The Florida Home Builders Association’s legislative priorities have not changed, says its president.
Mike Hickman, the Lakeland home builder who is the 2003-2004 president of the 17,000-member aassociation, spoke out as the legislative session got underway in Tallahassee.
“Our top three issues are the affordable housing trust fund, impact fees, and workers’ compensation,” said Hickman. “Several weeks ago, Governor Bush proposed to eliminate $167 million from Florida’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Now he’s gone a step further and is laying the groundwork to end guaranteed state funding for affordable housing, instead making us come back year after year to lobby lawmakers for affordable housing dollars.
“We cannot tolerate this action. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is sacred. Home ownership creates a quality lifestyle, maintains family stability, and builds financial security. There are thousands of eligible low-income Floridians, seniors and the disabled, just waiting to realize the American dream of home ownership.”
Regarding impact fees, Hickman said the FHBA will be taking a three-pronged approach to this rising tide of impact fees.
“We will, of course, address them legislatively this session,” he said. “We have created a technical assistance program for local battles, and, as always, we’re prepared to take legal action where it’s appropriate.”
Affordable and available workers’ compensation insurance remains an ongoing issue.
“We need to again address the JUA, where it’s reported there will be a 150 percent assessment of the already inflated premiums,” said Hickman. “We’re going to see yet another flurry of non-renewed members who won’t be able to find insurance from private carriers.”