Florida Debate Initiative Celebrates $2.4 Million State Investment in Speech, Debate and Civic Education Funding championed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur will expand opportunities

HEATHROW, Fla. — The Florida Debate Initiative (FDI) today joined Florida Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur and leaders from Seminole State College to celebrate a transformative state investment in education, workforce development and Florida’s next generation of leaders.

Florida’s 2026–2027 state budget includes $2.4 million for the Florida Debate Initiative, funding that will expand access to speech and debate instruction, civic literacy education, and competitive debate opportunities for students statewide.

FDI extends its sincere gratitude to Senator Jason Brodeur for his leadership in championing this investment and for his continued belief in the power of education to create opportunity, strengthen communities and prepare young Floridians to lead.

“Florida is not simply investing in a program. We are investing in the promise and potential of young people across this state,” said Abraham López, President of the Florida Debate Initiative. “Every time a student learns to find their voice, defend an idea with courage, listen with respect and engage with someone who sees the world differently, we are preparing that student not just for a competition, but for life and for leadership. We are deeply grateful to Senator Brodeur for believing in that mission and for recognizing that opportunity should not depend on a student’s ZIP code, background or circumstance. This investment will help us open more doors, reach more students and stand behind the educators who make those life-changing moments possible.”

The state investment will allow FDI to continue building a statewide infrastructure for speech, debate and civic learning that reaches students across all 67 Florida school districts, with a particular focus on expanding opportunities for ESOL students, rural communities, high-need populations and justice-involved youth.

Funding will support debate camps, leadership and civic immersion experiences, teacher and coach training, competitive opportunities and rehabilitative debate programming for young people in Florida Department of Juvenile Justice facilities.

For FDI, investing in students also means investing in the educators standing beside them.

During the 2025–2026 school year, FDI distributed $327,000 in stipends to speech and debate coaches throughout Florida, recognizing the significant additional time and commitment educators contribute to building competitive programs and creating opportunities for their students. Of that statewide investment, $79,750 was associated with schools and teams participating in FDI’s Central Florida region.

A Florida debate coach joined Friday’s event to accept a ceremonial check representing the full $323,000 statewide investment in educators.

“Behind every student who finds their voice is an educator who first believed that voice was worth hearing,” López said. “Our teachers and coaches give so much more than the hours anyone sees. They challenge students to think bigger, speak with courage, listen with respect and believe in what they are capable of becoming. If we want speech and debate to reach more young people across Florida, we must invest in the educators who make those opportunities possible. These stipends are more than a recognition of their time. They are a statement that Florida sees their work, values their commitment and understands the extraordinary role they play in shaping the next generation of leaders.”

Friday’s event also highlighted major investments secured by Senator Brodeur for Seminole State College, including $600,000 for the AMplify @ SSC advanced manufacturing initiative and $10 million toward construction of a new workforce education facility.

Together, the investments represent a commitment to preparing Floridians for what comes next, whether that means entering a high-demand career, stepping into a classroom, competing behind a debate podium or becoming an engaged citizen in their community.

FDI believes speech and debate can be one of Florida’s most powerful tools for preparing young people not simply to succeed academically, but to participate meaningfully in our democracy, communicate across differences and lead with confidence.

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About Florida Debate Initiative (FDI)

The Florida Debate Initiative promotes competitive speech and debate across Florida’s middle and high schools, empowering emerging student leaders with essential communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. Through its partnership with the Florida Department of Education’s Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI), FDI aims to make speech and debate accessible to students from all backgrounds across the state. To learn more about the Florida Debate Initiative, go to www.FloridaDebate.org or follow us on social media @FloridaDebate.