of public school systems. Since then “Economists have spent the last forty years debating whether money makes a difference in schools” (Kralovec, 2003). A clear consensus has yet to be built. At the local level most school funding is provided by personal property taxation.

Some critics have called for a decreased reliance on this form of revenue. That revenue could be replaced at the state level by increased “sin” taxes, road tolls, state permit fees and the possible installation of a state income tax. This not only would spread the tax burden more evenly throughout the state; it also could help to ensure equity in funding to all public school systems in the state. This policy would also recognize the growing resistance in the state to property tax increases, especially with the rapidly falling property values.

Anti-spending forces have used such reports to extrapolate that increased spending is usually ineffective in fostering student growth. Others warn that this is a distortion of the research findings. An eminent Harvard economist said that: In my view it is simply indefensible to use the results of quantitative studies on the relationship between school resources and student environment as a basis for concluding that additional funds cannot help public school districts. (Kralovec, 2003) The issue is more complex than whether money helps or doesn’t help. Clearly, money helps if it is spent correctly.

It does not help if most of the money is directed away from classroom instruction. The United States leads the world in spending on education. At the same time, it lags behind many industrialized countries in terms of student performance. Taking away the money is not the answer, nor is spending it foolishly. There may be no better time than now for legislators, lobbyists and stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to students and reform the budgetary process for the public schools. The appropriation of school funding in Florida could use some improvement.

The majority of spending does not go directly to classroom instruction. Florida is not unusual in that regard. Nationwide, approximately 60% of school funding is spent directly on classroom instruction. The remaining 40% is spent on ancillary staff, construction and maintenance. Citizens have been generous in passing numerous school bond referenda. The results are often disappointing however. When tax payers push “Yes” in the ballot box, they assume that their vote is providing books, paying for good teachers and supplying other critical elements for the students to succeed.

“All too often, here is what happens: additional resources go toward bureaucracy, new programs, across the board salary increases, and amenities that have little to do with academic basics” (Bennett, Finn and Cribb, 1999). This is why education budget cutters and pro-privatization forces have gained a foothold in recent years. Education budget cutters come from a variety of perspectives. Some are simply fiscally driven. Others come from an ideological bent. Voting on the cuts typically falls along party lines. Democrats oppose the cuts.

Republicans see them as absolutely necessary. Proponents of the cuts argue that even with the cuts, education will receive more than it did the prior year. This is simply “decreasing the increase”. In this they have a strong argument. Under the State of Florida Constitution, budget deficits and deficit spending are not allowed. There are a limited number of areas in which cuts can be made. Localities may be able to make up for state education cuts by raising property or sales taxes. The State of Florida simply cannot afford to dig any deeper a hole.

Opponents of maintaining the current level of spending would have us believe that education spending is responsible for the current state of the budget. The reality is much different though. The amount Florida spends on education is often overstated. In comparison to other states, Florida is already miserly when it comes to spending on schools. According to Dunkelberger and Scott: The planned cuts will almost certainly erode Florida’s national ranking in per-student spending. The state now ranks 38th, but in recent years has been 45th. Education Week magazine recently gave Florida an “F” for spending on

education – and that was before the current budget crisis. (2008) Another argument of opponents is that spending in no way guarantees good schools. An often cites example is the District of Columbia Public Schools. That system is routinely near the top in per pupil spending. Substantial improvements in education quality and student performance have been elusive however. In 2008 about $357 million was cut from education. The entire package of budget cuts amounted to about $548 million. This year budget cuts are expected to exceed $2 billion (Dunkelberger and Scott, 2008).

Determining the effect of these cuts is a long-term process to be played out over the decades ahead. It is expected that schools will be forced to cut music and arts activities, along with extracurricular programs and programs benefitting at-risk students. A lack of a well rounded education leads to a lack of opportunities. This creates problems the costs of which will dwarf anything spent on education. Welfare and unemployment rolls are likely to increase as education deficits become more endemic. Social services and welfare are likely to be stretched to the limit.

The criminal justice system will also pay a heavy price for having an under-educated populace. Ideologically-based opponents of additional school spending may use the budget crisis as an opportunity to thrust forward their views. These opponents also cover a range of perspectives, from those who are against state involvement in education all together, to those promoting a school choice agenda. Dwindling resources will only increase the level of competition to attain them or control how they are spent. Advocates of local control often do not like the strings that come along with state funding.

For that reason some are in favor of even larger cuts than are being proposed. Meanwhile, an anti-tax faction is gaining strength. Passing any additional taxes in this environment is likely to be a significant challenge, even if the funds are tagged for education. Proponents of school choice are likely to claim that if the current education tax revenue were given back to the people the schools would naturally improve. “Competition” is their mantra. Give people vouchers to choose their own schools and there would be no need for a state tax increase or an increase in state funding for schools.

Unfortunately, competition, in this context, naturally leads to inequity. Primary funding for schools is done locally. Wealthy counties are able to fund their school systems at a much higher level than poorer, rural counties. Therefore, it is no surprise that retention, graduation and college acceptance rates are almost always better in the rural counties. Of course there are other factors to consider, but it cannot be argued that better funded school systems produce better schools. In a purely competitive voucher scheme, poorer students will eventually be priced out of better schools.

