The 2009 Legislative session started March 3 and the state’s delegates went to Tallahassee with their plates extremely full. Locally, the Duval Delegation is battling for education and infrastructure funding. With nearly four weeks of the 60-day session in the books, Daily Record staff writer David Chapman spent the day in Tallahassee Wednesday meeting with several members of the Duval Delegation.
State Sen. Jim King
For 24 years, State Sen. Jim King has served in various positions within the Florida legislature — but none of the prior sessions compare to this year’s. And unfortunately, that’s not a compliment. “I’ve never been in a session potentially as horrible as this,” said King. “Just like the rest of the nation, we’re out of money.” But King does see reason for optimism: “The good news, as a state we have an excellent reputation and means to get out of this,” he said. While his days during legislature are long — generally he’s up by 6 a.m. and home around 10 p.m. — it’s the frenetic pace he has come to love while “living the dream.” His priorities during the second half of session will include focusing on education and Medicaid related issues. “What is going on in education is extremely important,” he said, before noting the need to safeguard future generations today.
State Rep. and Duval Delegation Chair Jennifer Carroll
“So far it’s going well,” said State Rep. and Duval Delegation Chair Jennifer Carroll, reflecting on the first half of legislative session. As the focus shifts from learning and workshops to the budget, Carroll said she is doing what she can to open up policies to encourage business growth. “We’ve got to think outside the box and now is a good time,” she said, “and one of the ways to improve our economy is through opening up opportunities for business.” Education and health care are two of the biggest issues the legislature is facing, she noted, but cuts in any area due to budget shortfall won’t be easy. “If you put everyone in the same room and asked who wanted their area to be cut, I don’t think you’d see too many hands being raised,” she said. As for how the Duval Delegation is faring, Carroll couldn’t be happier. “We’re doing great,” she said. “We’re such a tight-knit group working together that I believe we’re the envy of other delegations … we’re working our hardest for the best interests of Northeast Florida.”
State Rep. Doc Renuart
Some days the roads members of the Duval Delegation travel are longer than others. For State Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart and his aide, Tamara Young, Tuesday and Wednesday were just one. The two had a full slate of meetings and appointments Tuesday, then drove to Jacksonville to make a 6 p.m. dinner in Ponte Vedra and made the return trip back to Tallahassee in time for early morning committee meetings. “It was a long day but not bad,” said a smiling Renuart. They probably won’t all be that long in the future, but Renuart is working on several different bills including ones regarding care and funding for children with Cystic Fibrosis in schools; expanding Medicaid coverage in children; and one to rename State Road 9A to the “Ronald W. Reagen Memorial Highway.” The second half of session will be difficult, he said, due to the looming state budget, but feels Northeast Florida constituents are being greatly represented.
State Rep. Mike Weinstein
State Rep. Mike Weinstein chose his words carefully when asked about the first few weeks of session, but settled on one that other representatives echoed. “Hectic,” he said. “It’s a long process.” Weinstein said that State House members could have as many as 900 bills filed for review but only 200-300 could end up being looked at. “Most times its fantastic if two (of individual House members bills) go through,” he said. Fortunately for him, one of those was his. Though it took a couple hours of wait, Weinstein had his bill regarding the Police and Fire Pension Fund ability to increase its investment into real estate increased to 20 percent unanimously approved by the House’s Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council on Wednesday morning. “The process in Tallahassee is very different from that in Jacksonville with (City) Council,” he said. “We’re all (Duval Delegation) working together as best we can in these difficult times.”
State Rep. Tony Hill
State Rep. Tony Hill had one of his bills, SB 2248 regarding tax exemption for certain public/private transportation facilities, move forward after being approved by the Senate’s Transportation Committee Wednesday morning, but moving forward he has another issue he’s going to tackle: unemployment and assistance eligibility. “It’s a big issue,” said Hill. “So many people are out of work.” Jobless benefits and their requirements are being debated between U.S. and State representatives, with more than $1 billion stimulus dollars on the line that could go toward unemployment benefits.
State Rep. Audrey Gibson
State Rep. Audrey Gibson keeps smiling and laughing even during what’s being called one of the worst sessions legislators are facing. “I enjoy what I do tremendously and I care about the people,” she said. “If I walk around looking down, it’s going to cause those around me to look down.” Even with a happy face, though, she knows the uphill battle that is this session. Gibson admits she isn’t really a morning person, but her days often begin earlier than 8 a.m. and ends later than 9:30 p.m., when she oftentimes makes it home. “I have homework,” she said, regarding the various stacks of bills she has to review before sitting in on committees. “Every night.”
Her advice to constituents in Northeast Florida is twofold. “Keep the faith,” she began, before adding: “Watch how people vote. It’s important for people to know who votes how when the issue comes at hand.”