There is a reason you belong to AIF.  You count on us to watch every amendment and negotiate bills as they move through the process.  Today was one of those days where we found one of those amendments.

We are under a “one hour” rule to notice a Council meeting in the House.  So late in the afternoon a House Environment & Natural Resource Council was noticed for 5:15 pm.  The only bill was HB 301 by Rep. Janet Long dealing with recycling.  AIF is opposed to Rep. Long’s bill not because it encourages recycling for state agencies and airports but that it mandate businesses, associations and organizations who receive funding from state government to recycle aluminum cans, recyclable plastic and glass to the greatest extent practicable.  Staff analysis from previous meetings state that there is a problem with defining “to the greatest extent practicable” so we have asked Rep. Long to consider adding the words “and economically practicable” so that a business, association or organization will not spend more money trying to recycle materials than they will receive at a recycling center for them.

I found out that a PCS (proposed committee substitute) was gong to be offered to make significant changes to the recycling laws.  We were able to get an amendment filed thanks to Rep. Baxter Troutman that would add our proposed “economically feasible” language but the amendment was not considered during the Council meeting.  But while looking at the PCS I noticed another bad section to the bill.

Section 1 in the PCS reads that a county or municipality may not adopt by ordinance or use in practice any definition that is inconsistent with certain definitions.  What does that mean?  The current statute says a local government shall not adopt by ordinance any definition that is inconsistent with certain definitions.  If this language is approved by the legislature local governments can pick and choose which definitions they want to follow. 

This is not good public policy!  If state laws places certain definitions in statute and the local government decides it does not like them, they can do their own thing.  Can you imagine trying to keep up with over 400 cities and 67 counties all with different “practices?”

The bill is now on the Special Order Calendar for Friday and I am hopeful that we can resolve this issue before then.  But what would have happened if you did not have someone watching over the process for you?  After session, you would find out that a bad bill or a bad section to a good bill was passed costing you and your company time and money.

Our AIF Team promises to keep watching out for your interests!

Keyna

Today was the last day for committee meetings in the Senate.  Some of us were jumping for joy, especially if your bill was passed by the committee of last reference, meaning the bill is ready for the Special Order Calendar.

Some of us were also celebrating if a bad bill did not make it out of committee; effectively killing it for the session. 

Others were sad because it was their last committee meeting forever.  Senator Steve Geller made a point of telling the Senate committee on Community Affairs that this was his last committee meeting after 20 years of legislative service.  Sen. Geller even served as Chairman of the committee during a Republican Era just a few years ago.

WOW - I can remember his first election when he beat an incumbent, Rep. Irma Rochlin from Hallandale and well the rest is history!  He has served in the Legislature since 1988 and now all of that institutional knowledge will be a thing of the past.  Senator Dan Webster is the longest serving legislator, but not by much more than Geller! 

Don't get me wrong - you may love Steve and despise him all in the same day.  But he was always fun!  He has that dry sense of humor that I love!  Then Senator Mandy Dawson said it was her last meeting as well.  Mandy started off as a Legislative Aide to Rep. Bill Clark.  After he retired, Mandy easily won his House seat.  After a few years, she challenged Senator Matt Meadows and won the Senate seat.  Now due to term limits, she is leaving the process as well. 

Now that I am beginning to feel like the historian of the Legislature I am looking forward to the new group of legislators that will be elected this fall. 

Keyna

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

Last Friday I started off with a TGIF and now this week I feel like this Friday will never end.  Today's House session was scheduled from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm but at 9:00 pm I am still sitting on the fourth floor of the Capitol waiting for session to end.  And the end is no where in sight.  Rumor has it that it will be midnight before they complete their agenda.

It all started earlier today when the House Democrats wanted to debate an education bill.  Speaker Rubio cut the debate short and it made the Democrats mad.  So as a Minority Party how can you retaliate?  Shift back to the Constitution.  Minority Leader Dan Gelber used a procedural move that required the House to read each bill in full before they could vote on it.  If 40 or more members vote in favor of reading a bill in full, it must be done.  With the Democrats having 43 members, it was easy for them to do.

Some of the bills were very long!  This slowed the process to a crawl.  And to make the situation a little tenser, Speaker Marco Rubio demanded that all legislators sit in their seat and not leave the House Chambers as each bill was read in full.  Now you have 120 very unhappy campers sitting in their seats looking very unhappy.

