Legislative Lobbyist Addresses Council

Council met on Thursday morning last week with Ron Book, the city’s legislative lobbyist, to discuss last year and its turnaround, as well as where he believed we might be going this year.

“Wow what a difference a year makes,” said the upbeat and energized “Dean” of Tallahassee lobbyists.   “When we were here last year, we were facing a two-billion-dollar shortfall in the Transportation Trust Fund, and we were worried how that might be reflected in our other revenue income streams. However, the Trump and Biden monies started rolling in, as well as other revenues, and we came out of this pretty healthy. We would go from a projected low to mid ninety-billion-dollar budget to a healthy one-hundred-and two-billion-dollar budget. Just a couple of months ago, we ended up with nine and a half billion dollars in reserve.”  

Book explained that much of that was American Rescue Plan monies. “The revenue estimates are anywhere from four hundred to seven hundred million dollars above what had been planned for. Florida is roaring,” said Book. “People are coming to Florida, eating out, staying in hotels and trying to rent cars they can’t get,” said Book.

Book then shifted gears and moved on to politics. “We are headed into redistricting - not sure you’ll get another seat, but Southwest Florida is growing. What I do know for sure is that the next Senate President will be coming from your area,” said Book. It was his way of hinting that Senator Kathleen Passidomo has a healthy chance of obtaining that coveted seat, which would be a big plus for Southwest Florida. He also spoke to the fact that, within our area, those representing us are players in the larger scene, which should bode well for Southwest Florida.

Book spoke loud and clear in regard to environmental issues being front and center, especially with the governor. 

As far as projects to pursue, Book encouraged that the project to replace the West Winterberry Bridge be strongly supported, not only here but within the Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) arena. “We need to have a well-defined story to tell,” said an animated Book.

According to Book, a building code bill will be coming during this session due to the Surfside collapse.  What it will look like is up in the air, but something will be coming. The problems are not unique to just Southeast Florida. “We need to be looking at all these buildings,” said Book. He felt substantive discussions would begin at the state level by October.

Council moved forward to support replacement of the West Winterberry Bridge (Smokehouse Creek Bridge), a water quality project to be determined, and legislation to support more access to records regarding short-term rental licensing from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.