from staff
The 60-day 2011 Legislative session began March 8. Rep. Mike Weinstein, a Republican representing House District 19, is a member of the Duval Legislative Delegation. Weinstein, a prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office, was elected to the House in 2008 and subsequently re-elected. The Daily Record will feature legislators during the session.
What is the biggest issue facing Northeast Florida this session?
Properly prioritizing our state budget. Florida’s Constitution requires the Legislature to produce a balanced annual budget. With reduced revenues, producing Florida’s balanced budget will be challenging.
What will your role be in resolving it?
I will be working to properly and adequately fund public safety and education. After adequately funding these two top priorities, we can work on what is left for the state to fund.
What bill are you sponsoring or supporting that you consider most significant?
House Bill 565. House Bill 565 requires a study to be conducted to determine what is the level of funding necessary to meet the Florida Constitution’s requirements for a “uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools” (Article IX Section 1). This language appears in our Constitution, but I do not believe we have ever attempted to figure out how much is needed to meet these requirements.
Do you have support for it?
Not here within the Legislature. Florida’s 67 school boards are the biggest employers in our counties but have no idea from year to year what their budgets will be. There is no real chance for long-range planning when you are in crisis mode every year.
What’s the hottest legislative issue this week?
Balancing the budget and union issues.