Governmental Affairs Report

After Republican State Representative Mike Fasano left the Florida House of Representatives to serve as the Pasco County Tax Collector, Republican Bill Gunter and Democrat Amanda Murphy squared off in a special election last month. Although Gunter maintained a funding advantage of 3 to 1, Murphy prevailed. This leaves the Florida House with 75 Republicans and 45 Democrats. There has been much political commentary and debate as to the significance of this race, with Republicans maintaining that it changes little or nothing in the grand scheme, and Democrats contending that it is the beginning of a tidal shift in Florida politics.

Congressman C.W. Bill Young passed away last month at the age of 82. A Tampa Bay Times editorial stated, "Florida and Tampa Bay will never have another member of Congress to match C.W. Bill Young's remarkable record of selfless public service. He served with eight U.S. presidents over parts of five decades. He brought home projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars that created jobs and helped define the region as a hub for military contractors, marine science and public education. And he represented his nation and his constituents with dignity, humility and grace even in periods when the nation's capital was torn by partisanship, anger and distrust."

Young was honored by a host of dignitaries at his memorial service in Pinellas County. With thousands in attendance, United States House Speaker John Boehner gave remarks, as did United States Sen. Bill Nelson. Governor Rick Scott sat in the front row. Former Republican Governor Charlie Crist was not among those honoring Congressman Young after his wife Beverly sent Crist an email notifying him that his presence at the memorial service would be unacceptable. Similar emails were sent to Democratic County Commissioner and former state Sen. Charlie Justice and Democrat Jessica Erlich, who have both challenged Congressman Young for his Congressional seat.

This week, Charlie Crist officially announced his candidacy for Governor as a Democrat. Republicans are ready to challenge Crist with his record as a former Republican and negative television advertisements have already begun airing. Even former top Crist advisor and U.S. Sen. George LeMieux has called Crist’s principles into question. However, several high profile Democrats have recently begun to endorse Crist, and initial skepticism among Democrats appears to be giving way to support.

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

The House State Affairs Committee and Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee held another lengthy joint hearing this week relating to water, this time focused on Lake Okeechobee and related issues. Presentations were given by the Department of Environmental Protection, St. Johns and South Florida Water Management Districts, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Dike issues were addressed. The structural integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike is compromised at certain lake levels and the lake rises very rapidly. Repairs are underway but are extremely expensive and will take at least a decade. The Dike protects 40,000 people living in the area. But discharges from the lake have created extreme water quality problems regionally. There was a considerable amount of discussion related to the nutrient issues facing the area and efforts to reduce nutrients, including water farming and the construction of regional stormwater management systems. The meeting packet for the Nov. 6 joint meeting can be viewed here. The meeting was also televised on the Florida Channel and can be viewed here.

The Senate Select Committee on the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin wrapped up its work this week. The committee packet can be viewed here. A video of the meeting can be found here. The Select Committee’s report has been finalized and can be viewed, along with other information, on the Committee’s webpage here. The report focused on three areas: (1) improving water quality; (2) expanding water storage capacity; and (3) strengthening the current relationship between the state and federal governments by clarifying areas of responsibility and working to improve accountability. In total, the report contains more than $220 million in proposed state funding. The report also recommends giving the Department of Environmental Protection authority over releases from Lake Okeechobee.

This task force was created during the 2013 Legislative Session in HB 85, for the purpose of issuing recommendations to the Legislature for creating a uniform process to establish public private partnerships at the local level. The task force held its second meeting in Tallahassee in October. Among other presentations, there were discussions related to local government infrastructure funding and financing of public private partnerships. The Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities also gave presentations. For more information and for background materials related to this meeting, please see the task force webpage on the Department of Management Services website here.

Florida’s unemployment rate in August was 7 percent, but state officials reported that last month the state actually lost jobs. The state was scheduled to report updated unemployment numbers earlier this month, but was unable to do so because of the federal government shutdown.

Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
http://www.flasla.org/