Florida's Legislative Debacle Continues

I've been privy to some inside information about Florida's Legislature this week. Currently, the Budget Impasse that I reported yesterday has been resolved. That resolution was through Legislative Leaders (R) and without any real Democratic input.

It's expected that by Monday or Tuesday the Budget will be finalized, but in the meantime I'm trying to shed some light on the darker corners of the Florida Legislature. A couple things happened today: a continuation of the 'License Plate Wars' I reported on yesterday, Florida has all but rejected $444 million in Federal Stimulus money, and someone is pushing for offshore drilling.

The License Plate Wars - The Florida Senate has all but taken the Jesus and the Cross license plates off the list, though its expected they'll be strongly pushed and might be used a 'trade fodder,' i.e. passed in order to help get certain items in the budget. Either way, I still maintain that they're unconstitutional.

Rejection of $444 million in Stimulus Funds - The Republican lead Legislature is refusing to update the unemployment enrollment and this, automatically, rejects the Federal money. Right now, Florida's unemployment roster is based on the 1930s when it required several weeks to determine that someone was actually unemployed. If this was updated it would allow unemployed people to be compensated sooner and, currently, help fill gaps in the budget with Federal funds. Currently, Florida desperately needs these funds as its shedding jobs at the fastest rate in the Union.

Although it was a voice vote in the House it was pretty clear that the vote was along party lines, Republicans rejecting the funds. In the words of one Democratic Legislator "House Republicans feel they need to prove they're Republicans." This means that they want to act in a fashion similar to the 'Party of No' in the Federal House of Representatives.

Further, while it's pretty clear the Governor (Crist) would like the money he won't push for it. Apparently, he doesn't get into battles that will alienate people, especially Business which will end up funding his run for Senate, "if" he runs. Of course, it's pretty clear from this act, and his attempt to not alienate anyone that Crist is going to run.

A side note: Dan Gelber, who I'm supporting for Senate, tried to update the way unemployment was paid out two years ago but his bill did not pass. At that time there was not, of course, any Federal money to back him up but he, like many Democrats, are trying to get the Legislature to accept these funds.

Offshore Drilling - This bill was "dead" before today. Today the House passed HB 1219 which allows drilling within 3 miles of shore. In the past couple weeks the bill has gained momentum resulting from 'hundreds of thousands of dollars' having been poured into lobbying for offshore drilling. "A group of mostly anonymous oil and gas companies have hired at least 20 lobbyists to push bills that would allow offshore drilling in Florida." Of course, no one is really sure where the money is coming from exactly but the best guesses are that its either from Texas oil interests or Foreign sources.

Natch Greyes is a Democrat running for Senate in 2020. His campaign platform may be found at natchgreyes.com Sphere: Related Content