Under the current system it is the role of state government to even the playing field as much as possible. An even educational playing field will benefit everyone in Florida in the long run. Over-focus on dire budget predictions risks losing perspective of the bigger picture. The biggest single factor in the future economic heath, or lack of it, in Florida is the school children of today. The government has made a commitment to these children. Keeping that commitment sacred is the right thing to do. The mission of the State Board of Education of Florida:

is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system by providing them with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents and communities,,, (Florida Board of Education, 2008) Making large cuts in the state budget for education is a no-win proposition. The state risks creating situations like that in California where over 9,000 Los Angeles teachers and school staff were laid off. Controlling school spending is necessary for both the performance of the schools and for the state budget.

Making the cuts first and forcing the schools to adapt later will inevitably hurt the students. Secondary effects will ripple through the community of stakeholders eventually affecting the state as a whole. Analysis The budget crisis is a difficult one for Florida legislators. It is almost mandatory that some expenditures will have to be cut for the state to stay solvent. At the same time, each Floridian faces similar dilemmas within their own household. State Treasurer Alex Sink said that ‘There are some really tough decisions that need to be made…

The checkbook is not looking any prettier” (Caputo and Klas, 2008). Many Floridians feel as though they would not be personally affected by sharp budget cuts in education and/or health care. They resent any additional taxation because they are unable to see the end product. In localities school bonds are routinely approved by the voters. Even in hard times Floridians are willing to spend for public education in their own home towns. The problem with local-only funding is that severe inequities between school systems can occur, even to the point of becoming unconstitutional.

Unequal funding also risks lawsuits that could devastate cash strapped smaller counties. Equal access to education is good for the students, business community and for the state as a whole. Furthermore, it is simply the right thing to do. It is easy in times such as these to become overly focused on the present day-to-day problems. The effect of present day actions on our future may be underestimated. Failure to take such consideration is not fair to the children of Florida. Beyond that, the most obvious short-term fix for a problem might not always be the best.

In other words, the state might be “shooting itself in the foot” by making drastic school budget cuts at this time The budget problem is daunting and has no easy fixes. Philosophical discussions about the role of the state in educating are children are good. Acting in a panicked way to fix the budget is not. While some school systems may have enough money and are actually wasting state money, others are hanging by a thread. They are dependent on state money to even keep their doors open. Considerations such as these must be accounted for before making decisions that could drastically affect the lives of Florida’s children.

The nations of the world are more linked than ever. Florida’s future adults will live in a competitive global marketplace. Today’s budget crisis offers the opportunity to adopt international standards of education. Students will then be better prepared for college and future careers. This is the ultimate payoff for the investment of Florida taxpayers today. Recommendations Any potential policy change must take into account the varied stakeholders in the public school system. Each category of stakeholders is affected by policy change in unique ways.

The effects of a large decrease in funding at this time would have a ripple effect first through the stakeholders, then through the rest of society. The stakeholders are those most closely involved and affected by policies regarding public schools. They include: students, parents, teachers, administration and staff and the community. Any budgetary reform process should seek greater involvement of these groups. A series of stakeholder focus groups held in 2002 identified several areas of concern for the coming years. Some areas particularly vulnerable to budget cutting were programs for “at risk” students.

For example, the panel concluded that:“Non-college bound students need more options… stakeholders expressed an interest in more viable alternatives for these students, including rigorous workforce programs in 11th and 12th grade” (Florida Board of Education, 2002). Immediate budget cuts are also likely to affect students who need additional help from teacher’s aides and tutors. After school programs are also likely to be cut. Many parents who cant be home in the afternoon are reliant on such programs to keep their kids safe, engaged and out of trouble. In terms of the latter, the entire community benefits from the programs.

Teacher and staff layoffs would create a greater strain on unemployment, welfare and other social services. Pay freezes will make it all the more difficult to attract talented and dedicated teachers, especially in math and science. Immediate cuts give no time for cost saving measures to be effectively developed and implemented. Yet the budget shortfall remains. Fortunately, there are measures that could be taken that would both minimize the strain to Florida taxpayers and allow the Florida Department of Education to fulfill its mission for the students. A small state income tax could make a significant difference in school funding.

A firm commitment that the tax would only be used for schools would help garner the support needed for such a measure to pass. The tax could also be limited to a specific number of years, at which time it could only be reinstated by public referendum. The State of Florida has not been allowed to tax income since a prohibition was written into the Constitution in 1924. Over the years a number of attempts have been made to pass such a tax. All have failed, despite the fact that a state income tax could potentially reduce the overall tax burden for the majority of Floridians.

The dual crises Florida faces in its educational system and in its budget are cause for reconsideration however. An income tax would be the fairest way to raise the necessary funds to increase the performance of Florida’s schools. Additionally, it would relieve the state from having to take on as much debt just to pay for basic services. By not taxing income, Florida’s education budget is already behind the 8-ball. Almost all other states fund education and other state expenditures by a three-pronged combination of sales tax, property tax and income tax. Without one prong the other two prongs must make up the slack.

This gives Florida legislators less flexibility in writing the state budget. Excessive property and sales taxes are burdensome to middle class and lower middle class Floridians. The tax campaign would be part of a larger campaign to increase accountability. This accountability applies to state government, localities as well as to all the stakeholders. Involving all of these parties in the process from the earliest possible date affords the greatest possibility for success. The ultimate goal is not to produce a slick marketing campaign to pass a new tax, then return to business as usual.