I have seen this maneuver many times in the past.  History shows us that this has happened back in 1972 for 10 hours straight.  I think I will see history being made tonight.  Unfortunately tonight is the Black Caucus Gala in Tallahassee and the some members were trying to go home since the Passover Holiday begins at sundown on Saturday.  Even though the Speaker said if a representative needed to leave to go home for Passover or go to the Gala they would be considered excused from session but very few left.  The House Democrats stuck together on the procedural votes and therefore the members who would have gone to the Gala or left to go home for Passover stayed in the Chamber.  They were determined not to lose their 40 votes! 

So I sit on the fourth floor of the Capitol with only one other lobbyist wondering what the heck I am doing here.  I have worked so much on HB 105 by Rep. Baxter Troutman dealing with secondary metal theft and it is number 6 on the new calendar.  I feel as though I can not let down the Floridians for Copper & Metal Theft Crime Prevention Coalition and leave before the bill is considered for a final vote of the House.  Yesterday there were questions from members on the floor about the bill that needed to be answered and I am concerned if I leave more questions will arise.  No matter how hard you try to work out all of the questions before the bill gets to the floor someone will come up with a new one for us.     

So I sat patiently waiting.  This bill is too important to too many of our AIF members.  I can sleep in tomorrow.  But around 9:45 pm they brought up HB 105 by Rep. Troutman and after about 30 minutes of questions and debate, the bill passed 108 to 0! 

I went home after the vote on HB 105 but the session continued until after 2:00 am.  I am having flash backs of the old days when sessions would last until the wee hours of the night.  I hope this will be the last long night this session.  I miss the years when President Toni Jennings and Speaker Dan Webster ruled … we were done by 6:00 pm every night. 

And I have never meant it more than today.  Our AIF Team has worked very hard this week covering a wide range of issues.  Normally, Fridays are not as busy so we can catch our breaths.  Unfortunately, that was not the case today.  We are down to our final Council meetings other than Policy and Budget in the House.  So major proposed committee bills (PBC) were on Council agendas today and some of them were priority issues for AIF.

I was involved with the Florida Forever PCB in the House Environment & Natural Resources Council.  Now I am sure you are scratching your head saying why would a major business association care about Florida Forever?  It's really simple.  We can't recruit businesses to an asphalt jungle!  We need responsible growth and need to preserve certain key lands in Florida.  But let's not just put land in isolation and not allow the people to enjoy them or use them for other public purposes. 

AIF was instrumental in organizing the Florida Coalition for Responsible Preservation for Public Lands, a broad based group of businesses and associations interested in public access to waterways, using public lands for alternative water supply projects and relocating imperil species.  Also we wanted a better management plan for the lands acquired.

Well Rep. Will Kendrick gets the gold star for a PCB that encompasses the Coalition desires for a successor program to the current Florida Forever. The PCB received unanimous approval from the Council this afternoon, but we still have a way to go.  We are still in negotiations with certain environmental organizations on key issues such as working waterfronts and imperil species, but we are very close to a compromise. 

To be a part of this effort to re-enact such an important environmental issue is a first for AIF.  Sometimes people say they have white hat issues; this is our "green hat" issue for the session.

I hope our team gets some much needed rest this week-end; we are in for a busy week.

Keyna

From time to time AIF lobbyists have the opportunity to testify on proposed legislation during committee meetings.  People present their position on why a bill is good or bad.  If you worked the committee in advance and know that you have the votes or on non-controversial bills, committee chairmen appreciate when you "waive" your time and just stand and say you support or oppose the bill. 

The House Government Efficiency & Accountability Council held marathon meetings during the last two days and I had several bills on their agenda.  I was able to "waive" my time on all of them.  But this morning as I waived my time in support of a bill, Chairman Frank Attkisson asked "Waiving...is that all you do?" I could not believe he said that!  After all, his advice to all who testify is "Be bright, be brief, be done!" He gave me brownie points the day before for following the “3 B’s.” 

But the best line from Rep. Attkisson came after I waived my time in support of the APA bill and so did Rebecca O'Hara from the Florida League of Cities.  Normally we do not agree on much legislation so when we did, he stopped the meeting to say "AIF and the Cities agreeing on an issue?  Let's savor the moment!"

As I sit in the Capitol at 8:30 pm, still watching the House in Session…I wish that legislators would follow Rep. Attkisson’s “3 B’s.”

