Laura Boehmer (Southern Strategy Group) and Shawn Foster (Sunrise Consulting Group) represent Hernando County interests in Tallahassee. The Florida legislature met in January and February this year. In the report to the BOCC on May 10th, Foster stated that of the 2100 bills filed, only 172 passed. The largest bill (S.B. 1322) was sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala of Pinellas County and concerned cost-sharing payments to DJJ for Juvenile Detention Centers.
Other bills that will have impacts in Hernando County include a bill amended in committee regarding relocation of utilities and the responsibility of local governments. It also addressed placement of communication structures along rights-of-way. A behavioral health bill was approved, designed to “enhance coordination of programs and services to persons with behavioral health and issues and increase their supportive housing”.
Foster noted bills that did not pass and some that died in committee. One that did pass, Boehmer stated, was Ritch Workman’s H.B. 7071, an Anti-Corruption Bill aimed at local government. The Comprehensive Ethics Bill redefined how bribery is described by the terms “knowingly and intentionally”. Contractors will also become eligible for prosecution for tampering with the bidding process.
The budget process was different this year from previous years. While the governor has cut the budget before, and last year vetoed a “substantial” amount of projects, this year more than $256 million of projects were vetoed, including the water project that was proposed for Hernando County. With only $80 million available for water projects, approvals for all counties across the state are limited.
Boehmer and Foster believe they know why the governor might veto an item and state they will work to ensure all the criteria (job creation, return on investment for the State, regional impact) are met. They intend to look into where the money is – airport, economic development, and try again for a water project.
Boehmer and Foster stated previously they had been successful in obtaining approval for projects for the county, including $3 million for the Nature Coast Education Plaza. This year legislators were not as interested in sponsoring projects. The team plans to begin meeting with delegates well before the next legislative session begins (March 2017) to advocate for Hernando County projects.
Boehmer reminded the BOCC of the German skills initiative, AMskills (www.amskills.org), a partnership between Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando County and the German embassy’s skills initiative. The apprenticeship program is a joint effort between local government, education, and the manufacturing industry. This received $300,000 of the $500,000 requested. Two improvements to Anderson Snow Park valued at $50,000 each were also approved.
Foster stated he would like to meet with the BOCC and their team to come up with a list of four or five items that they really want to see approved. Boehmer commended the BOCC’s relationship with FDOT, stating that could be a source for funding as well as there may be money available which would not need to be a line item in the budget for the governor to veto. She stated that in the next two years there would likely be a lot of projects in the Transportation Economic Development (TED) budget.
Foster discussed the request for money for Hunters Lake, which was vetoed, and Foster stated they were not able to get a specific reason for the veto as there were similar projects which were approved. Nicholson, who sits on the Hernando Waterways Restoration Council, stated that for ten years the council has tried to get the State to approve funds for various projects, and have received “not a penny.” SWFWMD is funding projects for cleaning the waterways, and Weeki Wachee is on the list. State Senator Wilton Simpson will be holding a workshop on this in response to citizen requests.
Both Foster and Boehmer stated the process for submitting items for budget consideration has changed and the application now includes questionnaires and attachments showing return on investment for the governor’s office. Foster commended the county staff for responding to requests quickly and looks forward to working with them again next year, when they meet with legislators and hope to gain approval for funding for Hernando County’s needs.