by David Chapman
Staff Writer
As the state Legislature kicks off its 60-day session today in Tallahassee, the 11-member Duval Legislative Delegation is prepared to face some of the same issues as in past years.
Discussion begins with balancing a more than $70 billion state budget facing a $3.6 billion shortfall.
“It’s going to be a tough year,” said State Rep. Lake Ray. “There are going to be many challenges, starting with the budget.”
State Rep. Charles McBurney agrees on the difficulties he and his colleagues face this session, the first in several years that won’t have the benefit of federal stimulus funds to offset budget shortfalls.
“The low-hanging fruit is gone,” said McBurney of budget cuts the last two years. “Now the hard cuts have to be made.”
Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, has proposed a state budget that includes cutting spending even more while offering tax breaks.
Even with Republican majorities in both houses, several local lawmakers said they didn’t know if that is feasible this year.
Ray said such cuts might be incremental over several years while State Rep. Mike Weinstein said there would likely be compromise among the executive and legislative branches.
McBurney said there will always be natural tension between the factions, which is by design.
“There will always be bumps in the road,” he said.
In addition to the budget, issues of Medicaid, education and pensions all continue to be items members and legislative leaders across the state will seek to reform as cost-saving measures.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats in the Legislature and the Duval Delegation will work to temper such cuts.
“It’s going to be really hectic,” said State Rep. Mia Jones, a Democrat. “We’re in for some pretty severe cuts and attacks on programs that are in place for needy people.”
Jones said she’s always done her homework and worked with others on the opposite side to accomplish work, and e will do so again this year. She doesn’t expect it to be an easy session, though.
“You’re not going to see a whole lot of singing ‘Kumbaya,’”
said Jones.
Education reform in the resurrection of SB 6, as SB 736 sponsored by State Rep. Steve Wise, will again garner attention, said several of the Duval Delegation members.
Several also pointed to under-the-radar issues they’ll keep an eye on for Northeast Florida.
Ray, a longtime port advocate, said he believes some funding for the Jacksonville Port Authority and ports across Florida can be secured.
McBurney agreed, saying port funding would be a benefit for Northeast Florida and that he would support it.
Jones said she will work on several education measures she believes will help Northeast Florida, including working to change the high school dropout age from 16 to 18 as well as putting health education back into schools.
Weinstein said he will tackle property insurance issues and reining in state-run Citizen’s Insurance, Florida’s largest insurer. On the pension reform front at the state level, he said he’d also look to exempt public safety officials.
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