Instead, this budget crisis can serve as an opportunity to reform public education in Florida and set it on a path for 21st century success. The tax campaign should exist simultaneously with an accountability campaign. Florida voters should have complete access to revenue, budgeting and allocation figures for the state and for the locality in which they live. Voters need proof that school spending is efficient and effective. Implementation of a statewide data system would involve a significant initial expense but would pay dividends in the long run.

Such a system would enable quality based tracking of schools, teachers and programs. Then budget officials are better prepared to make changes as needed. The overall efficiency of the system is improved and money is saved. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to implement such systems effectively in a budget cutting environment. Opponents of an income tax claim that the tax advantages Florida offers is a draw for many businesses and individuals. In this they have a strong argument. For this reason every possible attempt should be made to phase out the tax as the budget crisis passes.

Fortunately, there are ways that this could be achieved. There is no doubt the state school bureaucracy and the individual systems themselves could operate more efficiently. However, the process of efficiency requires time and money in and of itself. There are many suggestions as to how this can be done. A logical course of action would be to attach these reforms to the proposed state income tax. According to recent estimates, an income tax of 3% could raise over $9 billion dollars. This boost to the state coffers would likely make it possible for localities to trim property taxes.

Reduced property taxes could, in turn, stimulate the sagging housing market. Having a diverse array of funding sources is necessary for a government to run efficiently and effectively. Property tax, and especially sales tax revenue are particularly shaky. Revenue can go up dramatically, or down dramatically as it is now. The income tax would modify swings in other tax revenues and provide a more reliable stream of funding for education. There are examples to draw knowledge from. In the early 1990s Connecticut, a no-tax state, was facing severe budget shortfalls. After a 4.

5% income tax was instituted the state quickly balanced its budget and restored funding to education. Effects on personal wealth and business activity were minimal. The state remained one of the wealthiest in the union. Of course, taking these measures during a severe downturn in the economy is easier said than done. There is truth in the proposition that we cannot spend our way to good schools. At the same time there is also truth in the maxim “You get what you pay for”. These are not contradictory propositions. It is true that spending, just for the sake of spending, will not improve schools.

Money has been, and still is, being poured into such things as school construction, wiring schools for the 21st century and various other technologies. Some of this spending is necessary. Some is questionable. This is why measures of performance and school quality have not always increased in sync with increases in funding. Equipping a school with the latest in personal computer hardware is as feel good initiative for the public and a chance for politicians to appear pro-public education. It may or may not translate into tangible results. Better targeted spending, on the other hand, can benefit the educational system.

Teaching and learning are still very human endeavors. Finding better ways to reward both for performance could help reinforce the concept that society values education, and that a good education is a valuable tangible asset. The recommendations provided here are designed to continue the State of Florida’s commitment to excellence in education while also recognizing the budget realities the state faces. While it is not recommended that the year-to-year increase in state funding be cut any further, it is recognized that a reconsideration of school budgetary processes also be taken.

Several cost savings measures, both short and long term, are included among the following policy recommendations. Fig. 1 Policy Recommendations State of Florida Education Budget 2009-10 # Hold spending increase to current yr. -to-yr. Average (no further cuts) # Begin school budget restructuring process # No further program add-ons without elimination of another with similar costs # Renegotiate construction contracts to reflect current economic realities # Phase in additional teacher incentives # Streamline administrative process to statewide efficiency standards

# Begin campaign for a 2010-11 income tax devoted solely classroom instruction issues # Seek support for a shift of extracurricular functions from the schools to the community Typically when new programs are added, they are done so without consideration of the cost and efficacy of old programs. In many cases programs become redundant. At least for the near future, as a cost saving measure, it is proposed that no further new programs be implemented without a corresponding elimination of a redundant and/or similar costing program. Gaining community input before such transitions are made can help smooth the transition.

The costs of extracurricular activities are a particular strain on the budgets of local school systems. These activities are extremely important to the lives of young people and should be maintained wherever possible. It is possible for a fully engaged community to absorb some of these costs away from the school. For example, the local community theater might volunteer to host the high school drama department. Many sports activities could also be maintained and hosted by the community. If asked, many communities would be willing to contribute to the lives of its young people in both ways.

Beginning this process of community uptake now will result in future cost savings and better funding for core academic areas. Moving away from incremental budgeting and toward zero-based budgeting is a cast savings strategy for the long term. In many districts funding for individual programs and services is determined every year by a process of shifting funds back and forth. Besides being inefficient, this process threatens to divert school districts away from the primary functions of the school over time. In zero-based budgeting each community determines first what is most important for the school to accomplish.

Budgeting is then taken from that perspective. Wider community input into this process can lead to better community buy-in to the mission of their school. Zero-based budgeting is designed to concentrate funding in the core areas of importance as determined by the community. Greater awareness of revenue and cost issues will help communities to focus in on one important question – What issues are of the greatest importance to us as a community? Funds are then allocated accordingly. This does not mean that less critical services and programs will be cut.

With the community already involved in the budgeting process there is a natural liaison to other business or agencies who may be able to sponsor those activities. Zero-based budgeting is not intended as an immediate fix. Instead, it is recommended as a process that could help stakeholders have a greater sense of control and to make budgeting more efficient as the century moves on. Conclusion Making these changes will not be easy. It will require a recognition that neither the state budget nor the education status quo can remain. All parties will need to refocus and recommit themselves to the welfare of Florida’s children.

