News

With the largely ceremonial and slow starting first week now well behind it, during the just concluded the second week of the 60 day legislative session, the pace picked up considerably and movement was seen both on the floor and in legislative committees on several key areas that the Central Florida Partnership will be closely following and involved in throughout the session.  Throughout the remainder of the session, we will be reporting from Tallahassee on these key issues important to our region each week in Every Monday.

No more important business faces the legislature than the adoption of a state budget and during this bleak budget year with a $2 billion shortfall looming, major differences have surfaced between Senate President Haridopolos and House Speaker Cannon on how to proceed.  Cannon prefers to timely conclude the budget during the session while Haridopolos is holding out for a delay until later in the spring when he feels the revenue picture will be clearer and perhaps more favorable.

In addition to the budget, two other major statewide issues will dominate the session - redistricting and an expansion of gambling.  On redistricting, the Senate is already moving very quickly and has approved its congressional and state senate redistricting plan which will now be considered by the House.  Later this week, the House will take up its plans for House redistricting.  Both Houses have a “gentleman’s agreement” they will accept the other house’s plan for its redistricting so the real battle could be over the congressional redistricting where two new seats must be created.  In Central Florida, all indications currently point toward the creation of a Hispanic-based senate and congressional district in Orange and Osceola Counties along with possibly another minority access House district.  There are some serious concerns over the fate of several pro-business regional House members - namely Representatives Precourt, Eisnaugle, Dorworth and Plakon - who would have to run against each other in several of the House redistricting plans under consideration.  Redistricting will unquestionably take many twists and turns in the coming weeks and, in the final analysis, the courts will weigh in on the legality of the maps that are being drawn.

A senate committee was also busy approving legislation by Sen. Elyn Bogdanoff  (R-Ft. Lauderdale),  which as amended will allow for a massive expansion of gambling in Florida.  The committee similarly approved legislation to regulate rather than ban internet cafes.  Despite these initial setbacks, thanks go out to Central Florida delegation   Senators John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine) and Thad Altman (R-Viera) for their strong opposition to these measures to expand gambling which are vehemently opposed by the Central Florida Partnership.  The news was better on the House side, where Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood), with support from his delegation colleague Rep. Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford), was successful in getting a House Committee to approve his legislation to ban internet cafes.  Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando) opposed Plakon’s bill in committee preferring instead to regulate the internet casinos.

Throughout the week, visits were made to the Tallahassee offices of the 38 members of the Central Florida Legislative Delegation to personally present and discuss with them  the resolution unanimously adopted by the Central Florida Partnership in opposition to the expansion of gambling in Florida.  Working with a broad coalition of anti-gambling interests led by the Florida Chamber, concerted efforts by the Central Florida Partnership will continue with the Central Florida delegation throughout the 2012 session to insure that an expansion of gambling does not occur.

Preserving our region’s water supply has become one of the top priorities of the Central Florida Partnership and myregion.org.  Last week some major activity was seen in the House with its Select Committee on Water Policy approving a proposed committee bill to extend consumptive use permits for the development of new alternative water supply projects from the current 20 years to 30 years.  In our Central Florida delegation, committee members, Representatives Bryan Nelson (R-Apopka) and Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford), have been instrumental in crafting this legislation.

Another legislative measure, HB 503 by Rep. Patronis (R-Panama City), is moving through the House. It is designed to further streamline environmental permitting which is a key objective of “Open for Business,” a coalition of regional business groups organized by the Central Florida Partnership.