Hold on to your wallet, FL Legislature extends session until May 8th

Still struggling with trying to come up with a budget, the legislature is sticking around another week to see what they can accomplish. Passing a budget is the only thing that they must do in 60 days. But, alas, 60 days was not enough.

I found this on that Sayfire site - sounds like they've been getting a lot of work done, just not the budget.

That work included passing and sending Gov. Charlie Crist 227 bills out of 853 filed in the House and 1,286 in the Senate.

Some bills that made it to the governor's desk are being touted as potentially lifesaving measures.

One would authorize the Department of Health to track prescription drugs dispensed by pharmacies and clinics to crack down on abuse that's claimed thousands of lives. Another would let police pull over drivers solely for failing to buckle their seat belts. Current law permits officers to issue seat belt citations only in connection with other violations.

More than 1 million customers of the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Co., now Florida's largest homeowner insurer, can expect to see average annual premium increases of 10 percent under a bill designed to shore up its shaky financial footing.

Each of the 11 state universities would be able to raise tuition, now among the nation's lowest, by up to 15 percent annually including systemwide increases ordered by the Legislature due to passage of a bill endorsed by Crist although he hasn't yet signed it. The governor, business leaders and university officials say tuition must go up to maintain and improve the schools' quality and access.

Besides bills, the Legislature voted to put three proposed state constitutional amendments on the 2010 ballot out of 30 filed in the Senate and 16 in the House.

One is a property tax relief measure Crist pushed for. It would reduce a cap on annual assessment increases for properties other than primary homes, which already have a lower limit, and offer an additional exemption to new homeowners who haven't owned a house for at least eight years.

The other amendments would provide an extra property tax break to military personnel serving overseas and repeal public financing of election campaigns for governor and state Cabinet posts.

While Crist scored a final day victory with passage of the property tax amendment, lawmakers rejected two of his climate change initiatives. One would have required power companies to generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources including nuclear, solar and wind by 2020. The other would have adopted California's stiffer emission standards for new cars sold in the state.

The class size amendment voters put in the Florida Constitution in 2002 survived another challenge from opponents, including school officials and most Republican lawmakers, who say it's too expensive and diverts money from other education needs.

A ballot proposal that would have loosened the limits, which range from 18 to 25 students per class depending on grade level, passed in the House but failed to get a Senate vote.

A late push by business and oil interests to open Florida waters as close as three miles from the beach to offshore drilling also sputtered when the Senate refused to consider a House-passed bill.

TBO.com - Florida News From AP

An even bigger list -

TBO.com - Florida News From AP

We sure do seem to get stuff done around here. 😀 Too bad the federal government isn't this efficient.

However the anti-bestiality bill one more failed after not making it out of committee on the House side. I think the sheep and goats need a better lobbyist.

C'mon people, Baaa Means No already.

Interesting that all of our libertarians are excited about a law that allows the government to track your prescriptions. God knows they've never used information to do bad things. :roll: Followed by a law that expands law enforcement powers to pull you over. What if I have a black shirt on and the officer thinks I don't have a seat belt on? We let motorcyclists choose not to wear a helmet. :idontno: The rest seems to be tax cuts that should cause even more problems next year.

Thanks to Charlie and the Legislature for stripping that paddle out of hands before we head north up sh!ts creek.

However the anti-bestiality bill one more failed after not making it out of committee on the House side. I think the sheep and goats need a better lobbyist.

C'mon people, Baaa Means No already.

Say it with a shirt:

T-Shirt Hell :: Shirts :: BAAAAAA MEANS NOOOOO

Interesting that all of our libertarians are excited about a law that allows the government to track your prescriptions. God knows they've never used information to do bad things. :roll: Followed by a law that expands law enforcement powers to pull you over. What if I have a black shirt on and the officer thinks I don't have a seat belt on? We let motorcyclists choose not to wear a helmet. :idontno: The rest seems to be tax cuts that should cause even more problems next year.

Thanks to Charlie and the Legislature for stripping that paddle out of hands before we head north up sh!ts creek.

I don't agree with everything that got passed or shot down, but I like the fact that they are getting things done. For example I wasn't a fan of the recent sin tax increases, and I'm not a fan of the DNA thing for people who are not convicted which I see as a rights violation. I like the tuition increase approval, the voucher strengthening, the property tax amendment, and the fact that Mr. Charlie's green emmissions crap didn't get passed. Generally it seems we have a good balance.

Interesting that all of our libertarians are excited about a law that allows the government to track your prescriptions. God knows they've never used information to do bad things. :roll: Followed by a law that expands law enforcement powers to pull you over. What if I have a black shirt on and the officer thinks I don't have a seat belt on? We let motorcyclists choose not to wear a helmet. :idontno: The rest seems to be tax cuts that should cause even more problems next year.

Thanks to Charlie and the Legislature for stripping that paddle out of hands before we head north up sh!ts creek.

But he is still a nice guy so we need to www.keepcharliecrist.com. Come on, sign the petition.



