Capitol Watch Week 5 by Preston T. Robertson and Jay Liles
Week of February 6, 2012
We are now past the halfway point of the 60 day 2012 Legislative Session. Please note the following items of interest and please take action if you so desire:
Florida Forever Funding: Even with an outpouring of support from Floridians for Florida Forever, the House of Representatives and Senate have, to date, zeroed out any money for this critical program. Governor Rick Scott has proposed $15 million in his budget and this position needs to be supported.
Please contact the following members of the Legislature and
voice your support for $15 million for Florida Forever: Senate President Mike Haridopolos,
haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov, 850 487-5056
House Speaker Dean Cannon,
dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov, (850) 488-2742
Senator Don Gaetz,
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov, (850) 487-5009
Rep. Denise Grimsley,
denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov, (850) 488-3457
Senator Alan Hays,
hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov, (850) 487-5014
Rep. Will Weatherford,
will.weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov, (850) 488-5744
Everglades Restoration: The House budget provides $30 million for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the implementation of the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Program, and hybrid wetland/chemical treatment projects. The full Senate has yet to act on their budget.
Senate Bill 1362/House Bill 1033 (Sovereignty submerged lands bill): This measure, which would have drastically changed who owns the lands along our lakes and rivers, has stalled and appears to have died this session. This bill has been the subject of massive public outcry, so thank you for voicing your position. While no issue is declared officially dead until the last day of the session, this one hopefully has been defeated.
SPB 7092 – Water Managements Districts: This bill increases legislative authority and oversight over the water management districts, thereby further politicizing policy decisions that should be based on science and conservation so that our waters may be cleaned up and our water recharge lands protected. This bill also strips needed funds from the Districts. Please contact your
State Senator and ask that this bill be amended so that the Districts have the flexibility to adequately manage water and are sufficiently funded.
SB 1158/HB 695 Oil Drilling on State Lands: These bills open up public lands to oil and gas exploration and extraction. There is an ongoing extraction facility on Blackwater River State Forest in Northwest Florida, and we are hopeful that this bill can be changed to limit the impact of this bill to this ongoing facility. Please contact your
Senator and Representative and ask them to amend this bill to only address Blackwater River State Forest.
SB 1372/HB 833 Reforming Hurricane Catastrophe Fund: The Florida Wildlife Federation supports reform of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (Cat Fund) and Citizens Property Insurance because reform will lead to fewer public subsidies in high risk coastal areas. By returning these government-run entities to their original mission, we can move towards ending the practice of subsidizing reckless coastal development, thus better protecting Florida’s residents, wildlife and natural storm buffers.
Important reform legislation has been filed in the 2012 Legislative Session. SB 1372 by Sen. JD Alexander has been favorably recommended by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. HB 833 by Rep. Bill Hager has been “work-shopped” in committee but no vote has been taken. Both of these measures are positive steps toward “right sizing” the Cat Fund, and better protecting our environment, insureds and you, the taxpayer.
Please contact your state representative and let them know you support reform of the Hurricane Cat Fund. You may contact your Senators and Representatives by going to the following web address and inserting your address or zip code:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx Thank you!