Keyna

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

My day started off a little rocky.  My first challenging moment came during the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation meeting when the Brownfields bill by Senator Lee Constantine was being discussed.  When I was called upon to testify, the people behind me were asking me a question on another bill so I was distracted momentarily.  All of sudden I realized everyone was staring at me so I quickly recovered by standing and waiving my time in support of the bill.  Senator Charlie Justice asked me if I had my second cup of coffee yet.  That will teach me to pay attention to the committee when I have a bill up! 

Then I was to meet with Senate President Ken Pruitt on the alternative water supply funding.  But the other bill I was working on, the Florida Forever legislation, was last on the agenda so I missed my meeting with him!  Good thing we are part of the Florida Water Alliance!  Thanks to my blackberry, I contacted the other Alliance members and asked them to start the meeting without me.  When the committee meeting was over I ran over to the President’s office but just missed the meeting.

Finally the “Guns in the Workplace Bill” was up on the Senate floor.  Thanks to Senators Dave Aronberg and Ted Deutch several good amendments were offered but unfortunately none of them were adopted.  But leave it to Senator Larcenia Bullard to make me smile.  She told the Senate that she did not carry a gun, instead she carries a bat!   I wonder if that is classified as a concealed weapon!

So with the day that I have had I am glad it is over and I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I have coordinated a meeting for the Florida Water Alliance with Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp to talk about alternative water supply program funding. 

And yes … I still love my job even on days like today!

Keyna

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

This morning we held our AIF Mid-Session Briefing at the Governor’s Club.  We had a full house for our early morning breakfast meeting with people arriving at 7:30 am.  But everyone attending was interested in hearing from our two keynote speakers, Senator Mike Haridopolos, Chairman of the Senate Finance & Tax Committee and Rep. Ray Sansom, Chair of the House Policy & Budget Council.  Senator Haridopolos talked about the Taxation & Budget Reform Commission of which he is a non-voting member.  He has been quite vocal about CP002, the proposal that would eliminate the RLE (required local effort) taxes and make the legislature find the money through sales tax exemption reviews; an increase sales tax of 1 cent; reduce state government; and any other means necessary to make up the $11 billion dollar tax shift.  He is hopeful that the TBRC will continue hearings on the proposal.  Senator Haridopolos had a great line, “If it’s a great idea, put it in the sunshine and let it grow!”  He also told the audience that a services tax is inevitable.  Maybe we could have a “Spitzer Escort Service” tax, he suggested in jest.

Rep. Sansom was very complimentary to AIF and thanked us for being a leader by bringing the Economic Stimulus Package to the legislature.  I know Barney must have been proud as he worked so hard to get a broad base of organizations involved with this project.

Our AIF team was great!  Each team member talked about their area of expertise and updated our members on where certain legislation was in the process.  We have a new Mid-Session hand-out that was well received.  And our hand-out came in handy as I was interviewed by the Sun-Sentinel about the status of AIF’s priorities at the mid-session point. 

After the briefing, it was off to the Capitol for meetings with individual legislators on the alternative water supply program funding and Florida Forever.  It was a long day with several committee meetings as well. 

I thought I would have to dial 911 for poor Rep. Chris Dorworth as he appeared before the House Economic Expansion & Infrastructure Council.  He got out of bed to present his bill on registering paid petition circulators.  There was heated debate, but Rep. Dorworth kept his cool and eventually received a favorable vote.  I hope someone drove him home and put him back into bed!  There is a virus that has run rampant through the Capitol so beware!

Keyna

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

I am trying to clean off my desk and get organized for next week.  As I file my calendars and committee packets I am amazed how many issues the AIF Team covered last week!  Insurance, Florida Forever, affordable housing, economic development, transportation, APA, arbitration, ports security, property taxes, water, health insurance, education, and yes “Guns in the Workplace.”  The Taxation & Budget Reform Commission met and we even had an issue before them so it has been a full week. 

In this process you win some and you lose some but as the saying goes … “It’s not over until the fat lady sings!”  And the band hasn’t even arrived yet so there is plenty of time to work out differences between the House and the Senate and other interested parties.  But the one thing I have learned after all my years in the process … if you don’t succeed the first time … try, try again!

This week perseverance paid off.  The Taxation & Budget Reform Commission approved a constitutional amendment proposal to place working waterfronts in a special category when property values are assessed.  I have been working with the Working Waterfront Property Coalition for several months now trying to craft language that would help our marina and boat manufacturers with their property tax problems.  It has not been easy but we did it!  We tried getting similar language in the property tax amendment passed by the legislature last fall but we were not able to get the language in Amendment 1.  So the coalition went to the TBRC and asked for their help.  The language now goes to the Style and Drafting committee so they can craft the title using no more than 15 words and ballot language which can not contain more than 75 words.  Once they complete that process the proposal goes back to the full commission for a final vote.  If approved by the TBRC the language will appear on the November 2008 ballot for voters to decide.  

