Public school funding in Florida differs from other states in a number of important ways. First, Florida has a highly equalized resource-distribution formula resulting in a high degree of interdistrict equity. Second, concerns for quality, while constant, have had to compete with the state's phenomenal growth. Third, the state exercises a much greater degree of control over the level of total funding (state and local) than many other states, which means that public school financing is highly vulnerable to shifts in the financing of other state programs. This paper describes the current condition of education funding for public schools in Florida, reviews the pressures facing educational finance in the state, and analyzes the fiscal, political, and judicial issues they raise. The state funding formula does not address educational need or adequacy. Inadequacy is due to the structurally inadequate tax base, new political and constitutional barriers to tax base expansion, and the fierce sectoral rivalry for state revenues. Since the late 1980s efforts to find other funding sources have met with mixed or limited success. These efforts included a lottery, a local sales tax, and a referendum to guarantee a fixed percentage of the budget for public education. Other issues include equity, capital construction, efficiency, and educational reform. (Contains seven references.) (LMI)