Quite a few times it is hard to reconcile newly passed legislation against previous actions. I guess it really does matter who has the best lobbyist.

But he is still a nice guy so we need to www.keepcharliecrist.com. Come on, sign the petition.



Quite a few times it is hard to reconcile newly passed legislation against previous actions. I guess it really does matter who has the best lobbyist.

You know what they say, nice guys finish last.

This was interesting

Miami - Riptide 2.0 - Conservatives Want To Keep Crist's Influence Limited to Florida

Conservatives Want To Keep Crist's Influence Limited to Florida

By Kyle Munzenrieder in Politicks
Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 3:01PM
In politics nothing is ever guaranteed, but lets be honest the conventional wisdom is that come November 2010 Charlie Crist will be attending his electoral victory party. The only question is whether he'll be popping the champaign for a re-election to the Governor's mansion or a Senate victory.

A group of solidly conservative Republicans would much rather keep him in Tallahassee it seems, as they've put up a petition website called "Keep Charlie Crist."


The Buzz speculates that the people behind the petition may have a slight Anti-Crist bent. Charlie was never a famous of the hard core righties. If he stays on as Governor he'd only stay be in Tallahassee for four more years, and once he's gone there may not be a Senate vacancy. Even if there was, he might not be as popular as he is now. Whereas if he runs for Senate he could conceivably stay there, pulling the Republican party and their national ideology to the center, for years.


Of course, if Charlie doesn't run for Senate the chances of a Democrat winning the seat go up immensely.

If you're really interested, there is a program on the NPR station out of Panama City every day which reports what happened in the legislature that day - it's called "Capitol Report" and it is on at 5:30 daily when the legislature is in session. I can listen while I make dinner or work around the house, and it's a painless way to keep up. I can't believe some of the things I hear that never seem to make it to the "mainstream" news, and how shallow the coverage is when the mainstream news reports on these issues.

There is also a daily update on the public television station, at 7 pm, if you're more the visual type.

State government is a very hands on thing, folks. I contacted our local house rep about the drilling issue, and she responded immediately, and very frankly - not like the canned responses I get from our US Senators. It's important to stay informed; while we may get heated up about the federal government, the state government has a lot more influence on our day-to-day lives.

This was interesting

Miami - Riptide 2.0 - Conservatives Want To Keep Crist's Influence Limited to Florida

Conservatives Want To Keep Crist's Influence Limited to Florida

By Kyle Munzenrieder in Politicks
Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 3:01PM
In politics nothing is ever guaranteed, but lets be honest the conventional wisdom is that come November 2010 Charlie Crist will be attending his electoral victory party. The only question is whether he'll be popping the champaign for a re-election to the Governor's mansion or a Senate victory.

A group of solidly conservative Republicans would much rather keep him in Tallahassee it seems, as they've put up a petition website called "Keep Charlie Crist."


The Buzz speculates that the people behind the petition may have a slight Anti-Crist bent. Charlie was never a famous of the hard core righties. If he stays on as Governor he'd only stay be in Tallahassee for four more years, and once he's gone there may not be a Senate vacancy. Even if there was, he might not be as popular as he is now. Whereas if he runs for Senate he could conceivably stay there, pulling the Republican party and their national ideology to the center, for years.


Of course, if Charlie doesn't run for Senate the chances of a Democrat winning the seat go up immensely.

Arggghhhh!!! Our secret underground conspiracy has been discovered.

I'd vote for Charlie for Senate, if it would get him out of the State.

I'd vote for Charlie for Senate, if it would get him out of the State.

That is being short sighted though. If he gets back in as Governor he only has four more years. If he gets in as Senator, it is a lifetime. You can not pry those guys out, just look at Specter.

Robert
Now now, first I don't think he gets elected, but wouldn't he have to resign to run for Senate. Also I read the same stuff and saw the exact same quote elsewhere. I also read the Florida Republican party Chairman may have designs on the seat and that he and Gov. Crist are tight. Whatever the case, Marco has issues in his background much like Sansoms and I don't think it will fly with anyone. You may see a Democrat get the seat.

Robert
Now now, first I don't think he gets elected, but wouldn't he have to resign to run for Senate. Also I read the same stuff and saw the exact same quote elsewhere. I also read the Florida Republican party Chairman may have designs on the seat and that he and Gov. Crist are tight. Whatever the case, Marco has issues in his background much like Sansoms and I don't think it will fly with anyone. You may see a Democrat get the seat.

That's why they are nervous. ;-)

Robert
Now now, first I don't think he gets elected, but wouldn't he have to resign to run for Senate. Also I read the same stuff and saw the exact same quote elsewhere. I also read the Florida Republican party Chairman may have designs on the seat and that he and Gov. Crist are tight. Whatever the case, Marco has issues in his background much like Sansoms and I don't think it will fly with anyone. You may see a Democrat get the seat.

Current changes that Greer and Crist got put through do not force him to resign to run. That was done in case he was picked as VP. Greer is tight with Crist, the only reason Greer has his job and keeps it is due to Crist.