And you will never know who you will see in the Capitol!  During this time of the year the Capitol is filled with school children learning about the government; individuals who are participating in their “association’s “day; tourists from other states and countries; and the occasional celebrity.  This week we had our share of sports legends.

Jim Brown, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame and actor, was in town working on a juvenile justice program called Amer-I-Can.  At the same time, it was Spring Training Day and on the floor of the House were MLB Hall of Fame players Jim Palmer and Reggie Jackson.   How many times have you ever seen two great athletics reaching an elevator at the same time and stopping it to talk!  Jim told Reggie years ago that African Americans should not be critical of white people because any accomplishments made by African Americans would not have happened without a white person helping them.  For example he said Jackie Robinson would have never been the first African American to play professional baseball if Branch Rickey had not given him the opportunity.  Reggie remembered the story and told Jim that he had just repeated it to another person.  The elevator was full yet no one moved as Reggie and Jim talked.  I think everyone was amazed not only seeing two sport legends but hearing such a historic conversation!

Next week we will have our AIF Mid-Session Briefing and our team is ready to let our members know where key legislative priorities stand.  Rep. Ray Sansom and Senator Mike Haridopolos are our guest speakers and we are all interested in hearing how they think the session is going at this mid way point.  I will let you know how it goes!

Keyna

This morning in the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee, I heard a phrase from Senator Lawson - "psychological intoxication."  I had never heard that line before, but as the day unfolded, I found myself using it over and over.  Senator Lawson was discussing the perception of lawmakers that his constituents will likely develop when they get their personal  insurance bills and realize that they are subsidizing coastal homeowners for property insurance - even if they are looking at their automobile insurance policy and don't own a home themselves.

Later, the Senate Judiciary Committee again passed the guns in the workplace legislation, including removing the immunity provisions that the Criminal Justice Committee added to the bill last year.  The House companion of the guns bill will be considered tomorrow in the full House, and so far, neither Chamber is giving much credence to the business community's problems on the issue.

The Senate Judiciary Committee also considered and passed a bill relating to arbitration that had only been released to the public a couple hours prior to the committee meeting. The debate and public testimony on that bill was significantly limited based on a promise of working with concerned groups in the future by its sponsor, Senator Ted Deutch.  Now, I have every confidence that Senator Deutch will keep his word and work with the business community and other groups to attempt to reach a compromise on that issue.  However, seeing how successful the trial lawyers were in committee votes today, and how the legislators paid such little attention to the negative implications that will inevitably impact and increase costs for businesses and consumers alike, at a time when our economy needs all the help it can get from our elected leaders, makes me think that Senator Lawson’s' phrase will be repeated again on numerous occasions before this session expires.

Tammy

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

Today's meeting of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee was possibly the most somber and sobering committee meeting I have ever witnessed.   Senate leadership has charged each and every state agency to present its appropriations committees with proposals equaling an across-the-board 10% reduction, in order to accommodate this extraordinarily difficult budget year.  The committee opened this morning with a presentation from the Honorable R. Fred Lewis, Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, on behalf of the State Courts System.

Chief Justice Lewis explained the current status of Florida's court dockets, including its significant existing backlog in certain areas and division. He then stated that a 10% budget reduction would represent at least 900 jobs throughout the already lean judicial branch of government.  He explained that such a cut would likely bring Florida's judicial system to a grinding halt. Such reductions would mean that criminal trials would not proceed in a timely manner because there would not be enough judges, prosecutors or public defenders to try cases. Additionally, civil litigation would also be significantly impacted.  One can easily imagine that judges in civil cases would be assigned to handle criminal matters, leaving businesses waiting longer for outcomes in their cases, many of which determine a business's ultimate fate and success in any given endeavor.

Senator Alex Villalobos was the first senator to respond to the Chief Justice's presentation.  "We all know that justice delayed is justice denied," he said, "and that this proposition is unacceptable." He encouraged the committee members to fight these reductions on the floor, despite the situation of being so severely restricted at the committee level.

