In his opening remarks Tuesday, House Speaker Dean Cannon made the case for higher ed reform.
"If we are going to have a successful higher education system, we need to stop playing musical chairs with the governance structure and focus on implementing a modern, coordinated system for the State of Florida," said Cannon, a Winter Park Republican.
Speaking to reporters later in the day, Cannon said he would like to see lawmakers take on "strategic, big-picture issues" in higher education -- but said he did not have any specific reforms in mind.
He also didn't have a clear timetable.
"My goal... is to start the conversation," Cannon said. "It may or may not see legislation this year."
Cannon then added: "It is not likely that major reforms will happen this year, but I'm not closing the door to less-than-major reforms."
On those less-than-major reforms, Cannon said he would defer to Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, who chairs the House Education Committee.
"We spend a lot of dollars on higher education," Cannon said. "They should be spent as wisely as possible."
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