The State Legislature is in the unique position to be able to lead this process. Bold leadership is needed to prevent further education cuts at this time while also challenging all stakeholders to join the process of reform. Florida’s children deserve no less. Before voting to drastically slash education again, each Representative should remind himself that the public school system in Florida exists “to change the culture of our schools, from PreK to post-secondary by raising the ceiling and raising the floor to better enable students for success in the 21st century” (Florida Board of Education, 2008).

Education cuts may appear to be a quick solution for the budget crisis. The future costs will far outweigh any savings now. At this critical time in history, Florida cannot afford to give up on public education. The public education system has served the state, and the nation, well. Fulfilling the potential of all students in Florida will require difficult fiscal decisions, but will pay off tenfold. There are ways to make the schools more efficient. Additional school budget cuts at this time could erode academic progress made in the last decade and work counter to the state’s goal of fiscal responsibility.

Sources

Bennett, William; Finn, Chester E. And Cribb, John T. E. (1999). The Educated Child: A parents guide from preschool through eighth grade. New York: The Free Press. Caputo, Marc and Klas Mary Ellen. (2008). “Florida Legislature sets special budget crisis session. ” Miami Herald. Dec. 16 A01. Dunkelberger, Lloyd and Scott, Anna. (2008). “Education takes brunt of state budget cuts. ” Accessed 3/24/2009 from: http://www. ocala. com/article/20080304/NEWS/803040340/1002/NEWS Florida Board of Education. (2008). “Florida’s Next Generation PreK-20 Education Strategic Plan. ” Accessed 3/24/2009 from: http://www. fldoe. org/

Through a realtor, Barrows purchased for $12,500. Along with the lot they also obtained title insurance coverage from Title & Trust Company of Florida which policy covers: “Any defect in or lien or encumbrance on the title to the estate or title covered hereby… or a lack of aright of access to and from the land.”

The lot was surrounded on three sides by three parcels of land all of which is part of a beach subdivision and the fourth side is bordered by Viejo Street, the right-of-way for which has been dedicated to and accepted by St. Johns County. When appellees began plans for building on their lot the realtor represented to them that the county would build a road in the right-of-way along Viejo Street, However, no street improve­ments in the dedicated right-of-way was done, nor did St. Johns County have plans for making any improvements. The “road” is merely a continuation of a sandy beach. A year after, they had the lot surveyed and discovered that their lot, along with the Viejo Street right-of-way is covered by high tide water during the spring and fall of each year. Barrows filed a complaint based on the lack of right of access founded on the impassable condition of the platted street.

Lower Court’s Decision

The trial court found that the Barrows did not have access to their property and entitled them to recover from Title & Trust Company of Florida $12,500 from appellant—the face amount of the policy.

Issues

 Whether or not title insurance policies insure against defects in physical condition of land covered. The Supreme Court held that there is no dispute that the public record shows that the platted Viejo Street gives a legal right of access to Barrows’ property and the title insurance policy only insured against record title defects and not against physical infirmities of the platted street.

Legal Reasoning

The Supreme Court in deciding the case of Title & Trust Company of Florida v. Barrows reviewed decisions of different state supreme courts on similar cases. It cited the decision of the Supreme Court of North Carolina in Marriott Fi­nancial Services, Inc. v. Capitol Funds, Inc., 288 N.C. 122, 217 S.E.2d 551 (1975) which held that “right of access” means the right to go to and from the public right-of-way without unreasonable restrictions.

Also, the Supreme Court found the case of Hocking v. Title In­surance ir Trust Company, 37 Cal,2d 644, 234 P.2d 625 (1951) to shed  light on the present controversy, in that case the court ruled that the plaintiff failed to state a cause of action in a suit brought under her title policy and said that ‘if the she (plaintiff) has been damaged by false representations in respect to the condition and value of the land her remedy would seem to be against other than the insurers of the title she acquired.’

The court also found as controlling, the decision of its sister court of the Second District in McDaniel v. Lawyers’ Title Guaranty Fund, 327 So.2d 852 (Fla. 2 D.C.A.1976) which held that. “The man on the street buys a title insurance policy to insure against defects in the record title. The title in­surance company is in the business of guaranteeing the insured’s title to the extent it is affected by the public records.”

In 1990 the Congress nominated the 9515 km? Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary ( FKNMS ) as a portion of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ‘s ( NOAA ) National Marine Sanctuary Program. The chief end for this appellation was to protect the coral reefs, seagrasses, Rhizophora mangles, and other marine resources of the Florida Keys. NOAA was ordered by the Legislation to develop a temporal and spacial districting scheme as a portion of the Sanctuary Management Plan to guarantee resource protection. NOAA coordinated the Draft Management Plan that was focused on be aftering attempts on action programs. The Zoning Action Plan proposed five distinguishable types of zones: Refilling Militias, Sanctuary Preservation Areas ( SPAs ), Wildlife Management Areas, Special-use Areas, and Existing Management Areas. The Replenishment Reserves ( Key Largo, Sambos, and Dry Tortugas ) and the SPAs were to be no-take countries, with consumptive utilizations restricted. The SPAs have the end to “ avoid concentrations of utilizations that could ensue in important diminutions in species populations or home ground or to cut down struggles between utilizations ”.