Senator Charlie Dean also committed his support of the state courts system, bringing perhaps the only moment of levity to the room when he quipped "If I have to choose between saving a frog or a gator compared to keeping Florida's citizens protected by an adequate court system, then the frog will just have to go." Despite this brief moment of humor, it was obvious that these senators were extraordinarily vexed over being forced to create a budget for the judicial branch that, if implemented, would jeopardize the security and safety that the authority of the court system provides to the State of Florida. Committee Chair Victor Crist (R-Tampa) reminded the committee members that he was only provided a finite amount of funding, albeit inadequate, and that the committee was bound to create their assigned portions of the budget within that amount.

The Chief Justice ended his presentation by informing the committee of the judicial branch's willingness to work with them to find new revenue sources and new ways to save. However, he promised that the death of the judicial branch would not be a result of its own making and would have to be forced onto it by the Legislature's ultimate funding decision.

The same committee is scheduled to continue to accept testimony relative to the various aspects of court funding next week.  The testimony will likely span several meetings.  I look forward to advocating for adequate funding to the court system on behalf of the business community.  In these difficult budget times, businesses are frequently faced with additional legal hurdles - more bankruptcies, more litigation from competitors or disgruntled customers, and on and on.  The judicial branch must be able to respond to those needs and resolve those matters quickly. Otherwise, Senator Villalobos' comment becomes true and justice is denied.

Tammy

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

The pressure on getting some bills heard and passed through a House committee this week is immense and being felt by lobbyists and legislators alike.

Today was a prime example of this process.  The House Courts committee had a lengthy agenda this morning, including a bill by the Court Committee Chairman, Representative Dennis Ross that would standardize Florida's evidentiary standards for expert witnesses.  However, there were several other bills that generated significant public opinion and debate that took most of the committee's time and there were 4 bills that the Committee did not have an opportunity to consider.  However, Chair Ross announced he would refer the remaining bills to the House Safety & Security Council for its consideration, in light of the time constraints.  There were no committee members who objected to this reference, and it is believed that all the bills will be considered at that level.

In particular, the expert witness bill, HB 645, is much needed legislation for Florida's business community.  Generally, it allows courts to utilize federal evidentiary standards to evaluate expert witness testimony.  This is important to Florida because many other states have adopted this standard, including our close neighbors in Georgia and Mississippi.  Such measures create a more fair and level playing field for judicial proceedings and the judicial environment is a key consideration when businesses are determining whether to locate or maintain operations in the state. Florida needs to offer this same legal climate to its business community to continue the pace as an economic leader of the country and to improve its position in the global economy. Hopefully, the time pressures of the session will not prevent legislators from continuing to consider and ultimately adopt this important measure for improving our judicial system.  I am hopeful the Council will give this bill the consideration and deliberation it merits and ultimately approve its passage.

Tammy

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

HB 949 by Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera hit a snag today in the House Committee on Urban and Local Affairs.  This joint resolution is a constitutional amendment proposal that caps the amount of property tax one would pay to 1.35%.  There was just one question no one seemed to be able to answer … why 1.35%?  Until someone can give the committee members an answer the bill was temporarily postponed until the next meeting.  This is a priority issue of Speaker Marco Rubio.  He is actively campaigning throughout the state to get the required signatures on a citizens’ petition ballot … so far they have over 100,000 signatures, but they have a long way to go.  So Rep. Lopez-Cantera and the Speaker thought if they could get the legislature to pass a joint resolution they could get their issue on the ballot earlier.  But it is not looking good.  The Senate does not have a companion bill.  Without a companion bill normally an issue does not see the light of day in a committee.  However, I see another plan taking shape.  They want to get the issue to the floor so that they can discuss the issue and get media attention.  With the media attention, they will probably pick up more signatures for their petition.  Not a bad plan!

Keyna

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update

Being the good little Irish girl, I believe in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and sometimes even the day after.  Over the years I have attended St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Savannah and Fort Lauderdale and have enjoyed each and every one of them.  But I have really enjoyed the recent St. Patrick’s Day parties here in Tallahassee.  We used to hold a party at one of the downtown restaurants and then moved the party to our office conference room.  With the gift law, we thought the St. Patrick’s Party would be just a fond memory of the past.  But thanks to the Irish American Caucus, the party lives on.  Now Representatives Jack Seiler, Ron Reagan, Sandy Adams, Mary Brandenburg, Keith Fitzgerald, Kurt Kelly, Dennis Ross, Kelly Skidmore and Senator Bill Posey chip in to pay for the party and so the St. Patty’s Day celebration lives on! 

