EDITORIAL: Priorities for the Florida Legislature 2014

March 02--As the legislative season begins, here is a guide for local legislators.

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

Protect local fertilizer limits: With leadership from Sewall's Point, local governments across the Treasure Coast have embraced strict fertilizer-use ordinances that help limit polluted runoff into the Indian River Lagoon and other local waterways. Almost every legislative session in Tallahassee, an industry-backed bill emerges to preempt local governments from enacting such limits. Our lawmakers should vocally oppose any such efforts that emerge in 2014.

Push for lagoon funding: The Senate Select Committee on the Indian River Lagoon recommended $220 million worth of projects to improve our troubled local waterways. The recommendations include a $40 million appropriation for the C-44 Stormwater Treatment Area and Reservoir. These projects won't stop the discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River -- but, collectively, they are a small step in the right direction.

Re-study southern flow-way: Despite widespread understanding that the only way to stop Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River is by sending more water south to the Everglades, no state leader has demanded a reexamination of the idea. It's time for an impartial look at the "flow way" idea -- and our Treasure Coast legislative delegation should demand it.

Oppose Patronis bill: Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, has a habit of filing an "environmental regulation" bill packed with wish lists for development interests. This year, it's HB 703. Among the problems with this one is it extends long-term water use permits for large developments; preempts local governments' wetland rules that have been enacted or readopted since 2003 (something that directly impacts at least Martin County); and prematurely imposes rules about greenhouse gas reductions the federal government might enact.

SHAPING OUR FUTURE

Return local authority over short-term rentals: In 2011, the Florida Legislature passed a bill that prohibits local governments from banning or restricting vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods. Short-term rentals, with the potential to turn your neighbor's home into a motel, have the potential to negatively alter the character of neighborhoods. This issue has been a point of contention in the city of Vero Beach. Senate Bill 356, filed by Sen. John Thrasher of Flagler County, would restore the authority of local governments to regulate short-term rentals.

Require All Aboard Florida to pay costs for "quiet zones": Privately owned All Aboard Florida plans to run 16 passenger trains daily each way between Miami and Orlando -- with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach -- starting late next year. The company, owned by Coral Gables-based Florida East Coast Industries, is expected to pay for safety improvements at rail crossings. However, local governments likely will be asked to pay for upgrades at crossings to keep trains from sounding their horns when they approach these intersections. State lawmakers should require All Aboard Florida to pick up the tab to create these quiet zones.

End state's red light camera program: In 2011, the Florida Legislature authorized cameras and fines of $158 for each offender photographed running red lights. Dozens of local governments implemented the program, which generated a record $119 million in revenue last year. The program was sold to the public as a safety measure to reduce traffic accidents, though evidence to support this claim is mixed. A February report by the state's Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability is critical of the ways the program is being enforced. Senate Bill 144, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would end red light cameras in Florida. The program is a failed experiment that should be discontinued.

Regulate "sober homes": Sober homes -- recovery residences for individuals attempting to establish or maintain abstinence from drugs or alcohol -- have proliferated in Florida. The state Department of Children and Families estimates there are 5,700 to 7,130 sober homes in the Sunshine State. Unlike drug treatment centers, sober-home operators don't need to register with DCF or the municipality in which they are located. Two bills in the Florida Legislature -- SB 582 and HB 479 -- would require annual registration with the state, background checks for operators and periodic inspections by DCF.

EDUCATION/SOCIAL ISSUES

Increase funding and accountability for voluntary pre-kindergarten programs: Based on brain research, Florida was one of the first states to establish free pre-K programs for 4-year-olds and has one of the highest enrollments in the nation. But, funding has not kept pace with the need. Gov. Rick Scott has proposed increasing per pupil funding by $100, but that would be far below the national average of more than $3,800 and less than the per-pupil spending when Scott took office. Studies also raise questions about the quality of Florida's programs.

Increase per pupil funding for K-12 programs: Gov. Rick Scott's proposed budget calls for $18.8 billion in spending for K-12 programs, much of that coming from local taxes. The state's share would actually increase by about $542 million, but that would still provide less than pre-recession per pupil spending. Florida should investing wisely through education rather than providing additional tax cuts for special interests.

Accept federal funding for expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act: Last year, state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, proposed and the Senate approved a plan to accept about $51 billion in federal funding over the next decade to help nearly 1 million of the state's uninsured purchase health insurance on the private market. The House, however, rejected the proposal. As a result, many of those uninsured continue to use hospital emergency rooms, thereby raising costs for the insured and hospitals. The Senate and House should return to the negotiating table to help the state's working poor.

Increase oversight and penalties for assisted living facilities that put their residents in jeopardy: Some improvements have been made administratively to improve conditions at assisted living facilities, but legislative action is needed to increase inspections and provide more timely and certain punishments for homes whose employees prey on the elderly and disabled.

ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY

Make it easier for voters to see who is influencing public officials during campaigns: The National Institute on Money in State Politics gave a D to Florida for campaign finance disclosure requirements. The LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University and Integrity Florida issued that outstanding report (tinyurl.com/lc4aqob) that outlines the shortfalls of campaign reporting in Florida. Legislators should pursue two key initiatives: 1) Improve online public access. 2) Require often shady electioneering communications organizations to reveal whether their spending promotes or opposes a candidate or issue and say where exactly that money came from.

Require agendas of public meetings to describe matters of discussion: Floridians should not be surprised by what their representatives vote on. The vast majority of the time Treasure Coast governments provide adequate descriptions and backup of items to be discussed. A bill (718) by Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, would require such descriptions and prohibit governing boards from acting on a matter at a public meeting that was not included in the notice, except for certain emergency matters approved by super majority of the board.

Do not allow secret searches: While some might argue the open nature of state university presidential searches keeps superior candidates from applying, publicity about the applicants also can dissuade trustees from hiring a subpar candidate. Lawmakers should reject SB 728, which would keep secret anything identifying applicants for president, provost or dean and allow closed meetings to identify and vet applicants and discuss compensation.

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