Special-Use Areas were besides proposed and were designated for research merely. The Wildlife Management Areas were designated to restrain human entree to birds nesting and feeding countries, every bit good as polo-neck nesting sites. In 1996 the concluding Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Final Management Plan was released, with some changes from the old Draft Plan. The change in the Zoning Action Plan included merely one little no return modesty ( Western Sambos ) of the three that it originally had proposed, and the postponed of the constitution of the big Dry Tortugas Replenishment Reserve. The name Replenishment Reserve was changed to Ecological Reserve to reflect public concerns over the intent of these countries ”. In 2001 the Tortugas Ecological Reserve was implemented ( Figure 1 ).

When the NOAA ‘s bill of exchange direction program was developed, Suman et Al ( 1999 ) and Shivlani & A; Suman ( 2000 ) did a survey to frogman’s perceptual experiences and attitudes of the direction schemes and ordinances of this program.

The Tourism in the Florida Keys

In 1995-96, the tourer trip sum exceeded 3 million and an estimated 31.3 % of the visitants participated in diving or snorkel diving activities. Many of the 80,000 lasting occupants participated in the same activities as the tourers did. Particular activities, such as the mini-season spiny lobster attract over 30,000 frogmen within an individual hebdomad to the Keys. The Florida Keys continue to develop its urbanization due to the demand of people that live, but largely, to the tourers that visit the islands. The roads ( US 1 ) and the Bridges associating the islands permitted the influx of people to the islands to about 80,000 lasting people in add-on to 2,5 million visitants and seasonal tourers. Tourism – with 76.8 million visitants in 2004 ( a record figure ), Florida is the top travel finish in the universe.

Historic Economic Impact

Entire Tourism Spending ( Tourism/Recreation Taxable Gross saless ) 1999-2004:

• 1999 – $ 44.6 billion
• 2000 – $ 48.5 billion
• 2001 – $ 48.6 billion
• 2002 – $ 49.5 billion
• 2003 – $ 51.5 billion
• 2004 – $ 57.1 billion
• 2005 – $ 62.0 billion

Entire State Gross saless Tax Grosss from Tourism 1999-2004:

• 1999 – $ 2.7 billion
• 2000 – $ 2.9 billion
• 2001 – $ 2.9 billion
• 2002 – $ 3.0 billion
• 2003 – $ 3.0 billion
• 2004 – $ 3.4 billion
• 2005 – $ 3.7 billion

Number of Persons Directly Employed by Tourism Industry 1999-2004:

• 1999 – 826,200
• 2000 – 842,900
• 2001 – 864,500
• 2002 – 862,900
• 2003 – 874,700
• 2004 – 920,700
• 2005 – 948,700

2.5 million tourers yearly

• – 13.3 million visitor-days yearly
• – spend the US $ 1.2 billion yearly ;
• – coastal and Marine Waterss support 28.3 million occupations; and
• – United States coastal countries are the finish for 180 million yearly.

Those 2,5 million visitants cause a large impact in the Keys as it needs

Goodall and Stabler affirm that touristry induced bounds of acceptable alteration to local environmental conditions can be understood at different degrees. Fort Collins, there are different readings of sustainable touristry that make even harder to find local environmental transporting capacity bounds for touristry activity. Stakeholders’ values impact in a different manner, so when a program or an extenuation is being done to seek to minimize the impacts that tourists activities may hold and go to sustainable development, all the local users have to take part in it. It is besides deserving to look for the tourer ‘s position because they will be the 1s that will be coming back, divulgating the topographic point and bring forth capital to it.

When we talk about touristry activities ‘ impacts, most of the surveys discuss their impact in the environment, such as: when frogmen are treading in coral reefs, touching the animate beings, interrupting corals ( killing a settlement), suspending deposits ( smothering corals and filters animate beings ) or slapping corals with fives during scuba diving or snorkel diving; when people paddle into the reefs while kayaking ( interrupting the corals and touching animate beings ); when people feed fish during boating activities (disequilibrium in nutrient irons in the ecosystem ); when the boat anchor on reefs ( aching or killing corals ), and throw oil and wastewaters ( besides solid rubbish ) ( pollution and lessening in H2O quality ) into the H2O; and cruise ships environmental impacts such as resuspension of deposits, turbidness, wastewaters, among others among many others environmental impacts.

Figure 11:

• ( a ) Diver treading on coral reefs ;
• ( B ) A five hitting a coral reef ; ( degree Celsius ) Diver feeding the fish ; ( degree Celsius ) Anchoring on coral reefs.

The nature-based touristry in the Keys is wholly dependent on the coral reef ‘s quality, as the touristry industry attracts 1000s of recreational leghorns, frogmen, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boat users to the part. Consequently, the Marine militias established there are expected to better the reef environment, peculiarly coral and fish copiousness and diverseness ( Bhat, op. cit ). In South Florida, tourists spend more $ 1.2 billion, which has a potency of bring forthing $ 2.94 billion in the entire end product and $ 1.69 billion in income throughout the regional economic system ( Bhat, op cit ). As a consequence of increasing demands for entree to the coral reef for recreational and commercial utilizations, this Marine ecosystem has shown marks of unsustainability in the last old ages ( Bhat, op cit ). If Restoration attempts are non shortly done to diminish the existent rate of debasement, the Florida coral reef is expected to vanish in less than 10-25 old ages.