We had to move the celebration from March 17 to tonight due to so many of the legislators traveling yesterday.  Tonight, Goodies restaurant was appropriately decorated and the corn beef and cabbage and Irish stew were served along with great beers … and none of that green stuff!  We had a packed house.  It was great to see old friends as well; former State Representative Bob “Coach” Henriquez was there with his new baby boy … and what a cutie!   As I help close down the party, Rep. Seiler and I talked about his time in the legislature.  I am going to really miss Jack, as he can not run for the House again due to term limits.  However Rep. Seiler is running for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale.  If he wins guess when his swearing in ceremony will be … you guessed it March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day in 2009!  Another great reason to celebrate St. Patty’s Day … in Fort Lauderdale!

So as I drive home still singing my favorite Irish tunes I will think of all of the great people in this legislative process.  I will need my rest tonight as tomorrow is a very busy day for the AIF Team!

Keyna

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update .

The annual college basketball tournament known as "March Madness" will soon be upon us. Conferences have begun their tournaments and the field of 64 will be filled on "Selection Sunday." This is a great time of year as lobbyists, staff, and legislators sneak some TV viewing time in between committee meetings and floor votes to check up on scores. There are so many games at the beginning of the tournament that they are held in the early afternoon and into the night. It always fun to find out what school everyone roots for.

But here in Tallahassee there is another kind of "march madness" and that is session. As the first two or three weeks of session conclude, issues begin to move from committees and onto the calendar (meaning they are ready to be voted on by the entire Senate or House). This is the time to make sure your language is air tight and that you have all your "talking points" and "talk sheets" in place. This year will be especially maddening because of the tough economic times we are experiencing. The revenue estimating conference, a group of economists and legislative staff that meets on a periodic basis to guesstimate what that state revenue will look like in the future, met this week and the news was not good. It looks like sales tax revenue estimates will be $2.9 billion (that's billion with a B) dollars lower than expected. AIF believes that one way to stimulate the economy is by one-time investments in infrastructure (roads, workforce housing, water, ports, etc.) using non-recurring revenue. That is why 18 other business associations have joined AIF in supporting our Economic Stimulus Package or ESP as we like to call it. For more info on the ESP check out www.aif.com

On a totally different note, Friday should be a fun day as the House Insurance Committee will be holding a special meeting on the potentially disastrous effects of having to fund hurricane losses through hurricane taxes on Florida's businesses and residents. Representatives from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and the Hurricane Cat Fund will be on the hot seat as the House turns the attention on them and "flips the script" as the say on the property insurance debate. I wonder if members of the Senate Select Committee on Property Insurance Accountability will be watching the proceedings on TV?

See you in the halls,

Jose

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update .

Sitting in the hot and stuffy House Environment & Natural Resource Council meeting today…it felt like déjà vu all over again or a scene from that movie “Groundhog Day.”  At stake was passage of the “Guns in the Workplace” bill that for three years now has pitted the business community versus supporters of the NRA and gun-rights activists.  This highly contentious bill has the ability to draw a crowd.  Not a seat was available in the Committee room and most in the audience had a nervous look about them.  Regardless or where you stand on the bill, you have to be amazed at the number of lobbyists, advocates, and concerned citizens that come out to experience the debate.  As I stood in the back of the room (it was standing room only as well) I overheard someone refer to this bill as the “lobbyist relief act of 2008.”  Controversial issues like this tend to get a lot of lobbyist hired to work the issue, but no number of lobbyist would have changed the outcome today.  It was clear that, unlike previous years, the bill was going to get out of the Council.  Very few members debated the issue and it was left up to a straight up or down vote.  The general consensus is that the House wants the Senate to have the final say on what happens to the bill.  As usual, AIF will continue to oppose this legislation.  Stay tuned for Episode 2

See you in the halls,

Jose

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update .

Tonight, AIF had the privilege of hosting the freshmen class of House Democrats for dinner at the home of Jack and Keyna Cory (we did the same with the House Republicans last year).  We had been working on scheduling this event for quite some time, but due to scheduling and all the special sessions last year, it wasn’t until tonight that we were able to make it work.  It was great to be able to share some time “off the clock” with these members.  Incoming Minority Leader Franklin Sands has done a great job of helping to recruit pro-business democrats to run for office, and we have developed a great working relationship with them.  Now, we won’t always see eye to eye with these folks, but for the first time we at AIF feel like the door to their offices will be open.  Our president, Barney Bishop, had all the members attention when he addressed them and explained AIF’s top issues for this year’s session.  All in all it was a great night of fellowship and conversation, and thanks to the “Dutch Treat” box at the Cory’s everyone had a chance to enjoy some good food and good company.

