Builders Block June/July 2009 : Page 1
The Official publicaTiOn Of The charlOTTe-DesOTO builDing inDusTry assOciaTiOn insiDe July 9 Charlotte Harbor Challenge and Ultimate Rib Fest Committee meeting July 16 Sales and Marketing Council Lunch Meeting July 17 Home Safety and Concealed Weapons course July 28 Associates and Trades Committee July 24 BIOC July 30 to Aug. 2 SEBC Aug. 4 GMM Rep. Gary Aubuchon (left) presents Charlotte County Commission Chairman Tricia Duffy a check for $2 million – affordable housing funds the County earned under Aubuchon’s impact fee bill as a result of the County’s fee rollback. LEVEL ONE Ruling Favors No-Growth Initiative The Florida Supreme Court issued a ® home water systems LEVEL TWO • $1,000 (FOUR AVAILABLE) ruling last month that clarifies the status of the most controversial ballot initiative in Florida history. The decision — which came as no surprise to most observers — upheld a lower court ruling that pre- vented petition-signers from revoking their signatures. That means the political action committee calling itself “Hometown Democracy,” which has collected virtually all of its petitions using paid gatherers, will not have to worry about losing any recent signatures to revocation. “We are not surprised by the court’s LEVEL THREE • $750 (10 AVAILABLE) Call (941) 625-0804 or click here for more about Sponsorship Opportunities. ruling, but we had naturally hoped for a different outcome,” said Ryan Houck, ex- ecutive director for Floridians for Smarter Growth, the statewide campaign against Hometown Democracy. “While we’re dis- appointed with the decision, we are even more disappointed that Florida Hometown Please See GRowTh, Page . Governmental Affairs Report By Suzanne T. Graham, Chair Governmental Affairs Committee During the last few weeks of this year’s legislative session, I sat in my office watching live stream videos of either the House or the Senate - some- times both simulta- neously — actually there were even times when I had our local county commission meetings on as well — I think I have become addicted to government! I wanted a better understanding of how the House and the Senate work. There were a lot moments when I thought — you could not pay me enough to Please See RePoRT, Page . June/July 2009
Ruling Favors No-Growth Initiative
The Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling last month that clarifies the status of the most controversial ballot initiative in Florida history. The decision — which came as no surprise to most observers — upheld a lower court ruling that prevented petition-signers from revoking their signatures. That means the political action committee calling itself “Hometown Democracy,” which has collected virtually all of its petitions using paid gatherers, will not have to worry about losing any recent signatures to revocation.
“We are not surprised by the court’s ruling, but we had naturally hoped for a different outcome,” said Ryan Houck, executive director for Floridians for Smarter Growth, the statewide campaign against Hometown Democracy. “While we’re disappointed with the decision, we are even more disappointed that Florida Hometown Democracy — a group that says it wants to empower voters — would seek to rescind the people’s right to reconsider their signature.” The ruling only confirms a development for which opponents of the no-growth amendment having been preparing for months: After three failed attempts, it appears that the “Vote on Everything” amendment is finally headed for the 2010 ballot.
If passed, Hometown Democracy would require direct voter approval for thousands of technical land use amendments. The idea has already been attempted in St. Pete Beach, a small Pinellas county town that adopted a local version of the amendment in 2006.
Floridians for Smarter Growth leads the statewide opposition to the so-called “Hometown Democracy” amendment. Among 135 other groups that oppose the would-be amendment are the Florida Chamber of Commerce, 1000 Friends of Florida, the Florida American Planning Association and the Florida Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, as well as the Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association.
Governmental Affairs Report
Suzanne T. Graham
During the last few weeks of this year’s legislative session, I sat in my office watching live stream videos of either the House or the Senate - sometimes both simultaneously — actually there were even times when I had our local county commission meetings on as well — I think I have become addicted to government!
I wanted a better understanding of how the House and the Senate work.
There were a lot moments when I thought — you could not pay me enough to Do what the legislators do and the challenges they go through. The tact and finesse of how they present a bill or answer questions during a debate shows their dedication and passion, but most importantly - their willingness to serve the citizens of Florida.
During session our Governmental Affairs team worked very hard on our priorities. The stage was set back in January with a meeting with the Governor. They had a lot of hurdles and obstacles to overcome. When bills passed thru the House there were roadblocks in the Senate and when bills were in the Senate there were issues in the House. At the end of the day our staff succeeded in getting 4 of the 6 priorities plus some partials. Challenges with lawmakers and a tough economy that is crippling our industry weighed heavy on their minds yet FHBA staff showed their dedication and passion and their willingness to serve our members!
Our victories were: Impact Fee Burden of Proof, Growth Management Reform, Worker’s Compensation, Property Tax Reform, Streamlining the Regulatory & Permitting Process (a portion of this priority was included in the Growth Management bill) and Housing Stimulus. For more information on each of these issues go to www.fhba.com click on the FHBA Legislative Update.
The hours, days, weeks and months that the FHBA GA staff dedicates to communicating with lawmakers, the endless meetings, putting out fires and then being able to achieve the successes they did this session is incredible. Our industry will be reaping the benefits of this session for many years.
Local contractors who are not members of our association will benefit from these successes as well. So the next time you are talking with someone who is a potential member — share with them our victories that we achieve on the state level and let them know “Now more than ever” we want them to be part of our team!
Suzanne T. Graham serves CDBIA as Governmental Affairs Committee Chair. She is also owner of American Pest Control Management.
You can reach her by emailing amerpest@american- pest.com or calling (941) 628-4216.