This unsustainability is acquiring every clip more seeable and tourers are detecting the environmental debasements and effects causes for quality of life. Subsequently, the touristry rankings ushers began to worsen, mentioning stretches of commercial ocular pollution along stretches of US 1. In the face of the dependence of the local economic system on touristry, some local occupants are already oppugning the perceptual experience of promoting touristry growing. Besides that, the Florida Keys still leads the State in cost of life indices, particularly lodging indices, being Key West the 4th most expensive land and lodging market in the U.S.  This leads to hard adversity for service sector employees, and to a commercial shifting endeavor from locally-owned stores and eating houses to national irons. Park et Al put out that scientists and ecologists should stress the importance to set up nonmarket values of coral reefs which can be used as inputs in measuring the overall cost-effectivity of coral reef direction and extenuation plans. The debasement of such environment and the menaces to the H2O quality in the Keys has been a menace to the economic system of the topographic point.

All Keys ‘ stakeholders (commercial and recreational users of resources, conservationists, scientists, resource directors, occupants, and visitants) agree that the diminution in H2O quality is endangering of import resources. Causey ( 2002 ) believes that the grounds of that diminution could be: the deficiency of fresh H2O combining the Florida Bay; foods from domestic effluent via shallow-well; stormwater overflow incorporating heavy metals, fertilizers, insect powders, and other contaminations; pollution from marinas and live-aboard vass; hapless flushing of canals and embayments; an accretion of dead seagrasses and algae along the shoreline; deposit; and environmental alterations associated with planetary clime alteration and lifting sea-level. Bing the most obvious causes of decline non-point-source discharges and habitat debasement, the development and overexploitation, and alterations in reef fish populations because of over-fishing.

The touristry activities call for a direction due to the impacts caused by it, with schemes that consider disproportional usage to efficaciously protect the part ‘s environmental resources, sing limited-entry system for honkytonk operators, and other users. The direction every bit good should hold the engagement of all stakeholders. There are a batch of struggles between stakeholders, as the Plan for the FKMNS create zones, which in some of them piscaries are non allowed but plunging and snorkeling are, when those last two can besides be impacting to the environment if the frogmen are noncognizant of saving of the coral reefs, if their boats slop oil and throw rubbish into the ocean. It is a conflicting state of affairs, as there are zones merely for scuba diving and snorkeling with berthing buoys ( forestalling grounding on the reefs ), but those zones do non hold a bound figure of frogmen that could be in it neither an environmental instruction with frogmen to do them cognizant of the impacts they may do ( touching the corals, interrupting it, resuspending deposits, etc ) and enforcement to see if the Scuba Diving Operators and Boating activities are esteeming it. In relation to those zones, the major struggles are among fishers and scuba dive operation, as fishers felt extremely alienated from the procedure of zone appellation and displayed a sense of impotence with regard to what they considered to be an effort to except their group from the crop refugia. The piscaries in the Keys are divided into commercial, recreational, and charter fishing. Most of the commercial piscaries ‘catch is harvest outside the boundaries of the FKNMS.

Goal

The chief end of this paper is to compare frogman ‘ perceptual experiences of direction schemes and ordinances in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary presents with their perceptual experiences when the FKNMS was implemented (comparing the consequences obtained here with the consequences obtained by Suman & A ; Shivlani that had interviewed the Diving Operations when the Sanctuary was foremost implemented ). And besides, through the interviews, detect how the FKNMS does socioeconomic impact the diving industry in the Florida Keys.

Methodology

A graded random sample of the Dive and Snorkel Operators was selected from a list of all known operators/owners in the Florida Keys. After that, a missive was sent to each Dive and Snorkel Operator selected in the sample, informing them about the research that would be realized, and the types of information that would be collected. The missive explained that a research worker would be acquiring in contact with them to set up a clip and topographic point for an interview. The interview was based on a study that would inquire about societal economic inquiries and besides, information about their cognition, attitudes, and perceptual experiences of direction schemes and ordinances in the FKNMS ( The study ‘s inquiries analyzed on this paper are attached in Appendix 1 ). From all the Dive and Snorkel Operators interviewed until now, there are 60 Operators interviewed, being 32 Operators from the Upper Keys, 9 from the Middle Keys, and 19 from the Lower Keys. The end of the survey is to make 70 studies. The present paper will analyze the honkytonk operators ‘ cognition, attitudes, and perceptual experiences of direction schemes and ordinances in the FKNMS and its impacts on their economic system. All the inquiries analyzed in this paper about the FKNMS. Management has five types of reply:

1.  -Strongly agree;
2.  – Reasonably agree ;
3.  – Neutral ;
4. – Reasonably disagree,
5. – Strongly disagree.

And all the societal inquiries about the frogman’s profile have options to do the study easier and faster, and besides to ease the information analyzes. The information obtained through the interviews ( studies ) was statistically analyzed through the Excell and the StatMost plan.

