by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
An experienced Duval Delegation void of any political freshmen heads to Tallahassee today for a special session devoted to solving the property insurance crisis that has become a major issue over the past few years in the state of Florida thanks to numerous tropical storms and hurricanes that have caused billions of dollars in damage.
After the session, the Delegation will get a break until March, when they will head to the capital for this year’s regularly-scheduled session. Led by State Rep. and Delegation Chairman Stan Jordan, local state representatives and senators enter the session with plenty of years of experience that will be countered by a relatively inexperienced governor and cabinet. Gov. Charlie Crist officially took office a couple of weeks ago and some on his cabinet have experience at the state level. However, Crist and his staff are replacing former and two-term Gov. Jeb Bush and his staff. The Daily Record contacted the entire Delegation and asked them to respond to these four questions:
1. What do you expect to be the hot-button issues this year and why?
2. What, if anything, would you like to accomplish individually?
3. Do you expect any surprises this year? If so, of what nature?
4. Is a session any different with a new governor and entirely new cabinet? If so, how is it different?
Their responses are as follows:
State Sen. Jim King
• There is no question that the availability and affordability of property insurance along with the problem of rapidly escalating property taxes command a great deal of attention from this year’s Legislature. In addition, there will probably be attempts to broaden the slot machine issue.
• I am a co-prime sponsor of a bill that, if passed, would literally save thousands of female Floridians’ lives. It is a bill that would provide for the vaccination of female Floridians in middle school, assuming that their parents agree, to immunize them from ever getting cervical cancer. Though this legislation would seem, on the surface, to be a no brainer to pass … it will have a hefty price tag and that may be a deterrent. Additionally, the three shot vaccination also eliminates the possibilities of certain sexually transmitted diseases and I am not sure that the public will embrace the prospect for fear of it promoting promiscuity. I can’t think of much legislation that has ever had such a dynamic effect, and I only hope that I can pass it.
• The new governor in the governor’s position is an unread novel for the Legislature, and who knows what agenda, surprise or not, he will bring. Additionally, there is a whole new administration – all new secretaries, all new administrators – it would not be unusual for some of those appointments to fail, perhaps badly.
• Right now, all of us are testing the waters with each other. We have no idea what to expect from some of the new appointments and the new cabinet. This first session under the new governor and new administration, therefore, may go more slowly and carefully than many would have thought. This situation occurs every time there is a governor change. Remember, for eight years we worked under the direction and urging of (former Gov.) Jeb Bush. I think it is obvious that Gov. Crist is going to be much different so it will take some getting used to.
State Rep. Jennifer Carroll
• Homeowners insurance will be the hot button issue. Citizens are uncertain as to how much of an increase they will realize for homeowners insurance. Homeowner’s confidence in government to make things better is not very high. The measure we may pass in special session will not bring about immediate relief or immediate reduced rates and citizens need to be conscious of this fact. There may be more policies that the legislature will need to address in regular session to bring about sound insurance policy that will insure rate reduction and sensible market prices in the future.
• Create a better model for Black Business Enterprise in the state of Florida. The old BBIB/BBIC was not properly funded, monitored, measured, or directed; therefore missed opportunities for true Black business growth in the state were not realized in over 20 years of the board and corporation’s existence.
• I do not think we will see much surprises this session. If a surprise occurs I feel that it will come from Federal regulations. If the Federal government passes an increased minimum wage, this may have an unexpected impact on Florida’s businesses and consumers. Also if the Federal Government passes the Fair Tax bill, this will have rippling effect on the process of revenue allocation.
• Yes, I feel this session will be different. The members are unaware of what the governor will veto and what his direction may be. There were many valid member projects that were vetoed under the previous governor. Under this new governor, since he once walked in our shoes he may have a different view on funding member projects.
The cabinet having a different make up may produce more questions of the administration and more ideas may be challenged.
Rep. Dick Kravitz
• Insurance reform and rates, wind storm and Citizens Insurance Company (will be the hot-button issues).
• Both of these areas are major issues for the new governor and he will try to get both the House and the Senate to back his positions. It will be a major test of his will and political might with the legislative branch. (On an individual basis, I will) Continue to pass anti-child predator bills as well as victims rights bills and press to shift a great deal of the regulatory power from the DCA to the regional planning councils on issues of growth management, concurrency and land use.
• I always expect surprises. It is part of the political process. I will try to be ready for them.
• I expect the session to be different, more so with a new governor than a new cabinet. There will be a “feeling out phase” that will hopefully blossom into a good working relationship with the executive branch, but people should never expect us to agree or be in lock step with the executive branch. This is a check and balance system and I intend to keep it that way.
State Rep. Stan Jordan
• Class size compliance, property insurance and property taxes (will be the hot-button issues).
• Jordan referenced the only J-Bill filed this year. He is sponsoring a bill that would amend the way the City of Jacksonville’s General Counsel is appointed. Currently, the General Counsel is appointed by the mayor. Under Jordan’s bill, a committee would be formed that would create a list of nominees. The bill was defeated through resolution by the Jacksonville City Council. If passed by the State Legislature, it would not affect the current General Counsel, Rick Mullaney. (According to Jordan, he also has three additional bills in development.)
• No.
• No.
State Sen. Tony Hill and State Reps. Stephen Wise, Aaron Bean, Don Davis, Terry Fields, Audrey Gibson and Mark Mahon did not respond.