As anticipated, we got our first look at the House and Senate Appropriations Bills towards the end of this week. These are the bills that spell out spending priorities for the Legislature. Typically, these bills serve as the starting point for budget negotiations between the House and Senate and the Governor. Sometime in the final days (if not hours) of the 60 day session, a deal is struck and the spending bills reach final passage. The key to all of this is any expenditure of funds by the state must show up in one or, preferably, both of the competing bills. The amounts may, and often do, differ. However, without an appropriation, the issue is dead. Thus, we now enter an important period of the session when dozens of amendments to the Appropriations legislation are offered.
Why is this important? Well for starters, the Florida Forever program funding is a key issue for our conservation community. Without funding, Florida Forever can buy no land. As we learned earlier in the year, Governor Crist sees a compelling need to increase spending for state lands to at least $400 million. FWF and our partners in the Florida Forever Coalition have encouraged the Legislature to up the ante to $600 million, backed by state bonds. Why bonds? Simple - if someone offered you $600 for a $10 bill, wouldn't you take it? The same applies to bonding for Florida Forever. If the legislature spends $10 million in general revenue, the state can underwrite $600 million in bonds to purchase conservation lands. At a time when real estate prices are relatively stable and conservation lands are in ever-decreasing supply, it makes good sense to purchase as much as we can at today's prices rather than wait. Thus, bonding is the answer. In a year when general revenue is in short supply, bonding provides a relatively inexpensive way to get more bang for the buck.
Unfortunately, a review of the initial Appropriations Bills indicates both the House and Senate chose to start with no increase from current levels of funding for Florida Forever. Without an amendment to change this, we may very well see no additional funds for this critical program to save habitat. Such a short-sighted approach would be detrimental to the Florida Forever program which has been under-funded in relationship to need for some time. With new transportation corridors planned across the state, we cannot let that happen!
The time to act is now! Tell your legislator you want to protect Florida's last great natural places. Below are some important points to make and a list of other key legislators who can make a difference. Call or write to them now to tell them you want increased funding for Florida Forever.
Some points you may wish to make include:
- The $600 million that we seek for Florida Forever funding is bond funding, not General Revenue. The only General Revenue impact would be $7-10 million needed to provide for a percentage of the first year's debt service.
- Our proposal would double the land conservation impact at very little General Revenue cost.
- As Senator Burt Saunders wrote in the Fort Myers News Press on February 19: "It is imperative that we act now. The dip in real estate prices is temporary. If we don't take this opportunity to increase Florida Forever funding and purchase future parks and natural areas now, they will be lost forever."
- The Governor's budget proposes $400 million - an increase of $100. This is promising, but the real need is at least $600 million.
In addition to your state legislators, here are others you should contact:
Senate President Ken Pruitt (SD 28, Port St. Lucie)
Room 312
Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5088
Senator Lisa Carlton, President Pro Tempore
(SD 23, Osprey)
Room 404
Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5081
Senator J. D. Alexander (SD 17, Lake Wales)
Room 412
Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5044
House Speaker Marco Rubio (HD 111, Miami)
420 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-1450
Rep. Ray Sansom (HD 4, Ft. Walton Beach)
418 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-1170
Rep. Dean Cannon (HD 35, Winter Park)
422 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-2742
You're Invited! On April 18, FWF and NWF are hosting the first ever Global Warming / Sustainable Energy Lobby Day at the Capitol in Tallahassee. Please mark this date on your calendar and join us if you can. FWF is watching a number of proposals that address both energy efficiency and sustainability. These bills range from incentives to buy energy efficient appliances to tax breaks and mandates for energy efficient construction. As we have previously reported, legislation is currently under consideration to create a Florida Climate Action Partnership, designed to focus political and business leadership on the problem of global climate change. As the agenda moves forward, it appears April 18 will present an important opportunity to speak out on these measures and your support will be very helpful.