I also learned tonight that Rep. Joe Gibbons was elected chair of the Black Caucus.  He replaces Rep. Peterman, who as many of you know was recently appointed as DJJ Secretary.  We really look forward to working with Rep. Gibbons and the rest of the caucus and we know that he will a great job of leading this powerful block of legislators.  His awareness of business issues should go a long way in establishing a better working relationship with the business community.  Congratulations Joe…you deserve it.

See you in the halls.

Jose

For more, in depth information please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update .

I have a heavy heart tonight.  This morning I received an e-mail letting me know that a friend and fellow colleague had a stroke and was taken off her ventilator.  Later this afternoon, I found out that Linda Cox (a former legislator from Broward County) had died.  Linda worked her way up from a legislative aide to a three term legislator.  Her aide Anne Mackenzie followed in her footsteps and was elected to her House seat in the 1980’s.

This petite, beautiful, woman was a joy to work with in the Capitol and she will truly be missed by members of both parties.  I am glad her photo is in the House Office Building eating pizza with Anne.  As I pass this photo every day I will smile as it will allow me to have fond memories of Linda both in the Capitol and around Tallahassee; we both had our hair cut by Riko! 

Our prayers are with her family.  All of this makes me realize how important every day is.  Make sure to live every day to the fullest extent possible.   

Jose

For more, in depth please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update .

The first week of the 2008 Session is officially in the books and I am already feeling it.  As I stop to chat with fellow lobbyists, staffers, and legislators they all seem to agree that this week has taken its toll.  Perhaps it’s the rainy weather we have been having in Tallahassee or perhaps it’s the dismal outlook of our economy.  Everywhere you go, you can’t help but hear the headlines about our state and our country heading into a recession.  Today’s papers reported that the US has lost 63,000 jobs in February making it two straight months of job decline.  The industries that are hardest hit are manufacturing and construction (no surprise there…housing starts in Florida are in the dumps).  Maybe all this bad news contributed to tempers flaring on the House Floor on Wednesday, when legislators on both sides of the aisle got personal as they debated the difficult budget cuts that are needed in order to balance the budget.

Yet, among all this doom and gloom it’s the business community and entrepreneurs who continue to provide ideas for turning this economy around.  This morning I attended a meeting with LG Jeff Kottkamp, along side a number of members of the Coalition for Responsible Preservation of Public Lands.  This diverse group of business associations is looking at ways to enhance the successor to the Florida Forever program by convincing the Legislature to enact a program which allows for:

• increased water access for the public;
• additional alternative water projects;
• use of public lands for imperiled species;
• use of public lands for linear facilities; and
• more accountable land management.

This is an innovative, market-based approach for conserving state lands, which has the potential to bring additional revenues to the state through the siting of linear facilities (transmission lines) on state lands and increased economic activity in the form of recreational boating (in 2005 the marine industry brought $18.4 billion to the State and created 220,000 jobs).  Lieutenant Governor Kottkamp really seemed to like the idea and was excited about the proposal.  AIF and the rest of the Coalition members have also reached out to other legislative leaders - who also recognize the potential of this proposal. 

Who said you can’t mix business and conservation.  For now, I am ready to head home and get some much needed rest. 

See you in the halls.

Jose

For more, in depth please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Update .

I do not know what to expect from day to day.  The House and Senate were working on their appropriation bills and since their versions were different they had to appoint conference committees to work it out.  This process should have lasted for several days including Saturday and Sunday.  Each side keeps presenting offers until they come to an agreement and it takes time for the negotiations.  But today, the conference committees finished their work this afternoon; some of them met for less than 30 minutes.  Strange way to start the session!  Well at least I won’t have to work this week-end!

The Senate was not quite as tense during their deliberations on the budget.  Yesterday, several members of the House were quite testy!  The biggest argument was a constitutional question … Florida must have a balanced budget but the Democrats wanted to find new revenue sources and the Republicans wanted to make cuts in last years budget only.  The Republicans won.  But Senator Rhonda Storms had the most interesting line of the day.  She was quite annoyed about the Democrats bashing the Republicans on their budget cuts so she brought it to the attention of the Senate about the Democrats “Slot Machine Tax Relief Act” as she called it. After pointing out that by lowering the tax on the slot machines in Broward County less tax dollars would be going to fund education.  When she finished her passionate speech she said, “Put that in your peace pipe and smoke it!”