Consequences

Economic Information

Analyzing the information obtained, it was possible to observe that

Table 1: Divers ‘ Operators Economic Information

FKNMS Management Information

All inquiries have options of replies and most of them have the option 1-5, discussed above. However, the analyzes were done based on the amount of the inquiries which mean an understanding ( reply 1 plus answer 2 ) or dissension ( reply 4 plus 5 ) with the inquiry. As good were analyzed replies in which the fishermen were impersonal to the inquiry ( answer 3 ) and besides replies which the fishermen would state. I do non cognize ” for the inquiries made.

Discussion and Decision

Comparing the consequences obtained in this survey with the survey developed by Milon et Al ( 1197 ), it was possible to observe that even 10 old ages after the execution of the Sanctuary, the fishers still feel the same manner they did ten old ages ago. It is notably the struggles between commercial fishers with recreational fishers and leghorns. And besides, the struggles between recreational and commercial frogmen with the commercial fishers. The SPAs ( Sanctuary Preservation Areas ) that had as chief end the decrease of user struggles have failed to accomplish that. Actually, the struggle seems to hold even increased, as the commercial fishers feel that the regulations and ordinances for the Sanctuary developed by NOAA, were unjust to them.

With the present size that the zones have, even though the chief end is of the Sanctuary may non be increasing the stocks, how worth is it to maintain them with that size, if it will not be efficient to refill the stocks and has lead to so much users struggles? I am non proposing that those countries should be re-open or neither stating that they should be increased ( to be able to back up the refilling of some species ) because this would increase even more the user’s struggles. However, I do believe that if they are to protect and conserve the reefs and its habitant species, nil besides research should be allowed in at that place. If fishers can non travel in it, frogmen should non be allowed. Besides, if there are zones that merely the frogmen can travel, there should be zones that merely fishermen could travel. That manner could be scientific compared to which countries would be more wedged and every bit good, those could be sacrificed ” countries. NOAA could besides make rotary motion through the zones through the old ages, still, go forthing some closed zones for everyone.

When NOAA developed the regulations and ordinances for the Sanctuary they were unjust to the fishers because they closed the countries for their usage, but left it unfastened to the frogmen. If the SCUBA diving activity does non work with environmental instruction, intending non merely verbal instruction, but besides practical instruction ( teachers and dive Masters plunging with the frogmen, commanding their floatability and learning them to nonstop on the corals ( treading ) or touching anything ) the activity can be really wedged to the environment, chiefly in countries sensitive such as coral reefs. In the Sanctuary, this practical environmental instruction does non go on and the frogmen can make whatever they want under wateraˆ¦ This is an issue that NOAA shall develop in the Sanctuary. The touristry industry has besides been a job to the fishers, due to the addition of the monetary values in the Keys. It is much more expensive to populate in Keys today than it used to be ten old ages ago. When I talked to some fishers that left the piscaries in the Keys, most of them seemed to hold left it because of the extreme cost of living in the Keys combined with their economic loss in the piscaries ( with the last hurricanes a batch of them lost a batch of traps a could non return to the piscaries or had to get down fishing for a person else ).

Some of the fishers would besides correlate the touristry growing with the lessening in H2O quality. Even though most of them feel that the Sanctuary was non the most responsible for the existent conditions of the resources; they would besides notice that NOAA should be more concerned and turn to the issue of H2O quality. The other issue, besides addressed by the commercial fishermen is the deficiency of enforcement to the recreational fishers and leghorns. Most of those users, harmonizing with the fishers, transgress the regulations most of the clip and stop up nonbeing caught by the governments. Harmonizing to the interviewed fishers, a batch of them truly do non cognize about the regulations and ordinances, and some of them merely pretend that they do non cognize. In both instances, when it happens that they are caught, they are most of clip non penalized as the authorization believes that they did cognize about the regulations and ordinances. This being truth or non, once more, NOAA has the duty to turn to that issue, informing the recreational users about the Torahs, for illustration, giving them explicative booklets about the zones, and so, if they are in the countries where they should non be or if they are transgressing any piscary ordinance, they should be punished.

The commercial fishers besides feel that there is a deficiency of information about the regulations and ordinances for themselves every bit good. They said that it is invariably altering and if they are uninformed and they do something incorrectly, they are punished anyhow. In that instance, NOAA could direct enlightening news sheets updating them about the piscaries regulations and ordinances and this newssheet should be written in English and Spanish, as a high per centum of the Hipic fishermen do non talk in English. With all these regulations and ordinances that have been input through those old ages, I believe that has been a loss in the societal cultural individuality of the fishermen. The civilization of the Keys Fishermen, the individuality of being a Fisherman is acquiring lost. Now there are all those divisions ( because of certifications ) which they have to option what sort of fishermen will they be. They need to make up one’s mind whether they want to catch grouper and center or lobsters or rock pediculosis pubis or pelagic and so one. This may non look to be a job for some directors but merely a consequence of piscaries’ direction. In my sentiment, it is an of import issue because somehow they are fring their individualities as fishermen, but it is a job that it is really difficult to turn to if attempts should every clip more be decreased.

As a decision of the present research developed, it was noted that most of the commercial lobster fishers interviewed seemed to be excluded from the determinations ( in any procedure of the Sanctuary ) and experience powerless against the system. That is a large issue as in the dimension that the Keys are right now it is difficult to propose a direction based more on the local community or a co-management based. However, in some manner, the fishermen need to be more participative in the procedure to develop regulations and ordinances. My chief suggestion still would be the closing of the bing zones for everyone and the resettlement of some to specific diving activities, others for commercial piscary, and others for recreational piscaries.

