April 14, 2017
Week Six - 2017 Session
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
-
Anne Bradstreet
Spring is the season when nature reignites and fills our senses with colors and fragrances. The dogwoods, azaleas, gardenias and roadside wildflowers are exploding onto the scene in technicolor. Animal life cycles also often begin in the spring season as evidenced by the abundance of baby birds and woodland creature born in this season. Easter and Passover are being celebrated by Christians and Jews, respectively. Spring cleaning, weddings, baseball, the vernal equinox, local spring-related festivals honoring one flower or another, beehives regenerating after the winter respite and the commencement of the music festival circuit are all under way. What a glorious time of the year indeed.
Of course, spring also means pollen, allergies, the reemergence of ticks, spiders and fleas and the flare up of ulcers and other physical ailments due to the increase in the body's metabolism. And, in Florida, spring is also synonymous with the legislative session and the annual struggle to protect Home Rule.
As we enter the second half of the 2017 session, we have seen little that makes us feel that this is the season of rebirth and hope. Instead, this session has been more like Charles Dickens' description of spring in which he writes the "sun shines hot and the wind blows cold; when it is summer in the light and winter still in the shade."
It has been wildly unpredictable and filled with uncertainty - the only sure thing is that Home Rule is under attack. Despite this effort to undermine and subvert local control, we can take comfort in the realization that "deep roots never doubt spring will come." Municipal officials in Florida are those deep roots - knowing that long after the Legislature concludes its business, cities will lead the way in solving problems, fostering a positive economic environment and delivering services to their citizens. We remain hopeful for the prospects of the legislative session and look to each of you to continue to grow in your commitment to protect Home Rule.
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Each year, there are always a few municipal leaders who make extraordinary advocacy efforts. The League appreciates these efforts and created the Home Rule Hero Award as a way to recognize and thank them. At the December 2016 Legislative Conference, the League announced factors that are considered when selecting Home Rule Hero Award recipients. To view the Home Rule Hero Award criteria, click
HERE .
Legislative Policy Committee Sign-Up is now available online.
Click
HERE
for more information on policy committees and to sign-up to serve for 2017-2018. The deadline to sign-up is May 1.
Join us again on Monday, April 17, at 9:00 am ET for the Monday Morning Call-In. The number is 1-888-419-5570 and the participant code is 7355-9461.
During the call-in, we will discuss the big issues that will be heard by the Legislature for the upcoming week and provide you with direction to take as advocates for Home Rule. To view what issues will be discussed, access the
House and
Senate calendars and follow along.
Please note due to the holidays, the weekly Legislative
Bulletin
will not be published this week. Instead, refer to bill summaries below.
Stay engaged. Check out our
Issue Briefs and social media feeds to access comprehensive background information and timely updates on the status of key legislative issues we are tracking.
Remember, when you come to Tallahassee during session, please visit us here at the League office. Staff will discuss the important issues of the day and provide you with all the information you need to be a successful advocate here in Tallahassee.
Thanks to each of you for all you do on behalf of your city and the citizens of Florida.
C. Scott Dudley
Legislative Director
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