Legislative Delegation Conducts "Town Hall" Q & A at Chamber’s First Friday Breakfast

By Sid Riley
Good exchange of communication between membership and representatives in Tallahassee on eve of new session.

At last Friday’s "First Friday" meeting of the membership of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, our legislative delegation participated in a meaningful, open dialogue with those in attendance. Senator Al Lawson, Representative Marti Coley, and Representative Brad Drake sat at a front table and fielded a variety of questions from the floor.
Some of the questions and responses are listed below:
♦ Can anything be done to reduce the financial burden the class size amendment implementation is causing school systems? Especially hard hit are the smaller schools.
Coley Response: Schools are my area of special interest. Since this is a requirement forced into place by a constitutional amendment, it has to be followed. However, we are slowing the pace of implementation, and the DOE is taking a soft approach on application of penalties until this funding crisis is over.
♦ What about the withdrawal of State Farm from the property insurance market in Florida, and the under funding of the CAT insurance fund?
Lawson Response: This situation is still in a stage of negotiation. State Farm initially asked for a rate increase of 40% or more, and this was denied. We are hopeful that within the next few days a compromise rate increase can be negotiated which satisfies their immediate needs and is reasonable in the burden it presents to property owners.
♦ How do you feel about Governor Crist pushing for legislation to install the tough emission standards used in California on our state, when we do not have mountains which create stagnant areas over our cities? It will raise the cost of gasoline over twenty cents per gallon and will increase the cost of automobile purchases.
Drake Response: I believe in preserving our environment as much as possible. However this must be approached on a sensible basis. I am against copying standards used in California which do not necessarily fit the needs and situation here in Florida.
♦ What can be done to help State employees cover the rising cost of Blue Cross health insurance premiums…when we haven’t received a pay raise for several years?
Lawson Response: I am aware of the growing problem of paying for health insurance among state employees. I pledge to work as hard as possible to get state employees a raise.
♦ The Florida Public Service Commission is failing in its mission to protect the consumer from abusive treatment by monopolistic utilities. It has become a political pawn of the utilities who donate heavily to the political parties who then appoint the selection committee members for the Commission. What can be done to correct this situation
At last Friday’s "First Friday" meeting of the membership of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, our legislative delegation participated in a meaningful, open dialogue with those in attendance. Senator Al Lawson, Representative Marti Coley, and Representative Brad Drake sat at a front table and fielded a variety of questions from the floor.
Some of the questions and responses are listed below:
♦ Can anything be done to reduce the financial burden the class size amendment implementation is causing school systems? Especially hard hit are the smaller schools.
Coley Response: Schools are my area of special interest. Since this is a requirement forced into place by a constitutional amendment, it has to be followed. However, we are slowing the pace of implementation, and the DOE is taking a soft approach on application of penalties until this funding crisis is over.
♦ What about the withdrawal of State Farm from the property insurance market in Florida, and the under funding of the CAT insurance fund?
Lawson Response: This situation is still in a stage of negotiation. State Farm initially asked for a rate increase of 40% or more, and this was denied. We are hopeful that within the next few days a compromise rate increase can be negotiated which satisfies their immediate needs and is reasonable in the burden it presents to property owners.
♦ How do you feel about Governor Crist pushing for legislation to install the tough emission standards used in California on our state, when we do not have mountains which create stagnant areas over our cities? It will raise the cost of gasoline over twenty cents per gallon and will increase the cost of automobile purchases.
Drake Response: I believe in preserving our environment as much as possible. However this must be approached on a sensible basis. I am against copying standards used in California which do not necessarily fit the needs and situation here in Florida.
♦ What can be done to help State employees cover the rising cost of Blue Cross health insurance premiums…when we haven’t received a pay raise for several years?
Lawson Response: I am aware of the growing problem of paying for health insurance among state employees. I pledge to work as hard as possible to get state employees a raise.
♦ The Florida Public Service Commission is failing in its mission to protect the consumer from abusive treatment by monopolistic utilities. It has become a political pawn of the utilities who donate heavily to the political parties who then appoint the selection committee members for the Commission. What can be done to correct this situation?
Lawson Response: Probably the only steps which could be taken to change this situation would be to return to the process of electing the members of the Commission instead of appointing them.
Representatives Coley and Drake both had to leave around 9:30 due to other commitments, but after a break, Senator Lawson was gracious enough to continue his interchange with the audience until eleven o’clock. The entire morning event was a unique opportunity for a public discourse with those who will be making decisions on our behalf at the legislative session which is about to begin.
Lawson Response: Probably the only steps which could be taken to change this situation would be to return to the process of electing the members of the Commission instead of appointing them.
Representatives Coley and Drake both had to leave around 9:30 due to other commitments, but after a break, Senator Lawson was gracious enough to continue his interchange with the audience until eleven o’clock. The entire morning event was a unique opportunity for a public discourse with those who will be making decisions on our behalf at the legislative session which is about to begin.