During the summer and winter, many families like to go on vacations to tropical locations in order to take in the beautiful and amazing sights that they might not be able to experience at home. Two popular places to visit are Florida and Hawaii. While many believe that one beach community is as good as any other, there are many differences between Hawaii and Florida that make them suited for different people, depending on what kind of vacation they want to experience. In particular there are differences in the cultures, weather, and attractions of these two beach communities.

Although both Florida and Hawaii are tropical locations, their cultures are far from similar. Florida has a very “typical” American feel to it. It is rich in busy streets, screaming kids, rude and unfriendly people, and fat-filled restaurants with a cheeseburger always on the menu somewhere. Besides everyone being in a bikini everywhere on a hot, summer day, the people in Florida are really no different than you and I. It may seem like everyone goes to Florida for a vacation to get away from their everyday lives, but they really are going to the same problems in a different location.

In Hawaii, however, you become a part of a brand new experience that you have probably never experienced before. Beaches there are not lined from end to end with restaurants and rental shops; instead, they are lined with palm trees and all of their untouched, natural wonders that have been there since the islands formed. In Hawaii, you get away from the “real” world and get a chance to experience the rich island culture that you might never have known about. The hustle and bustle of the inner city life and the monotonous nine to five job of the suburban life are not seen in Hawaii.

It is very relaxed, and every day seems like it is a new adventure waiting for you to discover it. The food in Hawaii is also a departure from something that you could get any other day. There are numerous island foods that you would never find anywhere else, like poi, a bread that is made out of purple potatoes, or Hawaiian shave ice, where they combine beans with a variety of flavors of ice cream. Also, pineapple is a very popular addition to just about anything you could imagine, and the food is usually made to be “volcano” hot.

As far as an escape goes, Hawaii is the perfect place to go to experience an amazing new culture. Even if you cannot tell the difference between the cultures of Hawaii and Florida, the weather easily sets the two apart. As far as tropical locations go, many people expect the weather to be warm and sunny, looking for a perfect day to go to the beach and relax next to the ocean. In Florida, though the heat and humidity is almost unbearable. It makes you want to immediately jump into the ocean to try a cool off under the hot sun.

Unfortunately, with the sun beating down on the ocean and the humidity in the air trapping all of the heat, the ocean also heats up very quickly and it becomes more like a hot tub, which is not the most relaxing of choice in the middle of a warm, summer day. With all of the humidity in Florida, it is also very common for a sudden downpour to erupt and leave you soaking wet like you have been in the ocean all day. Despite these flaws in the perfect, tropical weather you expect, when you do get a nice day in Florida, it makes you wish the day would never end and that you would never have to leave.

Hawaii’s weather makes the best days in Florida seem like a hot, humid day in Missouri in the middle of August. It barely rains in Hawaii, always leaving you with a nice day to go to the beach or go on a nature hike. Even though it may reach up to 90 degrees, there is very little humidity, so even the hottest of days feels like a comfortable, cool, breezy afternoon. Also, when you want to jump into the ocean and cool off, it is nice and refreshing. Hawaii truly displays the typical weather you would expect out of a tropical island and leads to a relaxing getaway for anyone who wishes to enjoy it.

One of the biggest differences between Florida and Hawaii are the attractions they have to offer and what you can do with your time in either place. As you may expect, the major attraction of both Florida and Hawaii are the numerous beaches that populate the two states. Beyond the beaches, however, both Florida and Hawaii offer unique attractions that will amuse people of all ages. In Florida, one of the major attractions is Disney World, a resort designed to let your inner child loose and experience the world of cartoons that you watched as a kid.

While many people see Disney World as an amusement park for kids, the park can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There are many other amusement parks in Florida that are “hot spots” for vacations, such as Sea World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens. Another big travel spot in Florida is the Florida Everglades and Everglades National Park. The Everglades is a massive wetland ecosystem in the southern portion of Florida that offers many people a chance to explore a place they couldn’t find anywhere else in the world.

While Florida may have amusement parks and some natural exhibits to visit, though, it cannot compare with the beauty of Hawaii. Hawaii may not have amusement parks, but it makes up for it with all of its amazing, natural attractions. The beaches are beautiful, with crystal clear water that allows you to watch a lot of undersea life without ever putting on a scuba suit. Some of the nature walks that you can go on in Hawaii are simply breathtaking because of all the beautiful scenery that you pass along the way.

You can ride horses on the beach, take a submarine ride through the ocean, and, if you are brave enough, even go to the top of a volcano and experience all of the beautiful landscape that actually grows around it. Furthermore, major attraction in Hawaii is the Pearl Harbor naval base and memorial. People from all over the world, even from Japan come to the memorial to see what is left behind from a great American tragedy. You can still see the oil left in the ocean in some spots, and you can walk over a glass bridge that allows you to look down and see a sunken battleship.

No matter what you choose to do, you are guaranteed to find something in Hawaii that you could not find anywhere else in the world. Whether it is the food that you eat or the weather you experience, there is a lot that separates Florida and Hawaii. Both places offer a unique experience that you normally would not have in your everyday life. However, you can visit Florida and go to an amusement park with your family and friends; I would recommend seeing Hawaii and experience a culture you may have never seen before.