I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I have coordinated a meeting for the Florida Coalition for Responsible Preservation of Public Lands with Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp to discuss the Florida Forever.  Normally I would say this is my “white hat” issue but maybe it would be more appropriate for me to say it is my “green hat” issue for this administration.

Keyna

For more, in depth please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Brief.

A big part of being a successful business association is spending time with legislators and educating them on our issues.  At the beginning of each session I like to meet with all the legislators that have been assigned to me.  Today, I met with Representatives Keith Fitzgerald, Chris Dorworth, and Joe Gibbons.  A good lobbyist has the ability to tailor his or her message so that it makes a lasting impression on a legislator or staff member.  I had a great discussion with Rep. Fitzgerald on energy issues, which are extremely important to the business community.  Rep. Fitzgerald, is a college professor from Sarasota and I enjoy discussing the issues with him because he is always prepared.  We look forward to hosting him at one of our Energy Council meetings so he can share some of his innovative ideas with the group.  I know the stereotype is the most college professors live in their ivory towers, but this professor knows all about making a profit and what it takes for a business to be successful.

Next, I met with Rep. Chris Dorworth…now that was a fun meeting.  Rep. Matt Hudson, one of the new faces in the House, kept coming in during the meeting…I finally figured out why when Chris informed me that they were roommates this session.  Rep. Dorworth and I go way back.  The first political campaign I ever participated in was his campaign for Student Body President (I still have the “Action Party” t-shirt somewhere in a drawer) at the University of Florida.  Anyone, who has attended UF knows just how competitive and intense these campaigns can be.  So needless to say I was very proud when he was elected to the Legislature.  Rep. Dorworth is going to be a great champion for the business community and I look forward to working with him.

And finally, there was Rep. Joe Gibbons…one of the most energetic members of the House.  Rep. Gibbons is another Democratic member that understands business, especially with his background with IBM.  We had a good discussion on property insurance and the importance of reducing Florida’s exposure to hurricane damages.  This is especially important to him because his district and his home are predominately on the water.  Florida has the most coastal exposure in the nation; therefore, it is critical that we do something about the potential for assessments or hurricane taxes that will inevitably be paid by the business owners of this state when the big one hits.

I am really looking forward to meeting with the rest of my “assigned” members.

Jose

For more, in depth please go to our "Members Only" Legislative Brief.

Today was the first day of the 2008 Regular Legislative Session. For the next 60 days the Florida Legislature will convene to work on the budget and other issues. Normally the budget takes about one-third of their time … this year it will be different. Our revenues are down. With the housing market and other factors, Florida’s coffers are not as full as they have been in years past. Budgets are decided in the closing days of the session but this year the legislature will be considering a reduction to our 2007 – 08 budget during the first few days because of the short falls. The Governor wants the legislature to use “rainy day” funds to balance the budget; the fiscally conservatives Senate President Ken Pruitt and Speaker Marco Rubio say no. So the games begin. Rumor has it that the Governor may veto some of the budget cuts being proposed by the House and the Senate. And this is just day one! So we expect the legislature to spend more time than normal on the budget. This will be an interesting week to watch.

Today was interesting as we had several new members beginning sworn in for the first time. New Representatives Oscar Braynon and Tony Sasso were officially presented to the House and they took their oaths of office. I love seeing the excitement in their faces. But a veteran lawmaker also had excitement in his eyes this morning. Rep. Matt Meadows came over to give me a kiss on the cheek and he was so excited about his House Democratic Caucus that took place earlier that morning. “Keyna,” he said, “We have so many new legislators in our caucus, we ran out of chairs!”

And who knew that Rep. Kurt Kelly, another new freshman legislator could sing! He sang the National Anthem this morning and it was so moving! What a great voice!

OK – I promised to tell you about the AIF Welcome Back Reception that took place last night. Well about 2,000 of our closest friends came for food, fellowship and fun underneath a beautiful evening sky! The weather was perfect and it seemed as though everyone had a great time. Anheuser-Busch provided a majestic eagle and 2 of the cutest little penguins you have ever seen! We had more legislators than we had in the past couple of years … well since the gift ban and had over 50 in attendance last night. It was a magical night to see old friend as well as new.

The AIF Team will be working on several issues tomorrow. Water legislation will be in the House Natural Resources Council; Seaport Security Standards Advisory Council bill is up in the Senate Military Affairs and Domestic Security; theft of copper metals specifically relating to utilities in House Homeland Security; a workshop on Energy legislation in the House Energy Committee; workshop on mining moratoria and all of this on day 2!

See you in the halls!

Keyna