Spring Legislative Update


Legislative Update Phil Leary, AICP


As you read this article the Florida


Legislature will be approaching the midpoint of the 2016 Session. This year’s session started off in a com- pletely different climate than it ended in 2015.


In the first week of session,


major legislation was voted on as Senate President Andy Gardiner, and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli passed


their respective priority bills. President Gardiner passed legislation that was very personal to him, as


he has a son with autism, which helps people with developmental disa- bilities while Speaker Crisafulli passed a comprehensive water resource policy bill. Both of the bills have been in the works for a over two years and were signed into law by the Governor on Thursday January 20th. As for this year’s state budget, in an unexpected development


than originally


traditional public schools — for capital projects. Scott wants to give equal funding to both charter schools and traditional public schools, which charter school proponents are advocating for. But teachers and school board representatives argue that traditional public schools ought to get a boost in funding to make up for recent years when they received very little, if anything, compared to charter schools. The environment: One of the first bills passing this session and being


signed into law this year, the omnibus water resources bill, establishes new standards to protect springs and water quality is expected to get approval by both chambers. Environmentalists and lawmakers continue to clash over whether the state should purchase more land to protect water resources, but there is apparent agreement to set aside $32 million to clean-up the Everglades. And finally for Fairs, the premium monies that were vetoed by the


Governor in last year’s budget are back in the Department of Agriculture Budget under a new line item; “Education, Marketing and Promotions”. Please continue to reach out to your legislators and the Governor and make them aware of the importance of this funding.


that


came to light in week two, state budget forecasters announced that Flori- da could have nearly $400 million less for its budget


expected and there is a possibility of additional adverse international economic developments that could cause a greater than normal degree of risk. Legislative leadership said that the financial turbulence will


make them more cautious about committing money this year. Leg- islative leaders have said they want to make sure we appropriate money so that we are living within our means. This could mean legislators will have less money to spend on programs and projects. The following are the major issues now moving through the legis- lative process: Tax cuts: There is little doubt that the Republican-led Legisla-


ture will pass new tax cuts in this election year. The question is: How far will they go? Gov. Rick Scott has proposed more than $1 billion in cuts that target businesses, but lawmakers are already suggesting they cannot afford that much and are looking for more broad-based cuts that more voters would feel directly. Tax breaks on back-to-school shopping and on college textbooks are two pop- ular cuts that could be part of a final package. Health care: Lawmakers are likely to spar over hospital licens-


ing and the expansion of surgery centers, key priorities for House Republicans that Senate President Andy Gardiner has made clear aren't on his chamber's agenda. Medicaid expansion won't be on anyone's agenda, but the pot of Medicaid money at the center of last year's budget breakdown — the Low Income Pool — will make an encore appearance as the Legislature grapples with how to help fund hospitals that could lose a $400 million source of fund- ing.


Seminole gambling compact: While it is unlikely the Legisla-


ture will wholly endorse a new $3 billion gaming agreement Scott signed with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, lawmakers should begin creating the framework for a deal. Specifically, lawmakers will explore whether to allow craps and roulette to be offered at Semi- nole-run casinos for should be


the first time, whether new slots casinos allowed in South Florida and what, if anything, should


be done to help horse racing, dog racing and other pari-mutuel businesses that could be at a competitive disadvantage if gambling options expand. Education: School choice will continue to be a dominant theme


in education policy. Charter schools remain controversial, particu- larly when it comes to how much funding they receive — versus


38 FAIRCRACKER-SPRING 2016


Philip L. Leary, AICP Fairs Lobbyist


pleary@LearyGAC.com www.LearyGAC.com


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