A delegation of NEFBA’s president, past presidents, executive committee members, board members and staff members attended the Florida Home Builders Association Spring Legislative Conference in Tallahassee on April 7-8.
The NEFBA group included President Daniel Blanchard, First Vice President Rick Morales, Second Vice President Harlan Bost, Treasurer/Secretary Chet Skinner; past Presidents Greg Matovina (2004), Jerry Linder (2006) and Michael Bourré (2011); board members Lee Arsenault, Tim Atkinson and Michael O’Steen; Executive Officer Corey Deal; and Government Affairs Director Jessie Spradley.
The group met with local legislators, attended legislative briefings and participated in FHBA meetings. The NEFBA contingent emphasized the need to fully fund the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a measure in the Senate budget but not in the House budget. The William E. Sadowski Act of 1992 created a dedicated source of revenue for housing from a portion of documentary stamp taxes on the transfer of real estate.
The group met with Florida Sens. Rob Bradley, Audrey Gibson, Aaron Bean and John Thrasher and Reps. Travis Hutson, Lake Ray, Charles Van Zant, Janet Atkins, Doc Renuart, Mia Jones, Reggie Fullwood and Daniel Davis (former NEFBA executive director).
NEFBA members also discussed water quality and quantity issues facing Florida and responsible ways to manage and protect our water resources.
For more information about the trip or the issues, contact NEFBA Government Affairs Director Jessie Spradley, [email protected].