LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE HOSTS APPRECIATION BREAKFAST FOR VOLUSIA DELEGATION

On May 20, the Chamber?s Legislative Action Committee hosted a breakfast meeting for members of the Volusia delegation. Sen. Evelyn Lynn, Reps. Joyce Cusack, Pat Patterson, Dorothy Hukill, and Joe Pickens shared their comments on the recent session.

Sen. Lynn commented on the approval of a $63.1-billion State budget which includes $16.4-billion for K-12 education, including $556-million for class size reduction and $387-million to establish voluntary pre-K program. She also spoke of S 1232 regarding wind-protection/Fla. Building Code which provides for removal of outdated wind-protection standards.

Rep. Pickens spoke of Constitutional Amendment Reform ? H 1723 which was approved and now goes to the November 2006 ballot. If approved by the voters, it will require that all constitutional initiatives pass by 60 % of the voters. This measure was consistently supported by more than 72% of Florida voters in several statewide polls. However, S 2200 calling for a 66% majority for amendments having a significant impact on the State budget died on the calendar.

Rep. Pat Patterson reported of the retroactive repeal of the Substitute Communications Tax ? S 2070 which repeals the state?s multi-billion dollar substitute communication tax. It was agreed that taxing a business?s internal communications was counterproductive to promoting sustained economic development and creating new jobs. Patterson also spoke of the hurricane/property insurance legislation which includes a checklist and easier to read policies. The legislature also implemented higher deductible hurricane policies.

Rep. Joyce Cusack stated this year?s budget increases education funding by 6.5% but stressed that Florida needs more money to train nurses. Cusack had some reservations about legislation that shifts Medicaid recipients into HMO programs. Cusack was glad to see Kid Care Enrollment legislation approved which allows parents to enroll their children in Florida`s subsidized health insurance program for kids throughout the year.

Rep. Dorothy Hukill spoke of Growth Management legislation which commits $1.5-billion to roads, schools and developing alternative water sources this year and $750,000 annually in the future. Hukill also reported that several tort reform measures (Class Action Suits, Joint & Several Liability, and Premises Liability) could not be agreed upon in the final days of the session.