Marco does have his problems. I do not like the fact that he removed Don Brown from the insurance committee in the legislature when it has turned out Brown and one other legislator were the ones that got it right. Removing a guy from leadership for standing up for his principles does not sit well with me. But electing Crist or a democrat, six one way, half a dozen the other. So I got to find someone else to put signs in the median for this fall.

They still got some local projects in.

From the Times--Marc Caputo

$600,000 for a UF student dental clinic. A priority of House Speaker Larry Cretul, it became a flashpoint when Miami Republican Rep. Juan Zapata tried to strike it from the budget, only to be over-ruled.



$1.7 million to help Marissa Amora who was horridly abused. This is a priority of Senate President Jeff Atwater, who successfully carried her claims bill last year.


$760,00 to help Kimberly Godwin, who was also horridly abused. This is a priority of former Senate President Ken Pruitt.


$6.7 million for the Prodigy program for troubled kids. The chairman of the Senate's criminal justice budget committee, Victor Crist, sits on the nonprofit's board.


$500,000 for charter schools in Lake Wales, home of Republican Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander.



$5 million extra for the University of South Florida?s expansion in Lakeland in Alexander?s home county of Polk.


$1,298 to help move the Department of Citrus from Lakeland to Bartow.


$250,000 for the FIU Democracy Conference at the behest of Miami Republican Rep. David Rivera, a House budget chief. Rivera, however, backed off special budget language limiting Cuba travel and stem-cell research.


$11 million more for FIU to complete a medical school, another issue championed by Rivera and (likely) Miami Republican Rep. Anitere Flores. They?ll face each other in a Senate race that also features the other House budget chief Marcelo Llorente, who helped back Jackson Memorial?s call to bank surplus hospital cash.


The FIU Democracy Conference spending appears in a line item with the CAMACOL (Cuban American Chamber of Commerce) film initiative ($150k); and a Small Business Development Center Network ($250k). They?re listed below the Florida Association of Volunteer Action/Caribbean & Americas ($300k); Southeast US/Japan & FLOR/KOR and Gateway Florida ($250k each).
Rep. David Rivera said CAMACOL and the FIU Democracy Conference have both been funded in past years. (It appears yes on Camacol, but we couldn?t find the Democracy Conference in either FY 09 or 08 budgets)


"A member project is something that hasn't been funded before," Rivera said. He said he and Gov. Charlie Crist have both been keynote speakers at past conferences, as part of an ongoing effort to establish Miami as the capital of the Americas.


Besides, how can a project be a turkey if The Miami Herald is involved in it? Rivera's office produced a letter signed by Herald publisher David Landsberg, dated April 22, offering to enter into a five-year partnership for the Americas Conference.
Asked about his spending items, Alexander is quick and calm to point out that everything has been discussed in public meetings or been placed on public agendas.
?It went through the Ways and Means Committee, it went through the full Senate.?
While the above list is cursory at best, it certainly shows that membership still has its privileges. A few odds and ends caught our eye in the 408 pages of the $66.5b plan:


$400,000 to "prevent, combat, and publicize the dangers of unlicensed real estate activity in Florida." Indeed, "publicize" might be the key word here.


$2 million to make a task force that will "develop legislative recommendations relating to stormwater management system design in the state." In poll after poll, constituents have been screaming about stormwater management system design. Tallahassee hears your cries.


$100,000 for racing animal medical research. But they didn't have time to ban bestiality? (Someone needs to tell Miami's NBC news that they got their story wrong on this).


$706,000 for a hospitality education program. This is provided for in a DBPR catch-all bill that also adds new regulatory language for talent agencies and mediates an interior-designer dispute over office-cubicle installation (an issue that was just solved in conference). But they didn't have time to ban bestiality?


$2 million for nicotine patches. Considering that the state is raising cig taxes to get more revenue, do we want to pay to have fewer smokers?


$1.1 million for a compulsive gambling-treatment program. This line item is a few below the proviso that directs legislative analysts to figure the best "return on investments" for advertising the lottery. So we entice people to gamble and then have to pay for compulsive gambling treatment?


$13.4 million to build an ammunition storage facility, "ambush live fire" and machine-gun range at Camp Blanding in Starke. As if the prison and execution chamber in town didn't make Starke scary enough.
-- Marc Caputo

I'd like to know how many people are affected by unlicensed Realtors? :roll: I would think you would really have to find someone without a real estate license. Lord knows you can walk into any restaurant or bar in Walton County and run into at least one.

I'd like to know how many people are affected by unlicensed Realtors? :roll: I would think you would really have to find someone without a real estate license. Lord knows you can walk into any restaurant or bar in Walton County and run into at least one.

Keeping in mind that the Florida Board of Realtors gives hundreds of thousands to the RPOF every year, then maybe you can understand why enforcement and education is a top priority in Florida.

I wonder if anyone would notice if I switched to Independent. I am getting so tired of these guys.