CAPTIONING DECEMBER 7, 2007 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION ***This is not an official, verbatim transcript of the ***following meeting. It should be used for informational ***purposes only. This document has not been edited; ***therefore, there may be additions, deletions, or words ***that did not translate. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: I'M SORRY. WOULD YOU ALL -- WHERE IS IT? [LAUGHTER] HERE WE GO. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE WILL NOW HAVE THE PRAYER BY REPRESENTATIVE FRANK PETERMAN. WOULD YOU REMAIN STANDING, PLEASE. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: LET US BOW OUR HEADS. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU PRAISING YOUR NAME AND THANKING YOU FOR THIS DAY. FOR THIS IS A GOOD DAY, AND WE'RE REJOICING IN IT. BLESS US NOW, BLESS THESE PROCEEDINGS. SHOW US WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE US SAY, SHOW US HOW TO DELIBERATE, HOW TO PASS GOOD JUDGMENT. GIVE US THOUGHTFUL RESPONSES TO ALL THAT WE SEE BEFORE US, ALL THE CONVERSATIONS, MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE APPROPRIATE, THAT THEY SPEAK TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. BLESS US ALL NOW THIS DAY. WE ASK THIS PRAYER IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD. AMEN. >>GROUP: AMEN. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: CANDACE, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [ROLL CALL TAKEN] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MADAM DIRECTOR, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM? >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: NO, MA'AM. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE DO NOT HAVE A QUORUM. WE NEED EIGHT HOUSE MEMBERS AND -- >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: WE NEED SEVEN HOUSE MEMBERS AND THREE SENATORS, AND WE HAVE SEVEN HOUSE MEMBERS AND THREE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: TWO SENATORS. SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: MADAM CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION SINCE WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM THAT WE JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH PUBLIC TESTIMONY BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED A QUORUM TO HAVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY, AND THIS WILL GIVE SOME OF THE FOLKS OUT THERE THAT DON'T REALLY WANT TO SIT ALL DAY LONG THROUGH OUR MEETING TO BE ABLE TO COME FORWARD EARLY AND SPEAK. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SOME OF THEM MAY NOT BE HERE YET. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: DID WE GIVE THEM TIME CERTAIN THAT THEY -- >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: NO. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. BUT THAT WAS THE MOTION, SO I NEED A SECOND. >> SECOND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT WE PROCEED WITH PUBLIC TESTIMONY IN THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A QUORUM PRESENT YET. WE'RE WAITING FOR ONE OTHER PERSON. AS SOON AS SENATOR STORMS ARRIVES, THEN WE WILL PROCEED -- WE WILL REVERT BACK TO THE NATURAL ORDER AS STATED IN THE AGENDA, SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE LET IT BE KNOWN BY THE SIGN OF AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES] ALL OF THOSE -- REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD, ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE LET IT BE KNOWN BY THE SIGN OF AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES] THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. HEARING NONE, THE MOTION PASSES. WE'LL PROCEED WITH PUBLIC TESTIMONY. THE FIRST SPEAKER IS MICHAEL BERNSTEIN FROM GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES. AND WHILE MR. BERNSTEIN IS COMING UP, I'D LIKE TO FIRST THANK THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, DR. JUDY GENSHAFT, FOR COORDINATING THE BREAKFAST THAT WE HAVE HERE THIS MORNING AND OUR LUNCH. [APPLAUSE] >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I REALIZE THAT, REPRESENTATIVE. IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, BUT THE MEMBERS ARE PAYING. I WANT THE RECORD TO REFLECT THAT. GO BULLS. >> WE'RE LESS THAN THE PUBLIC. >> THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE SUN BOWL [INAUDIBLE] >> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: GO BULLS. >> GO BULLS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LET THE SUN SHINE IN EL PASO, FROM TAMPA TO EL PASO, SO TELL THE GUYS WE EXPECT TO WIN THIS ONE. AND NOW WE DO NEED TO HAVE AN OFFICIAL WELCOME. WE ARE IN THE COUNTY CENTER, AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, IF YOU'LL JUST STEP ASIDE AND LET MS. PAT BEAN OFFICIALLY WELCOME US TO OUR BUILDING. GOOD MORNING. >>PAT BEAN: GOOD MORNING. HOW IS EVERYONE THIS MORNING? >> GREAT. >> GREAT. >>PAT BEAN: GOOD. WELL, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU HERE IN OUR BUILDING. COUNTY CENTER IS A PLACE FULL OF ACTIVITY EVERY SINGLE DAY, BUT WE ALWAYS WELCOME THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION WHEN YOU COME TO VISIT US HERE, AND WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SPACE LIKE THIS WHERE WE CAN HOLD MEETINGS WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE ISSUES THEY WANT TO DISCUSS WITH YOU. WE CERTAINLY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A BUSY SCHEDULE TODAY AS WELL AS A BUSY SCHEDULE COMING UP AS YOU PROCEED WITH THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND SO WE JUST SAY WELCOME, AND WE WISH YOU WELL, AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE VERY HAPPY HOLIDAYS. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, ADMINISTRATOR BEAN. WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU OFFERED THE FACILITY, AND I WAS VERY HAPPY TO ACCEPT. IT WAS ONLY A TWO-BLOCK WALK FOR ME FROM MY OFFICE. >>PAT BEAN: VERY GOOD. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE ALLOCATING THREE MINUTES PER PERSON. WE HAVE A LONG AGENDA. I'M ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE CONFINE YOUR COMMENTS TO THOSE THREE MINUTES, AND AT THE EXPIRATION OF THAT TIME, YOU'LL GET A GENTLE NUDGE FROM ME, BUT I'M MINDFUL THAT WE ALL ARE VERY BUSY, AND OF COURSE, IT'S OUR DUTY AND OUR OBLIGATION TO COME HERE EVERY YEAR AND HEAR WHAT OUR CITIZENS WANT TO TELL US ABOUT ISSUES AND ALSO TO TELL US HOW MUCH MONEY IT IS THAT THEY'D LIKE FOR US TO BRING BACK TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. AND THE PROCEDURE IS THAT THERE WILL BE A SPEAKER, AND AT THE CONCLUSION, IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS, I WILL RECOGNIZE THAT MEMBER, AND THEN IF THE -- YOU MAY COME TO THE DAIS. AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE QUESTION, THEN I WILL NOTIFY THE SPEAKER TO RESPOND. WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE THIS MEETING LIKE WE DO COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE, SO WITH THAT, MR. BERNSTEIN, YOU MAY BEGIN. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M NOT MR. BERNSTEIN, BUT I'D LIKE TO BE SOMETIMES. I'M BRENT SEMBLER. I'M A BOARD MEMBER OF GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES. GULF COAST OPERATES IN 32 FLORIDA COUNTIES. WE SERVE ABOUT 50,000 FLORIDIANS IN CRISIS. I'M PROUD OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS DELEGATION AND OF MY FRIEND GOVERNOR CRIST. THESE PROGRAMS ARE PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT HELP THOSE IN NEED BECOME PRODUCTIVE IN COST-EFFECTIVE SETTINGS. I'D LIKE TO YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME, PLEASE, TO OUR DIRECTOR WHO JUST GOT HERE, MICHAEL BERNSTEIN. THANK YOU. >> I KNOW MOST OF THE PEOPLE AROUND THE TABLE. I WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO SEE YOU AGAIN, OVER THE MANY YEARS, CHAMPIONS LIKE SENATOR CRIST AND SO MANY OF YOU THAT HAVE MADE THE PROGRAMS POSSIBLE AND HAVE MADE A MODEL TO THE REST OF THE NATION, AND REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER AND SO MANY WHO ARE DEAR FRIENDS HERE TODAY. BRIEFLY, WHAT WE WANT TO TELL YOU -- AND I KNOW YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM ANYWAY -- I SAT ON AN APPOINTMENT WITH GOVERNOR BUSH -- FORMER GOVERNOR BUSH WITH THE EX- OFFENDER TASK FORCE, AND WE WERE GOING AROUND TO DIFFERENT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. MOST ALL OF YOU WERE AWARE LAST YEAR WHEN IT CAME TO A CRISIS SITUATION, WE HAD PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT SOCIOPATHIC BUT SUICIDAL AND SELF-MUTILATING THAT WERE GOUGING THEIR EYES OUT AND SLASHING THEIR WRISTS AND GOING INTO DIFFERENT STATE INSTITUTIONS. IT'S NOT A CRIME TO BE MENTALLY ILL. IT'S NOT A CRIME TO BE MENTALLY ILL AND DRUG ADDICTED. WE NEED YOUR HELP. WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE SENATOR, WE WERE ABLE TO GET A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO WORK WITH 250 PEOPLE HERE IN TAMPA BAY. WE MADE A PROMISE -- WE KEPT IT -- ABOUT GOOD GOVERNMENT TO GET THESE FOLKS OUT OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, GET THEM EMPLOYED, GET THEM HOUSING, GET THEM JOBS, AND KEEP THEM FROM GOING BACK TO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. IT'S A CRISIS IN OUR STATE. WE KNOW WE CAN COUNT ON YOUR LEADERSHIP. THIS YEAR WE'RE LOOKING TO GET THE PROGRAMS. MR. TATE JOINED US IN BROWARD. THE TWO GREATEST NEEDS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE RIGHT HERE IN TAMPA BAY, RIGHT HERE IN TAMPA BAY AND IN BROWARD COUNTY, SURPRISINGLY. WE NEED YOUR HELP, THIS $850,000 IN TWO REGIONS SO WE CAN RESCUE 700 FOLKS AND CAN GET THEM PRODUCTIVE, EMPLOYED, AND OUT OF INSTITUTIONS. IT'S COST-EFFECTIVE. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING US A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK TO YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. BERNSTEIN. SENATOR AMBLER. I PROMOTED YOU. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I'LL TAKE THE TITLE, BUT I'M REPRESENTATIVE. JUST BRIEFLY. I DON'T COMMENT ON ALL THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT COME BEFORE US, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT IN THIS TIME OF TIGHT BUDGETS WHEN WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE SOME HARD CHOICES IN THE COMING MONTHS, SENATOR CRIST AND I HAVE JOINED THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IN SPONSORING THE DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES, AND IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN OR ANYTHING ELSE. THAT HAPPENS TO BE IN THE TITLE, BUT IT'S ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO NEED THE HELP MOST, WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE, HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS, AND OCCASIONALLY YOU COME ACROSS A PROGRAM THAT I THINK DEFINES BEST PRACTICES, AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS THAT HAS AN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS RATE, FULL ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY IN THE WAY THEIR DOLLARS ARE SPENT, EXTREMELY EFFICIENT, WITH EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS, AND I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US AS A DELEGATION TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE. IF WE'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT HERE, THEN THIS IS THE KIND OF PROGRAM THAT SHOULD BE CLONED, IT SHOULD BE FRANCHISED THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE SHOULD TAKE THE THINGS THAT WE RECOGNIZE ARE BEST PRACTICES WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SAY THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD BE FUNDING ELSEWHERE THAT WE KNOW WORK, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE LOOK AT ACROSS -- WELL, I CAN ASSURE YOU HAVING BEEN ON HEALTH CARE APPROPRIATIONS FOUR YEARS AND JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS TWO YEARS THAT YOU CAN'T SAY THIS ABOUT A LOT OF PROGRAMS, SO THE ONLY REASON I SPEAK OUT ON THIS IS IS THAT I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT AS A DELEGATION, WHEN WE GET UP TO TALLAHASSEE, WE SHOULD BE UNIFIED IN SUPPORTING NOT JUST THE PROGRAM AND ITS CONTINUED FUNDING HERE LOCALLY BUT THE EXPANSION OF THE BEST PRACTICES THEY'VE EMPLOYED AND THE SUCCESSES THEY'VE HAD IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AS WELL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE -- SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: YOU CAN GIVE HIM THE TITLE, BUT DON'T TAKE MINE AWAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: DON'T TAKE YOURS AWAY. [LAUGHTER] >>VICTOR CRIST: I TOO WOULD LIKE TO ECHO AND EXPAND ON THAT. YOU KNOW, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY CARES DIVISION OF GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS, AND, YOU KNOW, I'M A NUTS-AND-BOLTS, NUMBERS KIND OF GUY, AND I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU I'VE NEVER SEEN AN ORGANIZATION OPERATE SO WELL WITH SO LITTLE AND STRETCH A DOLLAR SO WELL, MICHAEL, AS THIS ONE UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU. >>VICTOR CRIST: AND, YOU KNOW, CHAIRING JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS, WE HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS, ESPECIALLY IN A TIGHT BUDGET YEAR, AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE BY INVESTING IN WHAT YOU'RE DOING WILL ACTUALLY SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THE COST FOR THE STATE BY INCARCERATING THESE INDIVIDUALS, WHICH IS SO MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE. >> YES, SIR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SENATOR, AND I RECOGNIZE EVERYONE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. BERNSTEIN -- >> -- AROUND THE TABLE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. BERNSTEIN -- >> YES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: -- YOU'RE RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SAY, REPRESENTATIVE JOYNER, THAT I KNOW EVERYONE AROUND THIS TABLE FOR THE MOST PART. WE GOT TO SEE JUST YESTERDAY REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD AND REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN, OF COURSE, AND REPRESENTATIVE CULP. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I'VE BEEN HERE 30 YEARS. TAMPA BAY STARTED A LOT OF DEMO PROJECTS. THIS IS A CRISIS OF TOO MANY MENTALLY ILL IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE WITH US IF THEY CAN STEP FORWARD, AND THEN WE'LL STOP. THERE ARE SOME REAL FACES BEHIND HERE, AND SOME OF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO MEET THEM. THIS IS NOT ABOUT A PROGRAM, IT'S ABOUT NAMES. CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> HI. I'M TRACY ROUSH. >> AND -- >> AND LAURA ROSENHACK. >> TRACY AND LAURA, AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. I'M SO PROUD AND ADORE THESE PEOPLE. THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO BE IN PRISONS. IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF CONSTITUTIONAL MENTAL ILLNESS, IF YOU'RE MANIC DEPRESSIVE AND YOU'RE SUICIDAL OR YOU'RE SELF- MUTILATING AND YOU HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THAT, YOU NEED TREATMENT, YOU DON'T NEED A PRISON, YOU DON'T NEED A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR 10, 20, AND 30 YEARS. YOU NEED TO BE TREATED IN THE COMMUNITY IN A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, AND IT'S ABOUT 1/10 THE COST, AND WE DO GET PEOPLE BACK IN PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT, AS YOU KNOW. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO US, AND WE ADMIRE AND RESPECT, MS. CHAIRMAN, THE SUPPORT WE'VE ALWAYS RECEIVED FROM THIS DELEGATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. BERNSTEIN, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: AND THANK YOU TOO FOR SHOWING UP AND PUTTING A FACE TO WHAT THE ORGANIZATION DOES. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M PROUD OF THEM. THEY'RE DOING GREAT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NOW WE'LL HAVE MS. MARY LYNN ULREY FROM DACCO. IS SHE HERE? RECOGNIZE THAT A LOT OF THE PERSONS WHO ARE SCHEDULED TO SPEAK THINK THAT -- THEY'RE OF THE OPINION THAT THEY'RE SPEAKING IN THE AFTERNOON, SO WE'LL JUST MOVE THE AGENDA AND COME BACK TO THEM. FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY STUDIES. >> CAN WE PASS OUT SOME PAMPHLETS? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> I'M ALAYNE UNTERBERGER. I'M VERY GLAD TO BE SPEAKING WITH YOU TODAY. I ACTUALLY MADE A POWERPOINT, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TODAY. I BROUGHT WITH US TODAY GIOVANNI ROJAS, WHO IS ONE OF THE YOUTH FROM OUR CENTER, AND I KNOW WE HAVE A LIMITED TIME, AND I KNOW IT'S A TOUGH YEAR FOR ALL OF US. VERY COMPELLING WHEN YOU HAVE THESE DIFFICULT DECISIONS TO MAKE FOR FUNDING, BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND FOR YOU TO KNOW WHAT WE DO AT THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY STUDIES. THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE YOUR BEAUTIFUL LOW-TECH PAMPHLETS. OUR MISSION IS REALLY TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITIES, TO WORK WITH PEOPLE AT THE VERY GRASS-ROOTS LEVEL, PEOPLE THAT OFTEN -- YOU KNOW, YOUTH -- PEOPLE THAT ARE MARGINALIZED, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS. WE'RE A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION. WE JUST CELEBRATED OUR FIFTH YEAR, AND I THINK WE INVITED ALL OF YOU TO OUR ANNIVERSARY PARTY LAST NIGHT AT THE ZOO. IT WAS VERY FUN. BUT WE ARE ACTUALLY HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE TODAY, AND WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO STOP BY ANY TIME. WE ARE HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE TODAY FROM 11:00 TO 6:00, AND ALSO WE ARE -- WE HAVE OPERATED A MULTICULTURAL FAMILY CENTER FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS IN TOWN 'N COUNTRY, AND THAT CENTER WAS DESIGNED WITH AND BY THE COMMUNITY, AND IF YOU LOOK INSIDE -- I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU GUYS OPENING OUR BEAUTIFUL PAMPHLET. IF YOU LOOK INSIDE, THERE'S A TRIANGLE, AND IN THE TRIANGLE, THIS IS OUR MODEL. IT KEEPS THE COMMUNITY IN THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, AND THAT MEANS THAT THE YOUTH HAVE A VOICE AT OUR CENTER, THE COMMUNITY HAS A VOICE. THEY GET TO GUIDE WHAT THEY THINK ARE THE STRENGTHS AND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND SO WE TRY TO BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS AT THE SAME TIME AS ADJUSTING THE NEEDS, AND FOR THAT REASON, WE HAVE PROJECT PREVENTION -- SHE IS WEARING A SHIRT, ACTUALLY, FROM OUR YOUTH SUMMIT, AND PROJECT PREVENTION IS OUR AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM. IT WON AN AWARD FROM THE PATEL FOUNDATION FOR DISEASE PREVENTION. WE'VE GRADUATED 500 YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 18. IT'S SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND HIV PREVENTION. WE'VE ALSO HAD THEM MAKE COMMITMENTS TO NO VIOLENCE. WE'VE DONE YOUTH VIOLENCE ROUNDTABLES ABOUT THE GANG ISSUES. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE WITH US IN BRINGING THE KIDS TOGETHER, SERVING AS A MENTOR WITH THEM. ONE OF THE KEY THINGS WE DID IN OUR FIRST RESEARCH PROJECT THAT STARTED OUR PROJECT PREVENTION, WE IDENTIFIED EIGHT PREGNANCIES IN A HUNDRED YOUTH, AND WITH PROJECT PREVENTION, WE'VE HAD ZERO PREGNANCIES, ZERO HIV IN 500 YOUTH, SO WE KNOW IT WORKS. SO WE ARE VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT OUR OUTCOMES. WE INVITE YOU TO COME OUT TO SEE US. I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK MUCH LONGER. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'D LOVE TO PARTNER WITH YOU AND TO FORWARD THE GROWTH WE'VE MADE AND THE STRIDES WE'VE MADE IN TOWN 'N COUNTRY AND ELSEWHERE IN FLORIDA. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. UNTERBERGER, FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. TAMPA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM, MR. WENDELL SEBASTIAN. >> THANK YOU, AND GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS WENDELL SEBASTIAN. I AM THE PRESIDENT AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE TAMPA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM, AND I WILL TAKE ONLY ONE MINUTE TO TELL YOU I CAME TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL HAVE A GRAND OPENING NEXT MONTH NEXT TO THE NEW FIREHOUSE DOWNTOWN. OLD NUMBER 1 HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED. WE HAVE PUT AN ADDITION ON THE NORTH SIDE OF IT WITH ALL OF THE ADA AND NEW MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS. THE OLD FIREHOUSE HAS BEEN RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS. IT IS A WORK OF ART AND SOMETHING THE CITY SHOULD BE PROUD OF. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THE PAST IN GETTING THAT OPEN. WE REALIZE THAT THERE'S A VERY TIGHT BUDGET THIS YEAR. WE DID PUT A REQUEST IN FOR JUST UNDER $200,000 FOR AN EXHIBIT THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FULFILL FURTHER IN OUR MISSION TO HELP THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND PEOPLE, THE STUDENTS IN PARTICULAR, TO LEARN ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE EDUCATION, AND LIFE SAFETY, BUT WE WILL BE VERY UNDERSTANDING IF THAT'S PUT OFF UNTIL THERE'S A LITTLE MORE MONEY. WE REALLY JUST CAME TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO AND REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIESA IN PARTICULAR, BUT ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. GO SEE THE MUSEUM. IT'S ON THE CORNER OF ZACK AND JEFFERSON, AND YOU'LL BE VERY PROUD OF IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. SEBASTIAN. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: HAVING GONE DOWN THERE FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING RECENTLY, IT IS A GREAT FACILITY. IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT EDUCATIONAL FACILITY. YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND WE WILL DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN WHEN WE GET TO TALLAHASSEE. TCMS/BACK TO BASICS CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION. MR. MEDERO. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS VINNY MEDERO, AND I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE TERRACE COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ITS DESIRE TO BRING ITS SUCCESS AS A NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL TO THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN ALLOWING US TO OPEN OUR DOORS IN THE EVENINGS AND IN THE WEEKENDS TO BRING THE SUCCESS WHICH WE'VE HAD TO THE COMMUNITY IN NORTHEAST TAMPA JUST OUTSIDE OF TEMPLE TERRACE. I'D JUST ASK THAT YOU LOOK TO SENATOR CRIST FOR SOME LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. HE'S TOURED THE SCHOOL. HE'S SEEN WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER. AND AS WE ALL KNOW, IT STARTS WITH THE KIDS, AND IF WE START DOWN AT THIS LEVEL AND WE BRING IT TO THE COMMUNITY, WHEN THESE KIDS BECOME ADULTS, THEY WILL ALL BE A LOT MORE SUCCESSFUL WITH THEIR ENDEAVORS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, ANY COMMENTS, I WON'T TAKE ANY MUCH MORE OF YOUR TIME, BUT I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS I MAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'VE SAID IT ALL. I'M SURE THAT SENATOR CRIST HAS A POINT HE WANTS TO MAKE. >> I HOPE HE DOES. >>VICTOR CRIST: I WAS THERE FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING AND SPENT A GOOD TIME TOURING THE FACILITY, AND MEMBERS, IF YOU REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF A CHARTER SCHOOL, THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES I'VE EVER SEEN. THEIR NEW FACILITIES, WHICH IS ALL FROM PRIVATE MONEY THAT THEY'VE RAISED, IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. AND VINNY, I'VE GOT TEN COMPUTERS FOR YOU I'M GOING TO DELIVER NEXT WEEK. >> WE UNDERSTAND THAT. WE APPRECIATE THAT, AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU FOLKS COULD DO WOULD BE APPRECIATED. >>VICTOR CRIST: IT'S A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. DICK WOLTMANN FROM BAY AREA LEGAL SERVICES. MR. NICK PORTER FROM THE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER AND MS. CAROL McKEE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE DELEGATION. I THINK MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT THE CANCER CENTER WAS CREATED STATUTORILY BACK IN 1981, AND I'M VERY PLEASED THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE CANCER CENTER OVER THE LAST 19 YEARS AND THE NUMBER OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT I THINK THAT HAVE OCCURRED, AND I THINK THAT YOU-ALL AS WELL SHOULD FEEL JUST AS PLEASED ABOUT THAT. I THINK THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AT MOFFITT THAT HAVE ALLOWED US TO PURSUE THE PREVENTION AND THE CURE OF CANCER HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS FOR BOTH FLORIDA AND THE TAMPA BAY AREA. I AM HERE TODAY, THOUGH, TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP. WE HAVE THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMING UP, AND WE REALLY WERE LOOKING FOR HELP IN TWO DIFFERENT AREAS. WE RECEIVE AN ALLOCATION DIRECTLY FROM THE STATE THROUGH THE STATE LINE ITEM APPROPRIATION ACT, AND WE WOULD HOPE THAT THAT CAN REMAIN AT THE SAME LEVEL IT IS NOW. WE REALIZE THAT THE STATE IS FACING MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, BUT OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE FUNDING AT THAT LEVEL IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. BUT WE ARE PREPARED TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO, YOU KNOW, PROTECT THE BUDGET AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA AT THE SAME TIME. ALTHOUGH WE ARE PREPARED TO FACE A LEAN BUDGET YEAR, OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY IS RELATING TO THE CIGARETTE TAX REVENUE, AND I'D LIKE TO SPEND THE REST OF MY TIME SPEAKING TO THAT. WE ARE SEEKING A GENERAL BILL THAT WILL EXTEND SUNSET DATES AND CONTINUE TO DIVERT A SMALL PERCENTAGE, 4.06%, OF EXISTING AND BONDABLE CIGARETTE TAX REVENUE TO THE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER UNTIL 2038. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE STATE GENERAL REVENUE FUND WOULD NOT BE LOSING ANY FUNDS NOT CURRENTLY DISTRIBUTED TO THE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER. THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION MERELY CONTINUES TO DISTRIBUTE EXISTING TAX REVENUE TO MOFFITT AT THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS BEING DISTRIBUTED EFFECTIVE JULY OF 2004. AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO JUST STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO THE CANCER CENTER OVERALL. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, 2.59% OF THIS DISTRIBUTION WILL EXPIRE. AS YOU KNOW, THE CANCER CENTER IS GROWING, IT HAS TREMENDOUS MOMENTUM. WE ARE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS AT RECRUITING SCIENTISTS. THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO COME TO THE CANCER CENTER INCREASED, YOU KNOW, 10%, 12% EVERY SINGLE YEAR, AND WE WOULD LITERALLY LOSE $5 MILLION A YEAR IN FISCAL YEAR '08- '09 IF THE CURRENT LAW SUNSETS, AND THIS WOULD OBVIOUSLY HARM OUR ABILITY TO EXPAND FACILITIES WHICH WE NEED FOR SCIENTISTS, WHICH OBVIOUSLY ALLOWS US TO LOOK FOR CURES AND PREVENTION IN CANCER. THE PROPOSED BILL IS BEING SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIESA AND SENATOR MIKE HARIDOPOLOS, AND IT ALSO EXTENDS A SUNSETTING DISTRIBUTION OF 1.47%, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO SUNSET IN 2016. SO AGAIN, TOGETHER WITH THESE TWO PERCENTAGES, IT TOTALS 4.06%, AND WE ASK THE MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION TO COSPONSOR THIS. ACTUALLY, AS WELL AS HELPING US TO PREVENT AND CURE CANCER, THE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER CONTRIBUTES CLOSE TO AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $1 BILLION A YEAR. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TIME TODAY, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. PORTER, AND DO KNOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE -- OF MOFFITT CANCER CENTER, AND WE'LL DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO HOLD YOU HARMLESS AT THE LEVEL THAT YOU ARE PRESENTLY, BUT WE CAN'T MAKE ANY PROMISES. >> I UNDERSTAND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. I THINK EVERYONE HERE RECOGNIZES THE SIGNIFICANCE THAT MOFFITT PLAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH. SINCE REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIESA COULDN'T BE HERE AND I SPOKE TO HIM ON THE PHONE THE OTHER NIGHT, HE ASKED IF I COULD SHARE A FEW WORDS IN PARTICULAR ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONTINUED FUNDING FROM THE CIGARETTE TAX, AND THIS IS NOT - - WE'RE NOT -- THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANY MORE MONEY THAT THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY GETTING. THIS IS JUST A CONTINUATION OF SOMETHING THAT WILL BE SUNSETTED, AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CANCER CENTER'S FUTURE, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND I WOULD URGE THAT WE ALL COSPONSOR IT AND HELP PUSH IT THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: PASS THE COSPONSORSHIP FORMS AROUND. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. MR. JAMES EVANS, TAMPA BAY ACADEMY OF HOPE. >> MADAM CHAIR, GOOD MORNING. TO THE REST OF THE DELEGATE MEMBERS, LEGISLATORS. FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO SAY ON BEHALF OF THE TAMPA BAY ACADEMY OF HOPE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WE FEEL VERY HONORED TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE TODAY, AND THANKS FOR ORGANIZING SUCH A WORTHY, DESERVING MEETING. LET ME START OFF BY SAYING THE TAMPA BAY ACADEMY OF HOPE IS A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, AND WHAT WE FOCUS ON IS AT-RISK YOUTH FROM THE AGES 12 TO 18. WE'VE DESIGNED A MODEL FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS OR SO IN PERFECTING, IMPROVING YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACADEMICS, ATTENDANCE, BEHAVIOR, SELF-ESTEEM, AND LEADERSHIP. WE DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER PROGRAM IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT CAN MEASURE ALL FIVE OF ITS COMPONENTS. WE'RE DOING THAT AS A GRASS-ROOT ORGANIZATION. WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO TRANSITION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL AND ON TO FLORIDA COLLEGES. WE STAY WITH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE. THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN POVERTY, THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SINGLE-PARENT HOMES, THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SOCIETY SAID WILL NOT MAKE IT. AS A FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER WITH THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AND THE BUCS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS WHEN YOU WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY DON'T HAVE HOPE. A LOT OF THEM HAVE GIVEN UP. THEY'RE DISCOURAGED. THEY FEEL LIKE SOCIETY HAS PUSHED THEM TO THE SIDE, AND TODAY, AS WE STAND BEFORE YOU, WE'RE TELLING YOU THAT'S NOT THE CASE, AND WE'RE HERE TODAY TO HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT WE'VE SUBMITTED TO YOU AND THAT YOU WILL TAKE A STRONG LOOK AT IT. YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA. OUR MAYOR, PAM IORIO, WHO'S HERE TODAY, HAS TRIED TO KEEP US GOING IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE REACHED OUT, BUT WE NEED YOU GUYS. THESE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE IT. THIS SUMMER WE'RE DOING THE FIRST LITERACY CAMP. OUR KIDS CAN'T READ. IT'S REAL. OUR KIDS ARE STRUGGLING. AND IF WE DON'T REACH OUT A LITTLE BIT HARDER AND A LITTLE BIT STRONGER, I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE A GENERATION OF CHILDREN BEHIND THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO INCARCERATE. LAST NIGHT WE HAD A RAP SESSION FOR GROUPS. EVERY KID IN THAT ROOM HAD A BABY. THEY'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL. WE HAD ALL THESE KIDS TALKING ABOUT THEY WANT TO STOP SELLING DRUGS, THEY WANT TO NOT CARRY GUNS, BUT HOW DO WE SOLVE THAT PROBLEM COLLECTIVELY? WELL, WE BELIEVE THAT WE'VE DESIGNED A MODEL THAT CAN DO JUST THAT, AND IT'S STRONG, BUT FOR THE -- FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES WITH THIS BODY, AND I HOPE TODAY THAT YOU WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR OUR KIDS WITH YOU OR WITHOUT YOU. WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE OUR BABIES BEHIND. AND SO WE'RE ASKING YOU TO TAKE A STRONG LOOK AT THE PROPOSAL THAT'S BEEN PUT BEFORE YOU AND THE COMMITMENT THAT IS NEEDED TO DO IT. WE'RE NOT IN THIS ALONE. WE NEED YOU. AND SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE TAMPA BAY ACADEMY OF HOPE HAS A BOARD MEMBER, CHUCK WINSHIP, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF BEEF O'BRADY'S, OUTBACK, WE HAVE USF ON OUR BOARD, WE HAVE AVIA. WE HAVE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. EVANS, COULD YOU WRAP IT UP, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND STOP THERE, MADAM CHAIR, BECAUSE I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU'VE DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE'VE SPOKEN ON MANY OCCASIONS, AND I'VE SEEN THAT WORK AND IT'S BEEN OUTSTANDING. IT'S THE KIND OF WORK THAT, AS -- YOU MENTIONED THE WORD "REAL" GRASS-ROOT WORK THAT WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND THROUGHOUT THIS STATE, AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT WE DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO TRY TO ATTEMPT TO FUND THIS PROJECT. YOU KNOW, IT'S TOUGH WHEN YOU'RE -- IT'S TOUGH WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN, YOU'RE TRYING TO GRAB DOLLARS HERE AND THERE, AND I KNOW WHAT THAT'S LIKE, SO WE WILL DO OUR BEST, OUR VERY BEST THIS YEAR TO SEE IF WE CAN FIND -- THE RESOURCES, YOU KNOW, ARE PRETTY, YOU KNOW, SLIM, AND I THINK YOU KNOW THAT. >> YES. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: BUT WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN TO SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME RESOURCES FOR YOU. >> SENATOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. EVANS, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES AND GO ON RECORD AS SAYING I DID SPONSOR THE CBR LAST YEAR, AND WE WERE SUCCESSFUL, BUT THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT, SO WE'VE GOT TO WORK AT THAT LEVEL ALSO, AND DO KNOW THAT WE'LL BE FIGHTING FOR YOU AGAIN. AND I DID SEE THE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ON CHANNEL 13 THE OTHER NIGHT LAUDING THE PROGRAM AND ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I COMMEND YOU AND THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NOW WE'LL HAVE MS. JUDY LISI FROM THE TAMPA BAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. I DON'T BELIEVE SHE'S HERE. JULIE BLUNKOSKY FROM THE GIRLS ADVOCACY PROJECT. >> HI. HOW ARE YOU-ALL TODAY? GOOD MORNING. MY NAME'S JULIE BLUNKOSKY. I'M THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR FOR THE GIRLS ADVOCACY PROJECT, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS GAP, IN ORANGE COUNTY, AND I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR DIRECTOR VICKI LOPEZ LUKIS IN LIEU OF OUR FUNDING REQUEST THAT IS BEING SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. THE GIRLS ADVOCACY PROJECT WAS INITIATED IN 1999 BY JUDGE CINDY LEDERMAN OF THE 11th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT IN MIAMI- DADE COUNTY. THAT SAME YEAR GAP BEGAN SERVING GIRLS IN THE MIAMI-DADE DETENTION CENTER. IN MAY 2006 GAP WAS FEATURED ON "NIGHTLINE" ON A SPECIAL ABOUT GIRLS IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, WE EXPANDED OUR PROGRAM TO INCLUDE DETENTION CENTERS IN ORLANDO, FT. MYERS, AND WEST PALM, AND NEXT FISCAL YEAR WE ARE HOPING TO EXPAND TO HILLSBOROUGH AND JACKSONVILLE DETENTION CENTERS. GAP IS THE ONLY COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION, EDUCATION, AND PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR GIRLS IN DETENTION, AND AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, WE HAVE A CRISIS WITH GIRLS IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. OUR FOCUS IS ON EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING GIRLS TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES IN THEIR LIFE TO AVOID FUTURE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, AND WE FEEL THAT WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AT DOING THIS. EACH OF OUR EXPANSION SITES HAS A GAP FACILITATOR WHO IS KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE AREA OF DELINQUENCY AND TRAINED ON ISSUES PERTINENT TO GIRLS IN DETENTION. THE GAP FACILITATOR MEETS WITH THE GIRLS FIVE DAYS A WEEK TO CONDUCT GROUP SESSIONS AND ONE-ON-ONE INTERVENTIONS AND ADVOCACY. IN ADDITION, GAP HAS PARTNERED WITH LOCAL JUNIOR LEAGUE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS WHILE THEY ARE DETAINED. CURRENTLY IN ORLANDO GAP HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH VOLUNTEERS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES BOTH IN DETENTION AND HOPEFULLY IN THE COMMUNITY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2006/2007, GAP EXPANDED TWO DETENTION CENTERS IN FT. MYERS, ORLANDO, AND WEST PALM. THAT EXPANSION RECEIVED $775,000 IN NONRECURRING FUNDS FROM THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH INCLUDED START-UP FUNDS TO PURCHASE FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER OFFICE SUPPLIES REQUIRED TO SET UP OFFICES AND FOR EMPLOYEE CONTRACTUAL EXPENSES. THE PROGRAM DID NOT RECEIVE START-UP FUNDS FROM DJJ UNTIL DECEMBER 2006 WHEN IT THEN HIRED OUR THREE FACILITATORS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2007/2008, GAP EXPANSION RECEIVED 500,000 IN NONRECURRING FUNDS FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM IN THE THREE EXPANSION SITES. SINCE FEBRUARY 1st OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE SERVED APPROXIMATELY 1200 FEMALE YOUTH IN DETENTION. THE GAP EXPANSION EFFORT CURRENTLY RECEIVES $500,000 BUT WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO HILLSBOROUGH AND DUVAL COUNTIES. A MINIMUM OF 150,000 WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR EACH NEW LOCATION, AND 500,000 IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE OUR CURRENT PROGRAMS IN OUR THREE SITES, FOR A TOTAL FUNDING REQUEST OF $800,000. THE NEED FOR GENDER-SPECIFIC SERVICES FOR GIRLS IN DETENTION IS INDICATED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY REPORT. AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU -- I'M SURE YOU'RE INTERESTED IN OUR OUTCOMES -- TO PLEASE ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. THANKS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU SO MUCH. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. AS REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER SAID A FEW MINUTES AGO WITH THE CENTER OVER -- THE JEWISH CENTER OVER IN ST. PETERSBURG, WE OUGHT TO EXPORT GOOD IDEAS. THIS IS A GREAT IDEA THAT'S BEING DONE DOWN IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA THAT'S NOW TRYING TO BE EXPORTED TO THIS AREA, AND AS MANY OF US KNOW THE PROBLEMS WE'RE HAVING WITH OUR FEMALES IN DETENTION, AND SO THIS IS A GREAT DIVERSION PROGRAM. IT WILL SAVE US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN, AND FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE GIRLS TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL, IT TAKES A LOT OF PROBLEMS OFF OF US LATER ON, SO I WOULD ASK YOUR SUPPORT. I THINK SENATOR CRIST AND SENATOR JOYNER HAVE SUPPORTED IT IN THE PAST, AND SENATOR ATWATER IS SPONSORING IT IN THE SENATE FOR ME. ACTUALLY, I'M SPONSORING IT IN THE HOUSE FOR HIM. [LAUGHTER] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: SENATOR JOYNER AND I BOTH SERVE ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. IN FACT, I CHAIR IT IN THE SENATE. WE WERE VERY PLEASED TO FUND YOU IN YEARS PAST BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE RECORD THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS PUT FORTH, AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THE GIRLS, AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, ONE OF THE AREAS THE STATE HAS FALLEN SHORT ON IN THE PAST IS PROVIDING SERVICES AND DIVERSION FOR YOUNG LADIES IN THE PROCESS. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: AND DO KNOW THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU. >> THANKS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: PREGNANCY CARE CENTER OF PLANT CITY, MARY ALICE HENDRICKS. FLORIDA COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION, CLINTON MUELLER. MR. EDGAR BERGMAN, THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION. THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NIKKI DANIELS. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I AM, BUT LET ME FINISH OUT THIS. >> GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME SOME TIME TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS MORNING. I APPRECIATE THAT. I ALSO WANT TO START WITH THANKING SENATOR JOYNER, SENATOR CRIST, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, AND REPRESENTATIVE SCIONTI FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER. WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU BEING ON OUR SIDE AND GOING TO BAT FOR US. JUST WANTED TO KIND OF SAY THAT I THINK IT'S ESPECIALLY RELEVANT THAT I'M ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. WE JUST THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY HAD OUR FIFTH WOMAN KILLED IN THE LAST TWO AND A HALF MONTHS IN OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WHO WAS KILLED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER, SO THERE'S NO MORE, I THINK, TELLING EVIDENCE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS TO ADJUST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO SERVE AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE STATE, AND OF COURSE, THAT'S THE ROLE FOR THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER. WE HAVE CURRENTLY 20 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS ON-SITE WITH US AND 35 DIFFERENT -- I'M SORRY -- 20 DIFFERENT AGENCIES ON-SITE WITH US AND 35 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WE OFFER TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE'VE BEEN OPEN JUST OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE SERVED OVER 2,000 FAMILIES, SO CLEARLY THE NEED IS THERE, AND PEOPLE ARE FINDING US, AND WE HOPE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE FIND US AND CAN GET THOSE SUPPORTS. AND OUR ROLE REALLY IS AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOW CAN WE HELP COORDINATE ALL THESE DIFFERENT SERVICES SO PEOPLE CAN GET WHAT THEY NEED INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO ALL OVER TOWN TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND DIFFERENT BUREAUCRACIES. THEY CAN COME TO ONE LOCATION AND GET EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED ALL IN ONE PLACE. WE WERE ORIGINALLY FUNDED BY THE PRESIDENT'S FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER INITIATIVE. THERE WERE 15 SITES IN THE COUNTRY THAT WERE CHOSEN TO START FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS. HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS THE ONLY ONE IN FLORIDA. THE NEXT CLOSEST ONE IS ACTUALLY IN TENNESSEE, SO THERE'S NOTHING ELSE VERY CLOSE TO US, AND OF COURSE, OUR ROLE IS PRIMARILY TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES BUT ALSO TO SERVE AS A MODEL FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES IN OUR STATE WHO WOULD LIKE TO START FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS. WE WERE DESIGNED TO KIND OF BE THAT ROLE MODEL, BE ABLE TO HELP PROVIDE SOME TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO START SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, SO I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS SESSION. I KNOW IT'S A ROUGH YEAR, BUT WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP US AS WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU -- >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: -- MS. DANIELS. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN, AND I WILL BE VERY BRIEF. I'M ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IMPRESSED ME IS WHEN I BECAME A MEMBER OF THE FUTURE FLORIDA FAMILIES COMMISSION UNDER REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO'S COMMITTEE, THEY SHOWED US A CHART OF AGENCIES THAT HELP OUT PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP, AND IT LOOKED LIKE A SPAGHETTI CHART. IF YOU TOOK WET SPAGHETTI AND HELD IT UP, IT GOES IN ALL DIRECTIONS, AND PEOPLE NEEDING HELP HAD TO GO TO ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS TO GET THE HELP THEY NEEDED. IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE YOU DON'T HAVE A SECOND CHANCE. IF THAT SPOUSE WANTS TO HARM YOU, THEY'RE GOING TO FIND YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GO TO 20 DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO GET HELP. WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, THE AGENCIES ARE THERE WAITING TO HELP YOU. IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT CONCEPT AND IT'S ANOTHER CONCEPT THAT SHOULD BE TRANSFORMED THROUGHOUT THE STATE, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO GET -- THEY'VE ONLY BEEN IN OPERATION ONE YEAR NOW. THEY'VE HELPED OVER 2,000 PEOPLE. THERE IS A LOT OF HELP NEEDED. THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. I REQUEST THIS COMMITTEE'S SUPPORT AND THE DELEGATION'S SUPPORT ON THIS BILL, AND I'M SPONSORING IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. JUDY LISI, PRESIDENT OF THE TAMPA BAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. >> THANK YOU, AND GOOD MORNING. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LONG DAY AHEAD OF YOU, AND I WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW OF YOUR PRECIOUS MINUTES. I WANT TO THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, FOR YOUR PAST SUPPORT. AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, THE TAMPA BAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS THE LARGEST ARTS INSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, A $45-MILLION BUDGET, $100-MILLION LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT, BUT TO GIVE YOU A LARGER PICTURE, THE ARTS IN FLORIDA ARE A $3- MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD LOOK AT THE ARTS AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ECONOMIC SECTOR. SO MANY TIMES IT'S EASY TO LOOK AT THE ARTS AS NOT NECESSARY. I PROMISE YOU THEY ARE. WE HAVE THREE GRANTS THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN FOR THIS YEAR. ONE WE WERE FULLY AWARDED LAST YEAR AND IT WAS NOT FUNDED. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. OUR BACK STAGE IS JUST DETERIORATING VERY, VERY RAPIDLY. WE'RE A 20-YEAR-OLD FACILITY RIGHT NOW, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP THIS THE PRIDE OF TAMPA BAY AND A STATE-OF- THE-ART FACILITY. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO EXPAND. ONE OF OUR GRANTS IS TO EXPAND -- ADOPT THE METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES' NEW CHARTER SCHOOL. IT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE, BUT THEY ARE STRUGGLING, AND THEY REALLY NEED THE ARTS TO GIVE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AN UPLIFT AND HOPE. I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY MORE TIME, BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT IN LONDON DURING THE BLITZ, THE ONE THING THAT WINSTON CHURCHILL KEPT OPEN WERE THE THEATERS BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT THE CITIZENS NEEDED THE ARTS TO KEEP THEM HOPEFUL AND TO KNOW THAT THEY HAD A FUTURE, AND ALSO, AFTER 9/11, THE FIRST THING THAT MAYOR GIULIANI DID WAS TO OPEN THE THEATERS. THEY ARE ESSENTIAL, AND I JUST HOPE YOU WILL LOOK AT THEM WITH THE IMPORTANCE THAT YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING ELSE, AND YOU HAVE SUCH A CHALLENGE, I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW I FEEL FOR YOU, BUT I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE ARTS AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF OUR GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. LISI, AND DO KNOW THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCE, AND WE MUST HAVE ARTS IN OUR LIFE. AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I REALLY ENJOYED THE OPENING KICKOFF OF THE ROCKETTES LAST NIGHT. [LAUGHTER] BECKI FORSELL, YES! OF AMERICA, UNITED, INC. WOULD PETER BANKS, KELLEIGH KLEIN, AND PEG REESE BE ON DECK BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO FINISH OUT THIS PAGE. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: GOOD MORNING. >> SENATOR JOYNER, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, AND THE FULL HILLSBOROUGH DELEGATION, YES! OF AMERICA UNITED AND MYSELF ARE SO PROUD TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY AGAIN FOR THE THIRD YEAR. I HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE WITH YOU. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, YES! OF AMERICA UNITED HAS MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON NOT ONLY THE LIVES OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS WITH DISABILITIES BUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE LEVERAGED THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED AND PARTNERED WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND SAVED MONEY AND HAVE ALLOWED US TO EXPAND AND OPEN TWO NEW SITES HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. AT YES! OF AMERICA UNITED WE HAVE BEEN GOOD STEWARDS OF THE FUNDING THAT -- AND THIS APPROACH WITH PARTNERING HAS BEEN A REAL SUCCESS FOR US IN REACHING MORE PEOPLE IN A POSITIVE MESSAGE THAT YES, I CAN. IN FACT, OUR MESSAGE IS SPREADING ACROSS THE STATE AND HOPEFULLY HAVING NEW PARTNERS IN GAINESVILLE AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS THIS YEAR, YES! WAS THE LARGEST GROUP REPRESENTED AT FAMILY CAFE. IT'S A STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ON LIVING WITH DISABILITY. YES! CONTINUES TO PROVIDE COMPUTER CLASSES, LIFE SKILL, AND ADVOCACY CLASSES. OUR ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE HEARTSTRINGS, FLORIDA ORCHESTRA, TAMPA YANKEES, AND OTHERS HAVE PROVIDED PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND WELCOMED IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY PURSUED GRANTS FROM CHRISTOPHER REEVE'S FOUNDATION, THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CHILDREN'S BOARD, AND BANK ATLANTIC. IN ADDITION, I HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO A NATIONAL TASK FORCE FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION ON AGING, DISABILITY, AND THE WORKFORCE, ALONG WITH BEING APPOINTED TO THE FLORIDA INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL AS THE MEMBER OF LARGE, THE FLORIDA OUTREACH PROJECT ON DEAF AND BLIND ADVISORY BOARD, AND THE VOLUNTEER FLORIDA DISABILITY COUNCIL. IT IS JUST NOT ME WHO IS BEING RECOGNIZED. MANY OF OUR YES! MEMBERS SERVE LOCALLY ON BOARDS, COMMITTEES, TASK FORCES. THIS IS WHAT YES! DOES. IT EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND THIS HAS BEEN POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU HAVE GIVEN US OUR YOUR SUPPORT, AND WE CONTINUE TO NEED THIS FUNDING. THAT IS WHY I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY ASKING YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YES! OF AMERICA UNITED IN OUR COMMUNITY BUDGET OF $150,000. YES! CAN PROVIDE OUTREACH AND AWARENESS, SERVICES TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ACROSS THE STATE. WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND OUR REPRESENTATIVES, OUR SPONSORS, KEVIN AMBLER AND VICTOR CRIST, AND OUR EXPANDING OF OUR GRANTS, YES! WILL PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES. RIGHT NOW I'D LIKE OUR YES! MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL HERE -- NOT ALL OF US GOT TO BE HERE -- TO PLEASE STAND BECAUSE WE WANT TO THANK YOU. THIS -- THESE ARE YOUR PEOPLE, AND WE'RE TRYING REALLY HARD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. FORSELL. [APPLAUSE] MR. PETER BANKS FROM THE BRANDON SPORTS AND AQUATIC CENTER. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PETER BANKS. I'M WITH THE BRANDON SPORTS AND AQUATIC CENTER. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. I COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING TO BASICALLY PRESENT OUR REASON FOR APPLYING FOR THIS $200,000 IS WE HAVE SERVED THE BRANDON COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST 44 YEARS. WE'RE A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS PROVIDE SPORTS AND AQUATICS AND FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES OF EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. WE HAVE -- IN THE LAST 44 YEARS HAVE PARTNERED WITH MANY, MANY GROUPS IN THE AREA TO PROVIDE THESE FACILITIES. AS I SAID, WE ARE 44 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THESE FACILITIES FOR THE NEXT 44 YEARS, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND WHY I'M COMING HERE BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE A -- UPDATED FACILITIES FOR OUR YOUTH AND OUR FAMILIES OF THE EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THE NEXT YEAR IS TRY AND UPDATE OUR AQUATICS FACILITY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST MAJOR EXPENSES WE HAVE OF THIS AQUATICS FACILITY IS THE HEATING OF THE FACILITY, WHICH COSTS APPROXIMATELY $60,000 A YEAR TO HEAT IT BY NATURAL GAS. WE'RE PROPOSING TO PROVIDE A SYMBIAN GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM TO HELP PROVIDE HEATING FOR OUR FACILITY. IT IS A -- BASICALLY A COMPONENT THAT WILL HELP US PROVIDE AT A MUCH LESS COST TO THE FACILITY, SAVINGS OF ABOUT $40,000 A YEAR, AND THAT MONEY THAT WE USE WOULD GO BACK INTO THE FACILITY AND GO BACK INTO WHAT WE WANT TO TRY AND PROVIDE BETTER FACILITIES FOR OUR MEMBERS AND OUR FACILITIES. WE HOPE THAT THIS GRANT WILL BE -- COME WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. AS I SAY, LAST YEAR WE SPENT $60,000 ON OUR HEATING OF OUR POOL. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO RUN THE POOL, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND FACILITIES FOR SWIM LESSONS FOR CHILDREN, FOR -- WE PROVIDE THE SWIMMING AND SAFETY TRAINING FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THOSE THINGS. WE PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLS, AQUATICS FACILITIES FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLS, SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THESE THINGS AND TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THE -- SO IN THE NEXT -- IN THE NEXT YEAR, OUR FUNDRAISING COMMITMENTS FROM OUR LOCAL CHARITY AND DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT COME AND HELP US HAVE BEEN HELPING TO PROVIDE SOME OF THESE FACILITIES, BUT WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS GRANT WILL BE ABLE TO COME AND BASICALLY HELP US OUT AND AGAIN MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE FACILITIES FOR THE NEXT NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE BRANDON AREA. SO I HOPE THAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES CAN BRING THIS FORWARD AND HELP US PROVIDE THESE FACILITIES. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. BANKS. THANK YOU, MR. BANKS. SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MR. BANKS, YOU'RE BEING TOO MODEST IN DESCRIBING THE ACTIVITIES AT THE BRANDON SPORTS AND AQUATIC CENTER. MEMBERS, YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE, BUT THIS IS AN OLYMPIC FACILITY -- TRAINING FACILITY. SEVERAL OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS HAVE TRAINED AT THIS FACILITY, INCLUDING, YOU MAY REMEMBER, BROOKE BENNETT AND SEVERAL OTHERS THAT MR. BANKS COULD TELL YOU OF. IT'S THE ONLY OLYMPIC -- FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS WAS THE ONLY OLYMPIC-SIZE POOL, SO DIVERS AND SWIMMERS COULD COME AND TRAIN. THEY ALSO PROVIDE MINORITY OUTREACH FOR SWIMMING LESSONS, THEY DO THE TRAINING FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND IT'S JUST AN EXTRAORDINARY FACILITY AND CERTAINLY NOT WELL-KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY'RE BUSY OUT THERE TRAINING PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WHERE WE HAVE SO MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY SWIMMING LESSONS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FACILITY, AND ALSO FOR NATIONAL COMPETITIONS IT CERTAINLY IS, AND SO IT'S HARD FOR THOSE OLYMPIC SWIMMERS, I SUPPOSE, TO DIVE INTO A 50-DEGREE OR LOWER WATER. >> YEAH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: JUST A MOMENT. THANK YOU, SENATOR STORMS. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO HAS A COMMENT. >>RICH GLORIOSO: I JUST WANT TO MAKE A BRIEF COMMENT TOO. IT'S A WELL-KEPT SECRET IN BRANDON OF WHAT THAT FACILITY IS, AND IF YOU HAVE SOME TIME AND WANT TO GO VISIT IT, YOU WILL BE AMAZED. I WAS INTRODUCED TO IT BY MY NEIGHBOR, TOM GUMPH, WHO WAS A MEDAL WINNER IN THE OLYMPICS IN DIVING BACK IN THE '60s, AND HE WAS TAKING ME OVER THERE AND SHOWING ME AROUND. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THE PEOPLE THAT TRAIN THERE AND THE THINGS THAT THEY DO, SO I WOULD ASK YOUR SUPPORT, AND ALSO, IT'S GREEN, FOLKS, IT'S REALLY GREEN. IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF NATURAL GAS AND A LOT OF CO2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE, SO ANYWAY, THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, AND THANK YOU ALSO MR. BANKS. NOW WE'LL HAVE MS. KELLEIGH KLEIN, UNITED FOOD BANK AND SERVICES OF PLANT CITY. AND PEG REESE, IF YOU'RE HERE. OKAY. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KELLEIGH KLEIN, AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED FOOD BANK AND SERVICES OF PLANT CITY. I'D LIKE TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO AND SENATOR STORMS FOR SUPPORTING US IN THE CBR REQUEST THIS YEAR FOR $500,000 FOR THE UNITED FOOD BANK EXPANSION PROJECT. JUST A COUPLE QUICK NOTES ABOUT THE FOOD BANK. THE MISSION OF THE FOOD BANK IS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE NEEDY IN MOVING INDIVIDUALS FROM A STATE OF HUNGER AND IMPOVERISHMENT TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, EMPOWERMENT, AND SELF- RELIANCE. WE'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR EIGHT YEARS ALMOST TO THE DATE, AND SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING OVER 47,000 CLIENTS. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS WE ARE SERVING ABOUT 6- TO 7,000 INDIVIDUALS. WE BEGAN A SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM -- SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM A COUPLE SUMMERS AGO WHERE WE DO PROVIDE FOOD FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH. LAST SUMMER WE DID SERVE OVER 2,000 SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY IS THAT A LOT OF THESE CHILDREN WHEN THEY ATTEND SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, THE ONLY MEALS THAT THEY'RE RECEIVING ARE WHAT THEY GET AT SCHOOL, AND SO IN THE SUMMER WE FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THAT EXTENDED SERVICE TO THEM SO THAT WE ARE GUARANTEEING THAT THEY'RE AT LEAST PROVIDED FOR TWO MEALS A DAY. WE HAVE A THREE-TIME LIMIT AT THE FOOD BANK EXCEPT IN HARDSHIP CASES BECAUSE WE FEEL THIS HELPS US TO MAINTAIN ACCOUNTABILITY AS WELL AS THE INDIVIDUALS COMING THROUGH. WE DO OFFER A HAND UP, WE DO NOT OFFER A HANDOUT, SO WE DO HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SENT TO US BY REFERRAL ONLY. SOME OF THE REFERRING AGENCIES INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, THE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CENTER, HOSPICE, THE SPRING, CHILDNET, ELDERLINK, EAST HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS, SOUTH FLORIDA BAPTIST HOSPITAL, LOCAL CHURCHES AND MORE. THE VISION OF THE UNITED FOOD BANK OF PLANT CITY IS TO STAMP OUT HUNGER IN EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. NOW, WE DO -- THAT'S OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREA; HOWEVER, WE DO RECEIVE CLIENTS FROM ALL OVER HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AS WELL AS WE DO HAVE SOME THAT COME IN FROM PASCO AND POLK COUNTY AS WELL. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THE TRULY NEEDY BY OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT, JOB SKILLS, JOB READINESS, AND ENHANCING LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, WHICH, THEREFORE, WILL HAVE AN EFFECT, IMPACTING OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THE EXPANSION PROJECT IS -- WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO WITH THAT IS TO ALLOW US TO EXPAND FROM THE 1,000 SQUARE FEET THAT WE CURRENTLY WORK IN WITH THREE STAFF MEMBERS AND A GREAT SUPPORT TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS -- WE'D LIKE TO EXPAND THE AREA THAT WE'RE WORKING IN SO THAT WE CAN ALSO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL SERVICES IN ADDITION TO THE FOOD THAT WE ARE PROVIDING TO THE CLIENTS THAT COME IN. AS I SAID EARLIER, WE PROVIDE A HAND UP, NOT A HANDOUT. WE'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN HELPING TO TEACH PEOPLE TO FISH FOR THEMSELVES AND TO BE ABLE TO REENTER THE JOB FORCE OR TO ENTER THE JOB FORCE -- THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. KLEIN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MS. PEG REESE FROM MARY LEE'S HOUSE. >> THANK YOU, AND GOOD MORNING. I'M PEG REESE, DIRECTOR OF MARY LEE'S HOUSE CHILD PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY CENTER. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ABOUT OUR APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST OF $900,000 FOR ONE-TIME CAPITAL FUNDS. NOT A DAY GOES BY WITHOUT A STORY IN THE NEWSPAPER OR ON TELEVISION OF SOME DREADFUL INSTANCE OF CHILD VICTIMIZATION IN OUR COMMUNITY. THESE STORIES ARE NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS. IN FACT, RIGHT HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MORE THAN 15,000 CASES OF CHILD ABUSE ARE REPORTED EACH YEAR. MORE THAN 3,200 CASES ARE CONFIRMED. ALMOST 40% OF VICTIMS ARE UNDER SIX YEARS OF AGE AND 75% OF CHILD VICTIMS ARE NOT IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, THEY ARE COMMUNITY KIDS, IF YOU WILL. BUT DESPITE THE GREATEST OF EFFORT AND BEST OF INTENTIONS AMONG THOSE WHO RESPOND TO CHILD VICTIMS, INVESTIGATORS, LAWYERS, JUDGES, AND OTHER COURT PERSONNEL, FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, DOCTORS, AND NURSES, THE SYSTEM IS FRAGMENTED, INEFFICIENT, SOMETIMES EVEN HARMFUL TO CHILDREN. ALL TOO OFTEN UNDER CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES CHILDREN ARE UNABLE TO COOPERATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. VALUABLE INFORMATION MAY BE LOST. CHILD VICTIMS ARE TRAUMATIZED AGAIN BY THE VERY SYSTEMS INTENDED TO HELP THEM, AND ABUSERS GO FREE; HOWEVER, THERE IS A SOLUTION, A PROVEN MODEL THAT EXISTS IN HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THE MODEL WE ARE IMPLEMENTING IS A COORDINATED ONE-STOP SHOP FOR CHILD VICTIMS TO INTERFACE WITH JUDICIAL, LEGAL, MEDICAL, AND SERVICE AGENCIES, AND FOR THESE AGENCIES TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH EACH OTHER TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND PUNISH PERPETRATORS. IT IS A MODEL THAT ALL OUR KEY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CHILD PROTECTION AGENCIES HAVE ENDORSED FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AMONG THOSE SIGNING A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY CENTER IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE THE 13th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF, USF DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, THE CHILDREN'S BOARD, HILLSBOROUGH KIDS, SUNCOAST DCF, AND THE HEALTHY STAR COALITION. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT. WE HAVE RAISED $4 MILLION OF THE NEEDED $6 MILLION TO COMPLETE THE CENTER. 85% OF THESE FUNDS HAVE COME FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE NEED STATE FUNDS TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT. NOW, WHAT CAN WE DELIVER TO YOU AND TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN RETURN FOR THESE FUNDS? EFFICIENCY; INVESTIGATIONS WILL COST ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS LESS PER CASE. COST-EFFECTIVENESS; WE WILL BE SELF-SUSTAINING, GENERATING REVENUE THROUGH LEASES WITH PARTNER AGENCIES. JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN; WE WILL MORE EFFECTIVELY PUNISH PERPETRATORS, AS STUDIES SHOW PLACES LIKE MARY LEE'S HOUSE LEAD TO MORE CASES BROUGHT AGAINST CRIMINALS, MORE CHARGES FILED, INCREASED CONVICTION RATES, AND IMPORTANTLY, FEWER TRIALS, AS MORE PERPETRATORS PLEAD GUILTY IN THE FACE OF BETTER EVIDENCE WE WILL OBTAIN. AND SAFETY FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN. PERPETRATORS MOST OFTEN DO NOT VICTIMIZE JUST ONE CHILD. PUNISHING THESE OFFENDERS PROTECTS EVERY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS DELEGATION WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR REQUEST LAST YEAR. WE THANK YOU FOR THAT, AND WE HOPE WE CAN COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT AGAIN THIS YEAR. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. REESE. WE WILL GIVE IT EVERY CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE WILL NOW REVERT TO THE ORIGINAL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, AND WE'LL START OUT WITH LOCAL BILL NUMBER 1 BY REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIRMAN. LOCAL BILL 1, BY WAY OF SOME BACKGROUND FOR THE MEMBERS I'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN, IS REALLY BEST DESCRIBED AS A LOCAL GOVERNANCE REORGANIZATION BILL ON A COUPLE OF MATTERS. MOST OF YOU WERE HERE LAST YEAR WHEN THIS BILL ORIGINALLY CAME UP, SO WE'VE ALREADY HAD SOME DISCUSSION, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE AND LAY OUT SOME BACKGROUND, AND THERE'S PROBABLY A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL AS PROBABLY EVEN ON THIS DAIS ABOUT WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T, BUT I'M GOING TO PREFACE MY REMARKS BY SAYING THIS: THIS LAST YEAR I WAS TASKED BY OUR SPEAKER DESIGNATE, RAY SAMPSON, TO BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE SUNSET REVIEW COMMITTEE, AND SO A YEAR AGO I STARTED THINKING ABOUT THAT RESPONSIBILITY, AND IT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROMPTED ME TO RAISE THIS ISSUE LAST YEAR AND WHY I'M BRINGING IT UP AGAIN THIS YEAR. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE MEMBERS HERE ON THIS DAIS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH AND THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND THE POLICY OBJECTIVES AT HAND. IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK SYSTEMICALLY AT ANY ORGANIZATION ON THE STATEWIDE LEVEL ON THAT SUNSET REVIEW COMMITTEE, THEN WE'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE HARD DECISIONS TO MAKE, AND DOING IT AT A STATE LEVEL IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WELL, THIS IS A FIRST RUN, FIRST EXAMPLE OF TRYING TO TAKE A LOOK AT A SYSTEMIC LEVEL AT HOW WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE WORK OF OUR DELEGATION AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES WE HAVE WITHIN OUR 25% MICROCOSM OF THE STATE, AND THE CHALLENGE I GIVE TO EACH ONE OF YOU MEMBERS IS THIS, IS THAT WE CAN'T BE AFRAID TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS. THAT'S WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO, AND SOMETIMES THE HARDEST THING IN THIS BUSINESS IS GOING AGAINST THE STATUS QUO. THE STATUS QUO HAS A HUGE VESTED INTEREST IN KEEPING THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE, AND THE STATUS QUO WILL ALWAYS BUCK BACK AND RESIST THE ELEMENTS OF CHANGE, AND THE SUNSET REVIEW PROCESS IS JUST THAT, IT'S LOOKING AT CHANGE AND DECIDING WHETHER WE HAVE ANACHRONISTIC WAYS OF DOING THINGS, WHETHER THE HISTORICAL WAYS AND THE REASONS FOR SOMETHING BEING SET UP THE WAY IT WAS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO ARE STILL JUSTIFIED TODAY, THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH THAT SELF-EVALUATION, THAT INTROSPECTION OF WHETHER IT'S A LOCAL COMMISSION OR A STATEWIDE AGENCY AS BIG AS THE DEPARTMENT OF EPC -- OR DEP, WHICH IS ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS UP FOR SUNSET REVIEW THAT WE'LL BE FACING. WE HAVE TEN MAJOR AGENCIES THAT ARE UP FOR SUNSET REVIEW, WHETHER YOU GUYS REALIZE THAT OR NOT. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GOING TO BE HITTING OUR DESK AS EARLY AS THE END OF FEBRUARY. SENATOR STORMS IS SERVING WITH ME ON THAT COMMITTEE. AND WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT WHOLESALE SYSTEMIC CHANGES AND THE WAY OF DOING BUSINESS FOR ORGANIZATIONS AS LARGE AS THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; THE DEP; ALL FIVE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS; THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY, SAFETY, AND MOTOR VEHICLES; THE FISH AND WILDLIFE; THE CITRUS COMMISSION. I MEAN, THESE ARE HUGE UNDERTAKINGS, SO I POINT THIS OUT BECAUSE WHAT I'M ABOUT TO DISCUSS WITH YOU TODAY IS REALLY A MICROCOSM OF THAT MUCH LARGER VIEW OF THE HUGE DECISIONS CONFRONTING US OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS THAT I WILL TELL YOU, AT LEAST FOR THE HOUSE MEMBERS SITTING HERE, ARE A PRIORITY OF OUR SPEAKER DESIGNATE THAT WE'D BE BRAVE TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS, SO LOCAL BILL 1 SEEKS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE OF TWO COMPONENTS WITHIN OUR COUNTY. ONE IS THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY, AND THE OTHER ONE IS THE EPC. ORIGINALLY THE BILL ALSO INCLUDED THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND I HAVE AN AMENDMENT IN MY PACKET, WHICH WE CAN TAKE UP -- I HOPE WE CAN JUST TAKE CARE OF SUMMARILY BECAUSE MY AMENDMENT WOULD ELIMINATE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH WAS A MATTER OF CONSIDERABLE CONTROVERSY. WE'LL DEFER THAT FOR A LATER TIME BECAUSE I THINK IT'S BETTER TO TAKE OFF WHAT IS A BITE-SIZE ISSUE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DEBATE TODAY, SO WE'LL REMOVE THAT FROM THE TABLE. I'M NOT SAYING IT'S FOREVER OFF THERE, FOR FUTURE YEAR DISCUSSIONS, BUT WITH THE BOARD'S CONSENT, I'D LIKE TO AT LEAST PUT AMENDMENT 1 ON THERE SO WE CAN FRAME THE ISSUE TO TALK ABOUT THE TWO COUNCILS THAT ARE INTENDED TO BE NOW PART OF LOCAL BILL 1. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. SO REPRESENTATIVE -- REPRESENTATIVE CULP, YOU HAVE A QUESTION? >>FAYE CULP: QUESTION. YOU SAID THE AMENDMENT WOULD ELIMINATE THE PLANNING COMMISSION. >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO, FROM -- >>FAYE CULP: YOU DON'T MEAN ELIMINATE THE -- YOU JUST MEAN -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: LET ME CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR THE MEMBERS HERE, THE AMENDMENT TO LOCAL BILL 1 WOULD EXCLUDE THE -- THE PLANNING COMMISSION FROM CONSIDERATION OF THIS GOVERNANCE DEBATE THAT WE'RE HAVING. IN OTHER WORDS, IT WOULD JUST PUT IT OFF THE TABLE AND REMOVE THAT FROM OUR DISCUSSION AND LEAVE IT ALONE. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION OF LOCAL BILL 1. DOES THAT HELP CLARIFY IT? >>FAYE CULP: YES. >>KEVIN AMBLER: OKAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: ONLY THE SPONSOR KNOWS WHETHER OR NOT HE HAS SUPPORT OR NOT TO PASS THIS LEGISLATION, BUT FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE, WE NEED NOT BE PIECEMEAL POLICYMAKING HERE. ULTIMATELY THE DECISION SHOULD BE ACROSS THE BOARD COLLECTIVELY WHAT KIND OF CHEMISTRY SHOULD BE CULTIVATED FOR THESE BOARDS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED STATUTORILY TO OPERATE WITHIN THIS COUNTY, AND, YOU KNOW, TIMES HAVE CHANGED SINCE THESE BOARDS WERE CREATED BUT THEIR MISSIONS HAVE REMAINED THE SAME, SO ULTIMATELY, IF WE'RE GOING TO CULTIVATE POLICY, THEN LET'S DO THAT POLICY ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE BOARD. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THANK YOU. AND SENATOR CRIST, I APPRECIATE THAT APPROACH, AND TYPICALLY, THAT WOULD BE MY APPROACH TOO FOR CONSISTENCY, BUT THERE ARE SOME UNIQUE FACETS ABOUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT DISTINGUISH IT FROM THE TWO THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT AND THAT THE -- THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE UNIQUE ENOUGH AND SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT THEY REALLY BEAR OUT THEIR OWN SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF WHY THE REPRESENTATION AND STRUCTURE ISSUES WOULD TAKE UP THEIR OWN SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND ARE NOT HOMOGENOUS WITH THE RATIONALE AND APPROACH I HAVE FOR THE TWO BOARDS I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY, SO, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES, AS WE KNOW IN THIS PROCESS, WE -- WE START OUT WITH ONE SMALL ISSUE AND IT GROWS AND GROWS, AND YOU CAN KEEP -- AND YOU CAN LOVE A BILL TO DEATH BY ADDING SO MUCH TO IT THAT IT BECOMES SO CONTROVERSIAL THAT YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED. I THINK TODAY, IF WE UNDERSTAND THE HOMOGENY THAT EXISTS TO THE TWO BOARDS AND THE RATIONALE BEHIND THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS AND WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT, THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR STEP FORWARD, AND THEN THE UNIQUE ISSUES THAT ARE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION COULD BE DISCUSSED LATER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN, AND TO ADD TO THE CONVERSATION OF THE CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION ON BEING CONSIDERED, CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WAS CREATED BY SPECIAL ACT, AND WE -- SENATOR JOYNER AND MYSELF, SINCE WE HAVE THE ONLY CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE'VE ASKED THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO DO A STUDY ON THAT PLANNING COMMISSION TO FIND OUT WHETHER IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE STATEWIDE, WHETHER IT'S A BAD IDEA, AND WHAT THE GOVERNANCE SHOULD LOOK LIKE, SO WE'VE ASKED THEM TO DO A STUDY, AND THEY ARE RIGHT NOW DOING A STUDY USING I FORGET WHO IT WAS FROM FSU TO DO A STUDY ON WHETHER THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO TAKE THAT OFF THE TABLE FOR NOW UNTIL THAT STUDY COMES BACK. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS? IF NOT, WE'LL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT -- >> SHE HAS A POINT ON THE AMENDMENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH, I WAS ASKING. SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: I'M GOING TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO -- TO REDACT OUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION. I THINK WE SHOULD DO THE WHOLE THING. I AGREE WITH THE ORIGINAL BILL. I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING, AND SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD JUST GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONSIDERING EVERYTHING. >>KEVIN AMBLER: MAY I RESPOND? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I COMPLETELY RESPECT BOTH SENATORS' APPROACH ON THAT. THE PROBLEM IS THIS: I -- OUT OF RESPECT AND DEFERENCE TO THE REQUEST FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON AND OUR VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THIS BOARD WHO HAVE REQUESTED PRIOR TO THIS MEETING TODAY THE STUDY BE DONE, AND IN DEFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, WHO'S HAD A GREAT DEAL OF INVOLVEMENT AT THE CITY LEVEL ON THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND WITHOUT TRYING TO TAKE UP TOO MUCH OF OUR TIME THIS MORNING DISCUSSING THE PURPOSE OF THAT STUDY AND WHAT THAT STUDY WILL BRING BACK TO US AND WHY THE INFORMATION THAT SENATOR JOYNER AND REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO INDICATE NEED TO SEPARATE IT, I THINK THAT BY INCLUDING IT IN THIS MORNING -- FIRST OF ALL, IT GOES AGAINST MY WORD THAT I SAID I WOULD THROUGH AMENDMENT ATTEMPT TO PULL THAT OUT, AND -- SO WE COULD GET THE INFORMATION BACK ON THE STUDY THAT'S BEING PERFORMED, AND SECONDLY, I'M NOT SO SURE WITH THE INCLUSION OF IT AND ABSENT THAT INFORMATION FROM THE STUDY THAT ITS INCLUSION IN THE BILL WOULDN'T SABOTAGE AND BASICALLY SINK THE ENTIRE BILL WHERE THERE IS GOOD WORK THAT CAN BE DONE WITH RESPECT TO THESE OTHER TWO BOARDS THAT AREN'T AFFECTED BY THAT STUDY, SO THAT'S THE -- THE POLITICAL REALITY, SENATOR STORMS, IS THAT ABSENT THAT STUDY AND IN DEFERENCE TO THE COMMITMENT I MADE TO GETTING THAT FEEDBACK BACK, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE COULD PASS LOCAL BILL 1 WITH THEIR INCLUSION, AND THAT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF TRYING TO TAKE ON AND GET SOME PRODUCTIVE WORK DONE WITH RESPECT TO THE TWO BOARDS THAT ARE NOT UNDER STUDY AND FOR WHICH WE DO HAVE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO FOR A QUESTION. >>BILL GALVANO: YES. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST A PROCEDURAL QUESTION. WE'RE VOTING ON A LOCAL BILL TO PUT IT INTO THE PROCESS. IS THERE REALLY ANYTHING THAT WOULD PREVENT AT SOME POINT DURING THE VETTING THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE DURING THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND SESSION ITSELF THAT THIS ISSUE COULD BE REVISITED, THE AMENDMENT ISSUE? I MEAN, WE COULD STILL -- THERE'S NOTHING TO PREVENT IT FROM COMING BACK AND BEING DISCUSSED LATER JUST BECAUSE WE PULL IT OUT AT THIS POINT. IS THAT CORRECT? YOU CAN AMEND LOCAL BILLS. >> [INAUDIBLE] [INDISCERNIBLE CROSS TALK] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SORRY. REPRESENTATIVE -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: WE'VE GOT TO RESPECT OUR CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THE TITLE OF THE BILL AT PRESENT, I BELIEVE, IS LOCAL BOARD GOVERNANCE. THE THREE BOARDS ARE ALREADY NAMED IN THE TITLE. SO IF WE WERE -- >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] AND THAT WAY IF YOU TRY TO PUT IT BACK IN, IT WOULD -- IT WOULD -- WHATEVER THE CORRECT WORD IS -- DESTROY THE VALUE OF THE TITLE OR THE VALIDITY OF THE TITLE. >>KEVIN AMBLER: OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS OF THE OPINION - - >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: NOW, IT COULD BE ADVERTISED WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN IT AND NOT HARM THE BILL BY TAKING THE PLANNING COMMISSION OUT OF THE BODY OF THE BILL. >>KEVIN AMBLER: AND THEN WE COULD -- AND WHEN THE STUDY COMES BACK -- [INDISCERNIBLE CROSS TALK] >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: ON THE AMENDMENT WHERE IT SAYS -- WHERE IT'S THE TITLE AMENDMENT AND IN THIS AMENDMENT, OMIT THAT SO THAT WE ADVERTISE IT WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THERE, AND THAT WAY IF YOU WANT TO ADD IT BACK LATER, YOU CAN. YOU COULD HAVE MORE IN THE TITLE THAN IN THE BILL, BUT YOU CAN NEVER HAVE MORE IN THE BILL THAN IN THE TITLE ON LOCAL BILLS. >>KEVIN AMBLER: MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: IF I UNDERSTOOD THAT ADVICE OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CANDACE HUNDLEY, CORRECTLY, WHAT WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVE OF SENATOR STORMS AND SENATOR CRIST BUT HONOR THE COMMITMENT I MADE TO WAITING FOR THE STUDY WOULD BE TO MAKE THE AMENDMENT SUCH THAT IT DELETES CONSIDERATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR NOW BUT LEAVES THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THE TITLE OF THE LOCAL BILL SO THAT IF IT -- THE STUDY COMES BACK AND WE CHOOSE AS A DELEGATION TO CONSIDER IT AND ADD IT IN AT A LATER POINT DURING THIS UPCOMING SESSION, WE WOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO DO SO AS OPPOSED TO WAITING A WHOLE 'NOTHER YEAR. SO IT WOULD BE -- I'D MOVE FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT THAT WOULD STRIKE THE LANGUAGE THAT CHANGES THE TITLE OF THE BILL, AND IT WOULD LEAVE THE TITLE JUST AS IT IS, AS PROPOSED, BUT WOULD LEAVE THE EXCLUSION OF THE SUBSTANCE OF CHANGING THE PLANNING COMMISSION RIGHT NOW AS THE SUBSTANCE OF THIS AMENDMENT. >>RONDA STORMS: GOT YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WOULD YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN. >>KEVIN AMBLER: YES. OKAY. THE MOTION IS TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT SUCH THAT BY VOTING FOR THIS AMENDMENT, YOU WOULD BE VOTING TO KEEP THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THE TITLE OF THE BILL, OF LOCAL BILL 1, SO THAT IT COVERS IT IN SCOPE, BUT THE SUBSTANCE OF DOING ANY ACTION TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AT THIS JUNCTURE WOULD BE ELIMINATED. THE NET EFFECT OF THAT WOULD BE IS THAT IF THE STUDY COMES BACK AND INDICATES THERE'S ACTION THAT THE DELEGATION MAY WANT TO TAKE, IT LEAVES IT OPEN FOR US AS A DELEGATION TO MEET DURING THE COURSE OF THE UPCOMING SESSION AND TO HAVE A MEETING AND DISCUSS WHETHER WE WANT TO ADD IN ANY GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE CHANGES, AND WE WOULD BE PERMITTED TO DO SO BECAUSE IT'S EMBODIED WITHIN THE TITLE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAD ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS. FIRST OF ALL, THE QUESTION WAS ASKED, YOU KNOW, THE TIMING ON THE STUDY ITSELF. DO WE HAVE ANY SENSE OF THAT? AND THEN I KNOW THERE WAS A REASON FOR -- FOR PUTTING THIS STUDY IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE -- THE BEST POSSIBLE INFORMATION BEFORE WE MAKE A DECISION, YOU KNOW, IN THE FUTURE, SO I -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS A TWOFOLD QUESTION. COULD YOU RESTATE THE STUDY -- I KNOW YOU MENTIONED IT EARLIER, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, BUT I'D LIKE TO HEAR THE BREADTH OF THE STUDY AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO, BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. SECONDLY I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE TIMING OF THE STUDY, ANY SENSE OF THE TIMING ON THIS STUDY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T BRING THE LETTER WITH ME TODAY THAT WE SENT TO DCA, BUT SECRETARY PELHAM HAS INSTITUTED THEY'VE ALREADY MET WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO DO THE STUDY OUT OF FSU. I DO NOT HAVE A TIME FRAME OTHER THAN I KNOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE STARTING IT RIGHT AWAY. THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY WAS TO LOOK AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION TO SEE IF -- AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE STATE -- AND TO SEE IF IT CAN BE USED AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE STATE, IF IT'S DOING A GOOD JOB; IF IT'S NOT DOING A GOOD JOB, WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE IT; OR SHOULD WE ELIMINATE IT? AND ALSO IN THE STUDY WAS THE GOVERNANCE, HOW SHOULD THE GOVERNANCE BE SET UP IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FOR THE CITY- COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION AND/OR HOW WOULD IT BE SET UP IF IT'S DECIDED THAT THEY WANT TO USE IT AND EXPORT IT TO OTHER COUNTIES, SO IT'S AN ALL-INCLUSIVE STUDY OF IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A CITY-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE, AND HOW WOULD IT BE GOVERNED. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN, FOLLOW-UP. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: YEAH, FOLLOW-UP. UNLESS I'M READING IT CORRECTLY, WOULDN'T THE TIMING OF THE STUDY HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THE DECISION WE'LL MAKE IN THIS PROCESS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LATEST -- LATEST MOTION THAT WAS MADE? I WOULD THINK THE TIMING OF THE STUDY WOULD HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THE DECISION THAT WE'LL MAKE IN THIS PROCESS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: RIGHT. THE STUDY'S UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW, AND THE WORD WE HAD IS IT SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SESSION STARTS, SO THAT'S WHAT WE WERE PUSHING FOR IN OUR LETTER, AND THAT'S WHAT THE INDICATION THAT WE'RE GETTING BACK IS, THAT IT WILL BE DONE BEFORE SESSION STARTS. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, WE'LL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, WHICH IS TO -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: I'LL REPEAT. TO LEAVE THE TITLE OF THE LOCAL BILL AS FILED INTACT, THE SAME, BUT TO DELETE CONSIDERATION OF REFORMATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AT THIS TIME. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YOU'VE HEARD THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. NOW WE'RE GOING TO VOTE. I DO BELIEVE THAT WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO A ROLL CALL. WELL, WE'LL SEE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. [CHORUS OF AYES] THOSE OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT PASSES. NOW WE'LL MOVE TO THE AMENDMENT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: OKAY. THANK YOU. THE AMENDMENT. THE AMENDMENT NOW AS AMENDED WOULD DELETE CONSIDERATION TODAY OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION FROM OUR DISCUSSION BUT LEAVE INTACT, BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO BE IN THE TITLE, THE ABILITY FOR OUR DELEGATION AT A LATER POINT IN THE SESSION -- BECAUSE LOCAL BILLS WILL GO BACK UP AND BE FULLY VETTED IN SESSION -- THAT WHEN WE HAVE THE REPORTS OF THE STUDY, WE'LL HAVE A MEETING OF OUR DELEGATION UP THERE, MADAM CHAIR WILL CHAIR IT, AND WE CAN BRING UP THE DISCUSSION OF WHETHER THAT STUDY -- OR REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, BUT WE CAN BRING UP WHETHER THAT STUDY MERITS ANY FURTHER CHANGES TO THE BILL, AND I THINK THAT'S THE FAIR WAY TO APPROACH IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE A QUESTION. IF WE TAKE OUT THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION FROM THE BILL TEXT AND IT WILL NOT MENTION THE PLANNING COMMISSION AT ALL, THEN HOW CAN WE LEAVE IT IN THE TITLE AMENDMENT WHEN THE TITLE AMENDMENT BY LAW IS SUPPOSED TO DESCRIBE WHAT'S IN THE TEXT OF THE BILL? >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, WE VOTED TO DO THAT BASED ON THE UNDERSTANDING OF CANDACE, WHICH I CAN TELL YOU NOW I DON'T HAVE ALL THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT SHE'S EXHIBITING, BUT HER STATEMENT IS THAT YOU CAN HAVE MORE IN THE TITLE THAN IS IN THE BILL, BUT IT WILL NECESSITATE OUR COMING BACK AND MEETING AGAIN AS A DELEGATION IN TALLAHASSEE AND GETTING THE NECESSARY BILL -- VOTE TO PASS THE BILL IF SOMETHING'S ADDED TO IT SUBSEQUENTLY TO THIS MEETING. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THE DIFFERENCE IS, REPRESENTATIVE CULP, BECAUSE THIS IS A LOCAL BILL AND PASSING THE BILL TODAY -- EVEN IF EVERYBODY VOTES FOR THIS BILL TODAY, IT'S NOT A BILL. I MEAN, IT'S SIMPLY AS A DELEGATION SAYING WE'RE GOING TO MOVE IT ON TO THE NEXT STEP TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE FULL LEGISLATURE THROUGH OUR NORMAL COMMITTEE PROCESS, SO THIS IS ALMOST LIKE THE FILING OF THE BILL, AND WHETHER YOU'RE GETTING IT SET UP IN A POSTURE THAT WILL ALLOW IT TO BE -- TO GO FORWARD AND BE CONSIDERED IN THE PROCESS. IT'S NOT THE SAME AS PASSING A BILL THAT HAS TO HAVE THAT TEXT IN THERE THE SAME AS THE TITLE AMENDMENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR McKEEL. >>SETH McKEEL: OKAY. SO JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WHAT WE'VE DONE NECESSITATES ANOTHER MEETING? >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO. WHAT -- I'M SORRY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO. WHAT IT DOES IS IT LEAVES OPEN THAT WHEN THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY COME BACK AND ARE CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION, IF WE FEEL AS A GROUP THAT AS A RESULT OF THAT REPORT WE WANT TO TAKE UP THAT ISSUE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS PART OF THIS GOVERNANCE ISSUE DISCUSSION INTO THE LOCAL BILL THAT WILL BE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, THEN WE CAN DO SO. THE PROBLEM IS, AS A PROCEDURAL MATTER, WE'VE GOT TO ADVERTISE WHAT THE NATURE OF THE LOCAL BILLS ARE THAT ARE GOING UP, AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS FAIRLY APPRISED THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION ISSUE COULD BE CONSIDERED AT A LATER DATE. IT DOESN'T OBLIGATE US TO MEET, IT DOESN'T OBLIGATE US TO ADD IT IN, IT LEAVES OPEN THE POSSIBILITY BASED ON THE STUDY RESULTS THAT WE CAN CONSIDER IT. I WOULDN'T THINK WE'D WANT TO FORECLOSE OURSELVES OF ANY POSSIBILITIES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: MADAM CHAIR, THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, SINCE WE'RE ENTERING A REALM WHICH I'M COMPLETELY UNFAMILIAR WITH HERE, JUST SO I HAVE THIS STRAIGHT, CAN WE PASS -- DO -- BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD QUESTION IN THAT DO WE HAVE TO MEET AGAIN. CAN WE PASS A LOCAL BILL THAT HAS THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THE TITLE BUT YET HAS NOTHING REFERRING TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THE TEXT? I DON'T THINK WE CAN PASS A BILL THAT WAY -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: WE'RE NOT -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: -- OR THAT IT CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE. THAT'S MY CONCERN, THAT WE DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE LATER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >> THE QUESTION IS CAN YOU PASS IT IN THAT FORM? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: I HAVE YOUR SAME CONCERN. COULD WE LEAVE IT IN THE TITLE AND LEAVE IT IN THE TEXT AS IT EXISTS TODAY AND THEN GO BACK AND CHANGE IT AT A MEETING? THAT WAY YOU'VE GOT IT IN THE TITLE, YOU'VE GOT IT IN THE SUBSTANCE OF THE BILL, AND -- >>WILL WEATHERFORD: YES. WE COULD DO IT THAT WAY, BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY THE BILL IS RIGHT NOW AFTER THE AMENDMENT. >>RICH GLORIOSO: NO. WE WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH ANOTHER AMENDMENT PROCESS. OH, THANKS A LOT, KEVIN. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I THINK THAT WORKS. I THINK EITHER WAY WORKS. I MEAN, LOCAL BILLS ARE IN A DIFFERENT PROCEDURAL POSTURE THAN A NORMAL BILL GOING THROUGH THE BILL PROCESS, BUT WHAT REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO SAID WORKS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: PROBABLY THE SAFEST WAY TO DO IT WOULD JUST BE HAVE AN ALL-INCLUSIVE BILL, AND THEN LATER ON DOWN THE LINE IF WE SO CHOOSE TO PULL IT OUT, WE JUST PULL IT OUT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. HE SAID WHAT YOU WANTED TO SAY? REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER -- A FOLLOW- UP? >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: YEAH. JUST A COMMENT. WE MENTIONED, IF I'VE GOT IT CORRECTLY HERE, THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY PASS THIS OUT AND IT GOES THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND WE CAN FACTOR SOMETHING BACK IN, YOU KNOW, AS RELATES TO THE COMMISSION, BUT HERE IS THE -- HERE IS THE THING THAT I'M STRUGGLING WITH HERE IS THAT WHEN YOU PASS IT OUT FROM THIS -- FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT, IT SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE, I BELIEVE, SOMETIMES TO OUR COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, AT THE STATE LEVEL -- NOW, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE ACTUALLY PASS ALL LOCAL BILLS, BUT IT SENDS A MESSAGE IF WE PASS IT HERE TO THE REST OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN TALLAHASSEE, SO, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE WHERE I WANT TO BE ON THIS POINT BECAUSE IF WE DO THAT HERE, I THINK -- I THINK WE MAKE A STATEMENT, A DEFINITIVE STATEMENT TO SOME DEGREE, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THERE ARE SOME GLITCHES HERE THAT WE WANT TO CHANGE, BUT I THINK IT SENDS A STATEMENT, SO WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE NOW AND WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE THAT'S GOING TO SEND TO THE REST OF OUR COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, IN THE CAPITAL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I JUST WOULD REMIND REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN, BECAUSE I SERVED ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL IN THE HOUSE FOR THE FIRST FOUR YEARS, THE WAY LOCAL BILLS ARE TAKEN UP, THEY TYPICALLY ARE VETTED THROUGH THE HOUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, AND THEY'RE TAKEN UP IN RAPID FIRE, AND IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE INPUT OF THIS DELEGATION WHICH WILL DIRECT, SO IF THE DELEGATION SAYS WE WANT TO CONSIDER "X," "Y," AND "Z," THEN OUR COLLEAGUES WILL DEFER TO THE DELEGATION POSITION. IF WE SAY AT THE TIME IT COMES UP FOR CONSIDERATION WE ONLY WANT TO DO "X" AND "Y" AND NOT "Z," THEY'LL DEFER TO THAT AS WELL. I MEAN, THIS IS REALLY OUR DETERMINATION OF WHAT WE WANT TO HAVE CONSIDERED, AND WE WANT TO LEAVE OPEN WHEN THIS STUDY COMES BACK THE POSSIBILITY THAT OUR DELEGATION CAN CONSIDER ADDING IT IN LATER. IF WE DON'T DO IT TODAY, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO CONSIDER ANY OF THIS LATER IN SESSION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: RESPONSE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THAT'S -- YOU PRETTY MUCH, I BELIEVE, EXPRESSED MY POINT, YOU KNOW, TO A LARGER EXTENT OF WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY EARLIER, AND THAT IS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THAT OPTION, I BELIEVE THERE'S USUALLY THE AFFIRMATIVE THAT -- WHEN WE BRING -- BRING LOCAL BILLS TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT IF WE ARE IN AGREEMENT AND IN ONE ACCORD, FOR THE MOST PART THEY GO WITH WHAT WE WANT, AND SO THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT I'M SAYING WE WOULD BE SENDING, AND I THINK ONCE IT GETS THERE, IT MOST TIMES IS DONE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. NOW, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT, SO THAT'S -- THAT'S WHAT I'M STRUGGLING WITH, AND I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON RECORD. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, DID YOU WANT TO PROPOSE A MOTION? I THINK WHAT I UNDERSTOOD YOU TO SAY IS YOU CAN LEAVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN LOCAL BILL 1, BUT THE LANGUAGE AS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION WOULD SIMPLY HAVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S CURRENT STRUCTURE AS IT IS RIGHT NOW WITHOUT CHANGE TO IT, BUT IT WOULD LEAVE THAT IN THE BILL IN ITS CURRENT FORMAT, WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO CHANGE OR CONSIDER ANY CHANGES TO IT WHEN THE STUDY COMES IN. >>RICH GLORIOSO: SO MOVED. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. NOW, FOR THE PURPOSES OF -- ARE WE BACK -- ARE WE BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM BECAUSE -- >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU WANT ME TO MAKE A MOTION ON THAT, OR WAS YOURS A MOTION? I GUESS IT WILL BE AN AMENDMENT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I'LL MOVE -- IT'S A NEW AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IS BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. WE PASSED THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. >> WE PASSED THE FIRST AMENDMENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO, WE'RE ON THE AMENDMENT AS AMENDED. >> RIGHT. >>RONDA STORMS: RIGHT. SO NOW WE CAN AMEND THE AMENDMENT AS AMENDED AGAIN. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THAT'S CORRECT. >>RONDA STORMS: SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. NOW WE'RE IN THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? >>KEVIN AMBLER: THAT'S CORRECT. >>RONDA STORMS: THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO THE AMENDMENT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S CORRECT. >>RONDA STORMS: THAT IS CORRECT. >>RICH GLORIOSO: DO YOU WANT ME TO MAKE -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: DO YOU WANT ME TO REPEAT THAT? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO. HOLD UP A MOMENT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: JUST KILL THE AMENDMENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IF -- REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO, WE'RE THINKING THE SAME. >>BILL GALVANO: YES. I THINK WE COULD CUT THROUGH ALL OF THIS IF YOU JUST WITHDRAW THE AMENDMENT, THEN WE HAVE THE BILL INTACT, IT STILL GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BILL DURING REGULAR SESSION AND COMMITTEE HEARINGS WITHOUT HAMSTRINGING OURSELVES BY NOT [INAUDIBLE] IN THE LOCAL BILL NOTICE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: IF I UNDERSTAND REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO, LET'S JUST GO WITH THE ORIGINAL BILL -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>VICTOR CRIST: -- AND IF AFTER THIS STUDY IT LOOKS AS IF WE NEED TO PULL OUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THEN WE STILL HAVE THE OPTION TO PULL THEM OUT AND DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE, BUT MOVING THE POLICY UNIFORMLY AHEAD, COVERING ALL OF THE ENTITIES, TREATING EACH OF THEM EQUALLY. IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT WHAT I UNDERSTAND? >>BILL GALVANO: THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S MY SUGGESTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I APPRECIATE THE SIMPLICITY OF TRYING TO APPROACH IT THAT WAY, AND I'M ONE FOR DOING THINGS THE SIMPLER WAY IF THEY WORK TO ACHIEVE THE STATED OBJECTIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK I PROBABLY COULD SAY -- AND I'M NOT TRYING TO SPEAK FOR ANYONE ELSE, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD HAVE REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO'S SUPPORT IF YOU LEFT THE LANGUAGE IN THE ORIGINAL BILL THERE, WHICH DOES CHANGE GOVERNANCE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AS SOMETHING THAT HE COULD PUT HIS SIGN OF ENDORSEMENT ON WHAT HE WAS SUGGESTING THROUGH THIS AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT WAS TO HAVE THE LANGUAGE, VIS-A-VIS THE PLANNING COMMISSION, ESSENTIALLY ARTICULATE ITS STRUCTURE JUST THE WAY IT IS NOW WITHOUT A CHANGE, AND THAT WOULD LEAVE OPEN TO CHANGE THE STATUS QUO LATER, BUT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE AN ENDORSEMENT OF CHANGING THE STATUS QUO NOW. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SO YOU ARE NOT ACCEPTING -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: HE WON'T VOTE FOR IT OTHERWISE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: DO YOU WANT ME TO TP THIS UNTIL YOU GET THE NUMBERS RIGHT, BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BILL HAS GOT TO PASS EITHER WAY, SO DO YOU WANT ME TO TP IT FOR A MOMENT SO CAN COUNT VOTES? >>KEVIN AMBLER: OKAY. YES. GIVE ME A MOMENT. WE'LL JUST RECESS FOR A FEW MINUTES. [RECESS TAKEN] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NEXT IS LOCAL BILL 2. I'LL TURN THE GAVEL OVER TO REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN, AND YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LOCAL BILL 2 IS PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND WAIVER PROGRAM. IN 2004 THIS DELEGATION SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF A PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND WAIVER TO OFFER QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO ASSIST OUR SMALL BUSINESSES. THIS LOCAL BILL EXTENDS THE SUNSET OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND WAIVER PROGRAM FROM 2009 TO 2011. THAT'S IT. THAT'S THE BILL, MR. CHAIRMAN. >>RICH GLORIOSO: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE SPONSOR? IS THERE ANY -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: [INAUDIBLE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: IS THERE ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THIS BILL? I HAVE A COUPLE CARDS HERE. EDITH STEWART. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: WAIVES IN SUPPORT. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS BILL? OKAY. PUBLIC HEARING'S CLOSED, AND TIME FOR THE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A ROLL CALL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: GOT TO DO A ROLL CALL? >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: EXCUSE ME. WE HAVE TO ROLL CALL ON THIS ONE. AT THAT, PLEASE READ THE ROLL. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] REPRESENTATIVE -- SENATOR JOYNER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL. >>SETH McKEEL: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. I'M SORRY. HE'S NOT HERE. REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: YES. >>RICH GLORIOSO: OKAY. BY YOUR VOTE, THE BILL PASSES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL MOVE TO LOCAL BILL 3. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. LOCAL BILL 3 IS ALSO ANOTHER GOVERNANCE BILL. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE EPC. I SPONSORED THIS BILL BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO GET THE COUNTY AND CITIES LOOKING AT THE GOVERNANCE ON ALL BOARDS, JUST LIKE REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER'S DOING. [LAUGHTER] HOWEVER -- HOWEVER -- HOWEVER, I THINK IT'S A LOCAL ISSUE, AND IT BRINGS UP THE ISSUE TO THE LOCAL COUNTIES AND CITIES TO WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCES ON THESE BOARDS. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE REFEREEING THE CONFLICTS GOING ON BETWEEN THE CITIES AND COUNTIES. I'M GOING TO PULL THIS BILL RIGHT NOW. I'M GOING TO -- AND WITHDRAW IT BECAUSE I THINK THE CITIES AND COUNTY NEED TO SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT THE GOVERNANCE ISSUES ON ALL THESE BOARDS, AND WE SHOULD NOT BE THE REFEREES. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. LOCAL BILL 3 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. LOCAL BILL 4. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. LOCAL BILL 4 HAS TO DO WITH THE REGULATION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND WATER MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE EPC. IN THE LAST YEAR THE COUNTY IS REPRESENTING -- OR EXCUSE ME, THE COUNTY ACTING AS THE EPC HAS DONE A LOT OF STUDIES INTO THE WATER MANAGEMENT AND AGRICULTURAL LANDS, ESPECIALLY THE WETLANDS ISSUE. THERE WERE SOME AGREEMENTS MADE LAST SUMMER THAT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION HAS NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. I EXPECTED TO HAVE THEM ACCOMPLISHED ON NOVEMBER 15th. I TOOK HEAT IN THE NEWSPAPER ON NOVEMBER 2nd FOR FILING MY BILL; HOWEVER, THAT WAS THE DEADLINE I HAD TO FILE THE BILL ON. ON NOVEMBER 15th THE EPC DELAYED THE DECISION ANOTHER TWO MONTHS, WHICH ALSO BOTHERS ME. AS WE SIT HERE ON BUDGETS AND TAXES AND EVERYBODY ASKS US TO CUT TAXES, WHEN YOU LOOK AT GOVERNMENT, YOU TRY TO GET AWAY -- DO AWAY WITH DUPLICATION, AND BELIEVE ME, THERE'S A LOT OF DUPLICATION IN THIS BETWEEN EPC AND SWFWMD AND OTHER AGENCIES. AND SO WHAT I TRIED TO DO WAS STREAMLINE THIS SITUATION AND GET THE AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND WETLANDS TAKEN CARE OF. I TOOK A LOT OF HEAT IN THE NEWSPAPER AND EDITORIALS AS IF THE BUILDERS ARE GOING TO GO AND JUST START BULLDOZING ALL THE WETLANDS, SO I WANT TO PUT THINGS IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE HERE SO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH WETLANDS MY BILL REALLY AFFECTS. THERE'S ABOUT 100,000 ACRES OF WETLANDS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. MY BILL AFFECTS 3/16 OF 1%, 3/16 OF 1% OF ALL THE WETLANDS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. SO THE DEVELOPERS AREN'T GOING TO COME IN HERE AND BULLDOZE OUR WETLANDS. THAT'S NOT WHY I DID IT. I'VE GOT A LOT OF FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL PEOPLE WHO ARE TELLING ME, RICH, IT'S TOO HARD TO GET THINGS DONE WHEN YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH EPC AND SWFWMD, AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A FARMER GETS FRUSTRATED AND THEN HAS A BAD CROP YEAR? WATCH THE HOUSES GROW BECAUSE ONCE THEY GET FRUSTRATED, WATCH THE HOUSES GROW, AND I'LL TALK ABOUT JUST MY DISTRICT BECAUSE MOST OF MY DISTRICT AND AGRICULTURAL AREA IS OUTSIDE THE URBAN SERVICE AREA. WHEN A FARMER OUT THERE, OUTSIDE THE URBAN SERVICE AREA, DOESN'T ANNEX INTO PLANT CITY, THEY BUILD ONE HOUSE PER ACRE, ONE HOUSE PER FIVE ACRES. AND YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SPRAWL. THAT ADDS SPRAWL BIG TIME TO WHAT'S GOING ON. IN ALL MY CONFUSION HERE -- I GOT A LETTER HERE THAT I JUST WANT TO READ THE -- READ THE LAST LITTLE BIT TO IT. IT WAS A LETTER TO THE EDITOR THAT NEVER GOT PRINTED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE HARDER AND MORE EXPENSIVE WE MAKE IT FOR OUR FARMERS TO STAY IN BUSINESS, WE HASTEN THE DAY WHEN THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TURN THEIR LANDS OVER FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. BELIEVE ME, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. GET ONE BAD -- A COUPLE BAD FARMING YEARS, AND THE FARMERS THAT ARE GETTING SENIOR, SAY, HEY, I CAN SELL MY PROPERTY AND RETIRE, AND I DON'T HAVE TO FARM AND THE HOUSES WILL DEVELOP. I TALKED TO DR. GARRITY IN MY OFFICE, I'VE TALKED TO MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION, AND I HAD A TALK YESTERDAY WITH AL HIGGINBOTHAM, WHO I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR, WHO IS NOW THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EPC, AND I MADE A PLEDGE TO AL THAT AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO GIVE HIM TIME TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. I'M GOING TO LET HIM WORK WITH THE EPC STAFF AND OUR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. SO MADAM CHAIRMAN, AT THIS TIME, I WITHDRAW THIS BILL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. LOCAL BILL 4 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. LOCAL BILL 5, I'LL TURN THE CHAIR BACK OVER TO THE VICE CHAIR WHILE I PRESENT THE BILL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU'RE RECOGNIZED, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. LOCAL BILL 5 WOULD REVISE THE INVESTMENT POLICY PROVISIONS TO CONFORM WITH FLORIDA STATUTE, AND THIS CHANGE, REQUESTED BY MOTION BY THE INDEPENDENT GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION BOARD, WOULD PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SAME INVESTMENT FLEXIBILITY ALLOWED FOR IN-STATE LAW, AND THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION BOARD WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE OVERSIGHT AND WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADHERE TO AUTHORIZED INVESTMENT POLICIES, AND THAT IS THE BILL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: YES, MA'AM, I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LAW -- THAT THE LAW ALLOWS FOR THIS GREATER FLEXIBILITY, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE LAW DOESN'T REQUIRE THIS GREATER FLEXIBILITY. I THINK TWO WEEKS AGO WE MIGHT HAVE EASILY VOTED ON PENSION MATTERS, MEMBERS, WITHOUT MUCH THOUGHT, BUT GIVEN THE RUN ON -- ON OUR PENSION FUNDS AND THE MONIES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND CITY GOVERNMENTS AND SCHOOLS HAVE PAID TO THE STATE FUND, I THINK WE HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL CAREFUL ATTENTION TO ANY DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE ON PENSION FUNDS. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS -- THIS BILL, NOT BECAUSE I THINK ANYTHING BAD WILL HAPPEN BUT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT SOMETHING BAD WILL NOT HAPPEN. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE -- I DON'T KNOW -- I READ THE LANGUAGE OF THE BILL, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE IS. I SEE THAT THIS -- THAT THE -- UNDER SUBSECTION "C," THE ORIGINAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE ASSETS WERE SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATED, AND I GUESS I'M CONCERNED WHY THE CHANGE. WHAT -- AS I UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS BILL DOES, PREVIOUSLY YOU WERE ALLOWED -- THIS PARTICULAR BILL ALLOWED FOR A PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION IN COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK, NO MORE THAN A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE IN ONE CORPORATION, AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION BASED ON THE PLAIN LANGUAGE, AND NOW WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR IS FOR THE BOARD TO ADOPT ITS OWN SEPARATE PLAN AND TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN DISTRIBUTION, AND THAT MAY BE ALL WELL AND GOOD, BUT THERE WAS A RATIONALE FOR THIS SPECIFIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE PENSION, AND I GUESS I WOULD JUST LIKE A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORT GIVEN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES WHEN WE SEE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING, PULLING MONEY OUT OF OTHER INVESTMENT FUNDS. I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT THIS IS COMPLETELY INNOCUOUS, AND I WANT SOME ASSURANCES. I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE END OF A VOTE THAT LATER, A YEAR OR TWO FROM NOW, SOMEBODY SAYS, LOOK WHAT YOU DID, AND NOW THIS PENSION HAS NO MONEY BECAUSE YOU ALLOWED A BOARD -- AND YOU SPECIFIC -- THE LANGUAGE SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATES THE TYPE OF ABILITY, AND THE TYPE OF ABILITY OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS SIMPLY MEN AND WOMEN OF ORDINARY PRUDENCE, DISCRETION, AND INTELLIGENT EXERCISE. AND THERE ARE MEN AND WOMEN OF ORDINARY PRUDENCE, BUT THERE ARE ALSO PROFESSIONALS THAT MIGHT BE MORE QUALIFIED FOR THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF BUSINESS, AND I SEE, AS I READ THE LANGUAGE, THAT THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE OF THE CITY, AS I READ IT, IS THE ONLY PERSON WITH FINANCIAL -- A REQUIREMENT OF FINANCIAL BACKGROUND. EVERYBODY ELSE IS JUST ORDINARY INTELLIGENCE AND PRUDENCE, AND I THINK THAT THE MATTER IS MORE COMPLEX THAN ORDINARY INTELLIGENCE AND PRUDENCE. I UNDERSTAND THAT WAS THE OLD LANGUAGE. THAT'S NOT A QUESTION FOR ME. BUT I'M JUST SAYING SINCE YOU'RE MAKING THESE CHANGES, OUGHT NOT YOU TO INCLUDE A HIGHER LEVEL OF COMPETENCE WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE'S PENSIONS? AND THEN CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH THE RATIONALE AS TO WHY YOU'RE MAKING THE CHANGE. THIS IS A RELAXATION OF THE STANDARD OF THE STATUTE, AND I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THAT. I GET CONCERNED WHEN YOU START ALLOWING OTHER FORMS OF INVESTMENT BECAUSE MAYBE THIS NEW GROUP WILL SAY WHEN IT'S HOT IN THE MARKET, WELL, WE'LL GET INTO MORTGAGE NOW, AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD DECISION. >>RICH GLORIOSO: I'LL GO AHEAD AND RECOGNIZE LEE HUFFSTUTLER. >> HONORABLE CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, LEE HUFFSTUTLER. I'M THE CITY'S CHIEF ACCOUNTANT IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION OFFICES UNDER MY PURVIEW. WE'RE HERE TODAY AT THE BEHEST OF THE GENERAL EMPLOYEE PENSION BOARD WHO HAS BROUGHT THIS PROPOSED BILL BEFORE YOU. JUST LET ME SAY A COUPLE THINGS. THE CITY OF TAMPA HAS NOT INVESTED IN THE STATE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION AND NEITHER HAS THE PENSION PLAN, SO I HOPE THAT WILL ALLAY YOUR FEARS, AND I SUSPECT WE WOULD NOT EVEN IN THE PENSION PLAN BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE KIND OF INVESTMENT THAT WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE. WE HAVE LONG-TERM GOALS IN MIND. REALLY, WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE YOU HERE TODAY IS WE HAVE THE INVESTMENT POLICY GUIDELINES IN STATUTE 112, WE HAVE THE CHAPTER 23559, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO CHANGE, AND WE HAVE THE INVESTMENT POLICY, SO TO ADDRESS THE SENATOR'S QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRUDENT INVESTMENT, THAT IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE POLICY AND WITHIN STATUTE 112, WHICH REQUIRES OVERSIGHT BY CONSULTANTS AND WHATNOT AND REQUIRES TRAINING OF THE BOARD MEMBERS IN EDUCATION, SO I THINK THAT'S ADDRESSED. REALLY, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS -- IN 23559 WE ALREADY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO MANY OF THESE THINGS, AND IN THE POLICY IT ALMOST IDENTICALLY MIRRORS WHAT'S IN CHAPTER 257, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING YOU LET US USE IN 23559. THERE ARE SOME CHANGES. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS THE ALLOCATION OF STOCKS AND EQUITY FROM 65% TO 80%, BUT IT -- AS THE SENATOR POINTS OUT, THAT MAY BE ALLOWED, BUT I DOUBT THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE PURSUING. THAT IS NOT THE GIST OF WHY WE'RE BRINGING THIS TO YOU TODAY. WE'RE BRINGING IT TO YOU BECAUSE REALLY WE'RE JUST TRYING TO HAVE 23559 CONFORM WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING ANYWAY IN POLICY. THERE WERE A COUPLE OTHER CHANGES IN THERE THAT WE NOTED COMPARING WHAT WE CURRENTLY DO TO THE STATUTE. FOR EXAMPLE, NOW WE CAN INVEST AS MUCH AS 5% IN A SINGLE COMPANY, BUT IN STATUTE YOU CAN ONLY INVEST 3%. THAT WAS JUST ANOTHER ONE THAT WE NOTED. THIS PROVISION HAS NO FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AS WE SEE IT. THERE'S NO EXPENSES OR REVENUES GENERATED. THE BOARD WILL STILL PROVIDE POLICY OVERSIGHT, SO WE WOULD ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THIS PROPOSED BILL. >> FOLLOW-UP. >>RONDA STORMS: A COUPLE FOLLOW-UPS. ONE, I RECOGNIZE -- I UNDERSTAND, AND I DID KNOW THAT YOU HAD NOT INVESTED IN THE STATE PENSION -- IN THE STATE INVESTMENT POOL. I UNDERSTOOD THAT, BUT MY POINT IS, IS THAT WE ALL ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW COMPLEX THESE ISSUES ARE, AND MAYBE TWO WEEKS AGO WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, BUT WE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP SHORT. SO FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, I'M CONCERNED THAT WE NEED TO TREAD MORE CAREFULLY. THE OTHER POINT THAT YOU RAISE IS I'M WONDERING HAVE YOU HAD AN ACTUARY ANALYSIS THAT THIS -- THAT THIS WOULD HAVE NO IMPACT? I MEAN, DO YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL WHO'S GIVEN YOU WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE TO US THAT THIS IS COMPLETELY NEUTRAL TO WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH? >> NO, MA'AM, WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT DONE BY THE ACTUARY. I'M NOT SURE THAT WE WOULD. THE -- AS FAR AS THE ACTUARY IS CONCERNED, THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE INVESTMENT GUIDELINES OR THE 8% MARKET THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE EACH YEAR. SHORT OF THAT, I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE WOULD ASK THEM TO DO. >>RONDA STORMS: LET ME CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE LANGUAGE THAT I'M LOOKING AT. >> YES, MA'AM. >>RONDA STORMS: ON PAGE 3 OF 4 YOU SPECIFICALLY SAY, IN MAKING EACH AND ALL OF SUCH INVESTMENTS SO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL EXERCISE JUDGMENT AND CARE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THEN PREVAILING WHICH MEN OR WOMEN OF ORDINARY PRUDENCE, DISCRETION, AND INTELLIGENCE EXERCISE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR OWN AFFAIRS. THIS IS CROSSED OUT LANGUAGE. NOT IN REGARD TO SPECULATION BUT IN REGARD TO THE PERMANENT DISPOSITION OF THEIR FUNDS. CONSIDERING A PROBABLE INCOME THEREFROM AS WELL AS PROBABLE SAFETY OF THEIR CAPITAL; HOWEVER, NOT MORE THAN 65% OF SAID FUND, BASED ON TOTAL BOOK VALUE OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENTS HELD, SHALL BE INVESTED AT ANY TIME IN COMMON STOCK OR PREFERRED STOCKS AND NOT MORE THAN 10% OF SAID FUNDS SHALL BE INVESTED AT ANY GIVEN TIME IN THE PREFERRED AND/OR COMMON STOCK OF ANY ONE CORPORATION AND ITS AFFILIATES AND NOT MORE THAN 5% OF THE OUTSTANDING STOCK OF ANY ONE CORPORATION AND ITS AFFILIATE SHALL BE HELD BY THE FUND AT ANY TIME, AND THAT CORPORATION BONDS, NOTES, OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS FIXED- INCOME INVESTMENTS MUST HOLD A RATING IN ONE OF THE FOUR HIGHEST CLASSIFICATIONS OF A MAJOR RATING SERVICE IN CORPORATE BONDS, NOTES, OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF THE INDEBTEDNESS WITH AN EQUITY CONVERSION PROVISION USED AS AN EQUITY SUBSTITUTE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HOLD A RATING IN ONE OF THE FOUR HIGHEST CLASSIFICATIONS BY A MAJOR RATING SERVICE. NOW, WHEN I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL, I DID A LITTLE WORK ON THIS PARTICULAR AREA, AND SO I'M REALLY SENSITIVE. I KNOW IT'S EXTREMELY COMPLEX, AND I'M VERY SENSITIVE TO MAKING CHANGES. IT'S CURIOUS TO ME THAT YOU WERE YOU'RE CHANGING YOUR INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTION. TO ME -- THIS IS ALL I HAVE AS BACKUP. NOW, MAYBE YOU HAVE ANOTHER PLAN THAT YOU SAY IS THIS EXACTLY, BUT IN THE LANGUAGE THAT I HAVE, ALL I HAVE IS YOU'RE STRIKING YOUR INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTION, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT. AN ACTUARY MIGHT MAKE AN OPINION ON THAT AS TO THE HEALTH OF THE FUND, WOULD YOU AGREE, ON A DISTRIBUTION? AN ACTUARY MIGHT MAKE AN OPINION ON THAT? >> I SUPPOSE, YES, MA'AM. >>RONDA STORMS: YES, MA'AM. SO I'M ASKING HAVE YOU HAD AN ACTUARY ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THIS LANGUAGE CHANGE BECAUSE THAT IMPACTS THE HEALTH OF YOUR PENSION FUND. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT STRIKING SOME LANGUAGE THAT MAY IN THE FUTURE CAUSE YOUR FUND TO BE IN DISTRESS. I DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT, AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. I'M NOT COMPETENT IN THIS AREA, AND I RELY ON EXPERTS FROM OTHER AREAS TO GIVE ME THAT COMFORT. >> YES, MA'AM. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >>KEVIN AMBLER: [INAUDIBLE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THANK YOU. WHEN I WAS ORIGINALLY APPROACHED TO BE THE HOUSE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL, I THINK WE WERE IN A DIFFERENT POLITICAL LANDSCAPE THAN WE ARE SITTING HERE TODAY, AND I SHARE SOME OF SENATOR STORMS' CONCERNS AT THIS JUNCTURE BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, AS I UNDERSTOOD IT BROUGHT TO ME, WAS TO ALLOW THIS PENSION FUND, WHICH WAS CREATED BY SPECIAL ACT, ESSENTIALLY TO HAVE THE SAME FLEXIBILITY IN ITS INVESTMENT DECISIONS AS THE STATE FUND DOES, THE STATE -- THE STATE-RUN ORGANIZATION, WHICH WOULD BRING IT INTO CONFORMITY WITH 112.661. I THINK THE BIGGER QUESTION THAT'S RAISED HERE TODAY IS WHETHER BRINGING IT INTO CONFORMITY WITH A STATEWIDE PARADIGM OR SCHEME THAT IS GOING ON TODAY THAT MAY ITSELF BE IN QUESTION -- >>RONDA STORMS: RIGHT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: -- AND SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND STUDY MAY NOT BE THE -- THIS TIMING -- TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN THIS BUSINESS, AS YOU KNOW. THE TIMING ON MAKING THIS CHANGE MAY BE ILL-ADVISED GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE MAY WANT TO TAKE A BROADER LOOK IN THE LEGISLATURE AT 112.661 AND REDEFINE WHAT THAT INVESTMENT STRATEGY IS, BUT RIGHT NOW SINCE THAT'S BROADER DISCRETION THAN WHAT CURRENTLY EXISTS HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WE MIGHT BE BEST ADVISED TO TAKE A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH OF LEAVING THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE INVESTMENT VEHICLES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN LAW THAT SENATOR STORMS WAS JUST READING INTO THE RECORD THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE DELETED, AND BEFORE WE EXPAND THAT DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY, WE'D NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHETHER THAT BROAD DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY AT THE STATE LEVEL SHOULD BE KEPT INTACT OR CHANGED THROUGH THE CURRENT CRISIS WE'RE SEEING WITH THE INVESTMENTS BEING MADE. >>RONDA STORMS: COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF. >>RICH GLORIOSO: ANYBODY ELSE? I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ALSO. I WAS TALKING TO THE CITY MANAGER OF PLANT CITY YESTERDAY AS THEY WITHDREW THEIR MONEY OUT OF SBA LAST WEEK. THEY GOT THEIR $56 MILLION OUT. INTERESTING ENOUGH, THE LAW THAT'S ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW THAT REQUIRES THE CITY TO INVEST THE MONEY IS MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE LAW GOVERNING THE SBA. THE INVESTMENTS THE SBA MADE COULD NOT BE MADE BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF OUR LAWS THE WAY THEY READ, SO I AGREE WITH SENATOR STORMS AND REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER THAT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE LAW DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT. >>RONDA STORMS: THAT'S RIGHT. >>RICH GLORIOSO: AND SO I'M ALSO CONCERNED ON THIS. SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: I'D LIKE TO KNOW, IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM ASCME OR FROM THE UNIONS, BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE EMPLOYEES. >>RICH GLORIOSO: I BELIEVE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: [INAUDIBLE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: YEAH. MARTHA WILLIAMS -- MARTHA STEVENS, RATHER. >>VICTOR CRIST: IS SHE WITH ASCME? >>RICH GLORIOSO: AND BERNIE MENENDEZ. ARE THEY HERE? >>VICTOR CRIST: SHE'S WITH THE STATE AND MUNICIPAL OF EMPLOYEES? >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M MARTHA STEVENS, PRESIDENT AND BUSINESS AGENT OF AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION, REPRESENTING THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, AND I WOULD STAND THIS MORNING -- >> I CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> I'M SORRY. I WOULD STAND THIS MORNING TO ASK YOU TO OPPOSE THIS BILL, NOT SO MUCH AS FOR THE CHANGES. I'M JUST ONE OF THOSE NORMAL PEOPLE, AND I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH ALL THE PARTICULARS, BUT THE CITY OF TAMPA HAS A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, AND PART OF THAT AGREEMENT IS THAT THE CITY AND THE UNION WILL COME TOGETHER TO NEGOTIATE AMENDMENTS OR CHANGES TO OUR PENSION BENEFITS. LAST YEAR WE CAME HERE, AND THE CITY PRESENTED A BILL THAT -- ON THAT SAME PARTICULAR DAY WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS. WE DID NOT COME TO AN AGREEMENT, BUT THE BILL WAS STILL PRESENTED IN TALLAHASSEE AND PASSED THROUGH COMMITTEES. THE PROCEDURE IS THAT WE COME TO AGREEMENT AND THEN THE BILL -- THE AMENDMENT OR CHANGES IS RATIFIED BY THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES. THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. IN THIS PARTICULAR ONE, WE HAVE NOT EVEN COME TO THE TABLE. THERE HAS BEEN NO NEGOTIATION, AND WE ARE TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY, BUT IT IS CHANGES TO THE GENERAL EMPLOYMENT -- GENERAL PENSION. WE FEEL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED WITH THE UNION. IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE, AND WE ASK YOU TO OPPOSE THIS BILL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: SENATOR JOYNER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WITH THAT, I'LL WITHDRAW THE BILL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE'LL NOW MOVE TO BILL 6. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. THIS BILL REFERS TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND IT'S -- IT HAS TO DO WITH THE BACKGROUND CHECKS OF PUBLIC DRIVER'S LICENSES IN OUR TAXIS AND LIMOUSINES. AND WE DO HAVE ONE AMENDMENT, THAT'S CORRECT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: YEAH. I'VE GOT IT RIGHT -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: COULD WE GET REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER BACK IN HERE SO WE COULD ... >>RICH GLORIOSO: OKAY. I HAVE ONE AMENDMENT TO THE BILL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE. >>RICH GLORIOSO: IT JUST ADDS FINGERPRINT SEARCHES AGAINST A TERRORIST [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] MUST BE SPECIFIED AS SUCH. IN OTHER WORDS, AS WE DO THE BACKGROUND CHECKS OF THESE DRIVERS -- THIS AMENDMENT WAS PRESENTED TO US BY OUR SHERIFF, DAVID GEE, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH WHEN YOU DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK OF THE DRIVERS AND THE FBI DATABASE, MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT THE TERRORIST DATABASE ALSO. AND THESE ARE FOR TEMPORARY DRIVERS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT. [CHORUS OF AYES] THOSE OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, THE AMENDMENT PASSES. NOW WE'RE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. AND WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY. MR. DON -- CAN'T READ IT DON, S-T-I -- AND THE REST IS -- STIVER, I BELIEVE. OH, I'M SORRY. THAT'S FOR BILL 7. MOSHE LEIB. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MOSHE LEIB FROM TB LIMO. HOPE YOU READ ABOUT ME IN THE NEWSPAPER REGARDING THE TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID THAT I'M TRYING TO GET LICENSED TO PICK UP AT THE AIRPORT, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE. THE FIRST PART OF THE BILL IS OKAY. I SENT YOU ALL E-MAILS TWO DAYS AGO. THE SECOND PART IS NOT OKAY. TEMPORARY DRIVING LICENSE. WE HAVE THE LAW HERE, WE HAVE A WAY TO LICENSE COMPANIES, AND THEY SHOULD GO THE SAME WAY WE DO. I'M A SMALL BUSINESS. IF YOU LET THOSE HUGE COMPANIES COME IN WHEN WE HAVE A SUPER BOWL, I DON'T HAVE ANY WORK. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CAREY INTERNATIONAL. THEY BROUGHT HOW MANY CARS? MIAMI, THEY BROUGHT IN 1,300 LIMOUSINES. PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE WORK. MIAMI PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE WORK. YOU HAVE SEEN THE BAY NEWS 9 POLL. 70% SAID NO, DON'T CHANGE THE LAW, SO WHAT I'M ASKING YOU TO DO IS BACKGROUND CHECK, YES, NO TEMPORARY DRIVING LICENSE. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: JUST A MOMENT. SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: I MIGHT HAVE MISSED IT. ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST THE BILL? >> I AM AGAINST THE TEMPORARY DRIVING LICENSE. >>VICTOR CRIST: BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BILL ITSELF? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE ENTIRE BILL. YOU MUST CONSIDER ALL OF IT, THE GOOD AND THE BAD. THIS IS THE DILEMMA -- >> THEN I AM AGAINST IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ANY PUBLIC -- ANYMORE PUBLIC TESTIMONY? WAIT A MINUTE. VICTOR DiMAIO. >> YES. I'M SORRY. MY NAME IS VICTOR DiMAIO, 1000 NORTH ASHLEY DRIVE IN TAMPA. I'M SORRY I'M A MINUTE LATE HERE ON THIS BILL. THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PASS THIS BILL, THIS PARTICULAR BILL. THESE WERE TWO SPECIFIC ISSUES, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO SAID. NUMBER ONE, IT DEALS WITH THE UPCOMING SUPER BOWL THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING HERE, WHICH KIND OF PROMPTED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUT-OF-STATE DRIVERS TO COME IN HERE TO BECOME DRIVERS TO SUPER BOWL. I'M OUT OF BREATH. EXCUSE ME. I SERVED ON THE LAST SUPER BOWL TASK FORCE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AS A MEMBER, AND THE FEARS THAT SOME OF THE LOCAL DRIVERS HAVE ARE REALLY UNFOUNDED. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE DRIVERS ARE GOING TO COME FROM THE AREA LOCALLY. IT COSTS MONEY TO BRING A GUY FROM OUT OF STATE TO FEED HIM, CLOTHE HIM, HOUSE HIM, AND SO FORTH. SO WE'RE GOING TO START LOCALLY FOR DRIVERS TO WORK FOR LIMOUSINES. THE TAXIS ARE GOING TO BE HANDLED MOSTLY LOCALLY HERE. EXCUSE ME. I'M OUT OF BREATH. AND IF WE NEED EXTRA TAXIS, WE'RE GOING TO PULL FROM PINELLAS COUNTY FIRST, AND THAT PRETTY MUCH WILL HANDLE IT. MOST OF THE GUYS WHO COME FOR SUPER BOWL ARE GOING TO USE LIMOUSINES. THAT'S WHERE THE DRIVERS ARE GOING TO COME FROM. CAREY LIMOUSINE HAS AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT WITH THE NFL TO PROVIDE LIMOS, AND CAREY LIMOUSINE, OBVIOUSLY LOCALLY HERE NOW ON A NONSUPER BOWL YEAR, DOESN'T HAVE THE STAFF TO HANDLE IT, SO THEY SET UP A CONTACT LIST WHICH THEY'LL WORK WITH LOCALLY FIRST. THEY'LL MOVE TO ORLANDO, MAYBE MOVE TO MIAMI OR SO FORTH. THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE THE TRUCKLOADS OF LIMOS COMING FROM NEBRASKA OR CALIFORNIA LIKE SOME OF THE GUYS MAY FEAR, SO - - THE SECOND THING IS THE -- RIGHT NOW WE DO AN FDLE SECURITY CHECK WHICH COVERS THE STATE FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND WE -- A COUPLE OF GUYS HAVE FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS, AND THEY TOLD US IF WE DO A NATIONAL FBI CHECK, WE'LL BE ABLE TO CATCH SOME OF THE BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND THAT'S THE SECOND PART OF THE BILL. WE DO HAVE -- REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE PTC FOR MANY YEARS. HE -- AND SENATOR STORMS ALSO SERVED ON THE PTC, SO WE HAVE TWO REPRESENTATIVES HERE WHO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. ORLANDO PEREZ IS OUR ATTORNEY, AND I'D LIKE FOR HIM TO SPEAK NEXT IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU. THANKS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST, DO YOU HAVE -- >>VICTOR CRIST: YES. I'VE GOT A QUESTION. THIS ISN'T AN INDUSTRY THAT I'M ALL THAT FAMILIAR WITH, BUT VICTOR, WHAT'S PREVENTING THE LOCAL COMPANIES NOW FROM CONTRACTING INDEPENDENTLY WITH OUTSIDE SOURCES TO BRING IN EXTRA CARS AND DRIVERS? CAN THEY DO THAT NOW? >> UNDER THE BILL -- RIGHT NOW THE PTC HAS THE AUTHORITY, AS SENATOR STORMS AND REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO KNOW SINCE THEY SERVED ON THE PTC -- YOU CAN GRANT A TEMPORARY SEVEN- DAY PERMIT TO BE RENEWED LIKE THREE OR FOUR TIMES, AND THAT'S THE LIMIT FOR TEMPORARY DRIVER'S PERMIT AND TEMPORARY VEHICLE PERMITS. >>VICTOR CRIST: SO LOCAL BUSINESSES COULD NOW BRING IN SUBS TO HELP THEM WITH ANY -- ANY OVERFLOW IF THEY NEEDED TO? >> ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID, WE PROTECTED THE LOCAL COMPANIES -- >>VICTOR CRIST: I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE BILL, I'M TALKING ABOUT EXISTING LAW. >> SOME OF THE LAW IS DONE BY THE SPECIAL ACT IN TALLAHASSEE, AND SOME OF IS DONE BY LOCAL RULE. >>VICTOR CRIST: I'M SAYING IF WE DON'T DO THIS BILL, WE BRING IN A SUPER BOWL, CAN THE LOCAL COMPANIES NOW SUBCONTRACT OUT FOR OVERFLOW? >> YES. >>VICTOR CRIST: SO IN ESSENCE, WHAT THE BILL IS GOING TO DO IS OPEN THE FLOODGATES FOR OUTSIDE COMPANIES TO COME IN AND PROFITEER BY DOLLARS THAT SHOULD BE EARNED BY OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES? >> NO, NO, NO, SENATOR, NOT AT ALL. WHOEVER COMES IN HERE HAS TO BE SPONSORED BY A LOCAL COMPANY. IF YOU READ THE BILL, IN THE PROVISION THAT WE'VE SET UP, WE WILL NOT ALLOW AN OUTSIDE COMPANY TO COME IN HERE AND SET UP SHOP FOR SUPER BOWL. YOU HAVE TO BE SPONSORED BY AN EXISTING COMPANY WITHIN THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY JURISDICTION AND GO UNDER THEIR UMBRELLA, AND THAT'S FOR ACCOUNTABILITY PURPOSES, IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER OR WITH THE COMPANY OR SO FORTH. YOU HAVE TO BE SPONSORED BY A LOCAL COMPANY TO COME IN HERE TO DO WORK FOR SUPER BOWL. >>VICTOR CRIST: FOLLOW-UP. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: MR. DiMAIO, I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THE BILL WILL ALLOW THEM TO DO, BUT I THINK I ALSO UNDERSTOOD YOU TO SAY THEY COULD ALREADY DO THAT ANYWAY, THAT IF THEY HAD A NEED TO COVER OVERFLOW, THAT THEY COULD SUBCONTRACT OUT FOR ADDITIONAL LIMOS AND DRIVERS NOW UNDER SEVEN DAYS. >> THEY CAN, BUT THE -- THE ONLY PROVISION WE'RE CHANGING - - RIGHT NOW THE LAW IN FLORIDA READS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VALID STATE OF FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE, AND WE'RE JUST SAYING YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S -- IN THIS CASE CHAUFFEUR'S LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE. >>VICTOR CRIST: FOLLOW-UP. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>VICTOR CRIST: SO IN ESSENCE, YOU'RE OPENING THE DOOR FOR SOMEBODY TO COME IN FROM NEW YORK OR ALABAMA OR GEORGIA OR MISSISSIPPI OR LOUISIANA INSTEAD OF REACHING OUT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO BENEFIT FROM A GAME HERE IN FLORIDA? >> WELL, WE'VE BEEN ASKED AGAIN BY THE SUPER BOWL TASK FORCE COMMITTEE, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I KNOW IT'S A YEAR AWAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HOSTING IT, BUT THERE'S PEOPLE HERE THIS WEEK FROM THE NFL THAT ARE ALREADY SCOPING THE PLACE OUT AND STARTING TO PLAN. THE REALITY IS THIS, MOST OF THE DRIVERS THEY'RE GOING TO HIRE ARE GOING TO BE LOCAL BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE LAY OF THE LAND, THEY KNOW THEIR WAY AROUND, THEY KNOW THE STREETS. THE FLOODGATES THAT MAYBE SOMEBODY -- THE DRIVER MAY HAVE THAT CAME UP AND SPOKE A LITTLE BIT AGO IS REALLY UNFOUNDED. THAT'S NOT THE REALITY OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS JUST TO ALLOW THE OPTION IF THEY WANTED TO -- IF THE PRESIDENT OF COCA-COLA WANTED TO COME IN HERE AND BRING HIS OWN DRIVER FROM GEORGIA, HE WOULD HAVE THAT OPTION UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE BILL. BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY SMALL, RARE OCCURRENCE. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN ARMY OF DRIVERS COMING IN HERE TO TAKE OVER JOBS FROM LOCAL PEOPLE. YES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE A QUESTION IN REGARD TO SOMETHING YOU JUST SAID ABOUT THE COCA-COLA REPRESENTATIVE COMING IN HERE IN HIS OWN LIMO WITH HIS OWN DRIVER. ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO GET A TEMPORARY PERMIT -- >> YES. >>FAYE CULP: -- IN ORDER FOR HIM TO DRIVE THE PERSON? I DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THAT CAN BE -- >> IF HE'S -- THE ATTORNEY FROM OUR BOARD CAN ANSWER THIS BETTER THAN I CAN, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS IF YOU'RE A FOR- HIRE DRIVER DRIVING A LIMOUSINE RENTED BY THE PERSON THAT'S HIRING YOU FOR THAT PURPOSE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE -- YOU KNOW, THE BACKGROUND CHECK AND GET A TEMPORARY PERMIT, BUT AGAIN, ORLANDO -- >>FAYE CULP: I SOMEHOW DON'T AGREE WITH THAT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: JUST A MOMENT, REPRESENTATIVE CULP. I WILL RECOGNIZE YOU. PLEASE NO COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE. IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK, I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO GIVE YOU THAT OPPORTUNITY. REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S CORRECT. SOMEHOW I THINK SOMEONE COMING IN HERE, DRIVING IN FROM ANOTHER STATE IN HIS OWN PRIVATE LIMO WITH HIS OWN PRIVATE DRIVER WOULD NOT HAVE TO GET A PERMIT FOR BEING IN OUR STATE. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S CORRECT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IN OTHER WORDS, IF I OWN A LIMOUSINE AND I LIVE IN MIAMI AND I JUST -- BECAUSE -- BECAUSE I OWN IT AND I DRIVE UP HERE, HAVE MY DRIVER BRING ME, DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS OF HAVING TO GET MY DRIVER TO BE LICENSED WHEN I OWN MY LIMO AND HE'S -- OKAY. >> ORLANDO PEREZ IS OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND HE'S THE AUTHORITY ON THESE LEGAL ISSUES. HE COULD -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. I'LL DEFER TO HIM. COUNSELOR, WOULD YOU COME BEFORE US AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, PLEASE. >>ORLANDO PEREZ: GOOD MORNING. ORLANDO PEREZ WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. OUR OFFICE -- SURE. OUR OFFICE WORKS WITH THE PTC, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION. THE SPECIAL ACT THAT SPEAKS IN TERMS OF COMPENSATION AND FOR-HIRE VEHICLES -- SO IF YOU HAPPEN TO OWN A LIMO AND YOU COME DOWN AND YOU'RE ENJOYING THE EVENT IN YOUR OWN LIMO AND YOU'RE NOT REALLY OFFERING YOUR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC IN FOR-HIRE CAPACITIES, YOU WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE PTC'S REGULATION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ARE THERE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? SENATE -- NO, THAT MICROPHONE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE WORKING WELL. >>FAYE CULP: TOUCH IT AND SEE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS HAS A QUESTION. PLEASE DON'T LEAVE. DON'T LEAVE, COUNSELOR. >>RONDA STORMS: I WONDER IF HTV PEOPLE COULD CHECK THAT MICROPHONE, IF YOU DON'T MIND. ANYWAY, THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS I'M -- I HATE TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS TO VIC DiMAIO HERE. I KNOW YOU TALKED TO ME ON THE PHONE, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE BENEFIT OF SENATOR CRIST'S QUESTION, AND I THINK THAT THOSE ARE -- THOSE ARE EXCELLENT QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ADDRESSED, AND YOU-ALL SEEM TO HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS MATTER, SO CAN YOU -- MADAM CHAIR, I'M GOING TO ASK A QUESTION TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS ON PUBLIC COMMENT. SIR, MR. -- SIR WITH THE BEARD. SORRY. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>RONDA STORMS: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. >> MAN WITH THE BEARD. >> HE SPEAKS BETTER ENGLISH. >>RONDA STORMS: COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> MOSHE LEIB. >>RONDA STORMS: OKAY, SIR. [LAUGHTER] WOULD -- IN YOUR OPINION, DOES THIS -- WOULD THIS LEND ITSELF TOWARD OUTSIDE DRIVERS COMING FROM CHICAGO AND NEW YORK AND DRIVING DOWN HERE DURING SUPER BOWL TIME? >> DEFINITELY. AS YOU HEARD, CAREY INTERNATIONAL HAS THE CONTRACT WITH THE NFL. THE WAY THEY WORK, THEY COME INTO TOWN, THEY SET SHOP HERE, THEY GET ALL THE AFFILIATES. THEY ALL COME DOWN. 1,300 CARS IN MIAMI, I HAVE THE NUMBERS FROM MIAMI, 200 PERMITS FOR COMPANIES, 1,300 LIMOUSINES. >>RONDA STORMS: SO FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, I -- MR. -- MADAM CHAIR AND SIR AND MR. DiMAIO -- >> YES, MA'AM. >>RONDA STORMS: -- I WANT TO SUPPORT -- IF WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO ATTRACT SUPER BOWLS TO COME HERE, IT'S NOT WITH THE GENERAL BENEVOLENT PURPOSE TO ENTERTAIN THE NATION AND PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO THE NATION, IT'S TO BENEFIT OUR PEOPLE HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. >> I AGREE. >>RONDA STORMS: AND FOR THAT REASON, I'M TROUBLED BY THE BILL, AND SO I'M TROUBLED BY ALLOWING OTHER PEOPLE TO COME IN AND CHERRY-PICK. I'M VERY TROUBLED BY THAT. >> I HAVE ONE MORE NUMBER FOR YOU GUYS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: GO AHEAD, MR. LEIB. >> CAN I SPEAK? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >> IN JACKSONVILLE -- WE HAD THE SUPER BOWL IN JACKSONVILLE TWO YEARS AGO. I HAVE THE NUMBERS FROM CAREY INTERNATIONAL. THE NIGHT AFTER SUPER BOWL, BETWEEN 3:00 A.M. AND 8:00 A.M. THEY HAD 500 AIRPORT RUNS. [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] FROM THE JACKSONVILLE GUYS. 500 RUNS IN FIVE HOURS AFTER THE SUPER BOWL. THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE THOSE CONTRACTS. AND WE CANNOT CONTRACT WITH THE NFL. NO WAY. >>RONDA STORMS: THAT'S NOT FAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT HAPPENED IN JACKSONVILLE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION THAT REGULATES WHAT GOES ON THERE, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, WE'RE THE ONLY ONE IN THE STATE THAT HAS THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION BY STATUTE THAT REGULATES WHAT GOES ON AND CONTROLS IT THROUGH THE LOCAL TAXICAB COMPANIES, LOCAL LIMO COMPANIES. THEY'RE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO BRING THESE PEOPLE IN, SO IT DOES BENEFIT OUR LOCAL PEOPLE. AND JACKSONVILLE DOES NOT HAVE THAT. ANYBODY WHO HAS A CAR CAN BE A TAXI DRIVER IN JACKSONVILLE. THAT'S THE PROBLEM YOU'RE DEALING WITH. >> THE LAW IS GOOD AS IT IS. WE SHOULDN'T CHANGE IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MY QUESTION IS TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH DRIVERS LOCAL TO TAKE CARE OF THE SUPER BOWL OR ANY OTHER EVENT THAT COMES INTO THE AREA? YOU SERVED ON THAT COMMITTEE; RIGHT? >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU DO NOT -- EXCUSE ME. >>BETTY REED: COMMISSION, I'M SORRY. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VEHICLES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY OR THOSE WHO ARE CERTIFIED BY THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO HANDLE THE VOLUME THAT' YOU'LL HAVE FROM A SUPER BOWL, YOU NEED TO BRING THEM IN FROM OTHER COUNTIES, AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SPONSOR THE COMPANIES TO COME IN, AND THEY USUALLY USE LOCAL OR FLORIDA COMPANIES TO BRING IN -- WHETHER IT'S PINELLAS COUNTY, PASCO, AND SO ON, MIAMI, ORLANDO. WHEREVER THEY NEED TO GET THE VEHICLES FROM, THEY BRING THEM IN BECAUSE THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS A LONG LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING TO GET A VEHICLE FOR THE SUPER BOWL. THEY'VE COME HERE, THEY'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY, AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE FOR THEM. >>BETTY REED: FOLLOW-UP, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>BETTY REED: SO COULD THESE -- THESE COMPANIES THAT ARE COMING IN, COULD THAT BE REGULATED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE USING PEOPLE FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA WHERE OUR DOLLARS ARE GOING TO -- THE RESOURCES WILL COME BACK IN TO THE COMMUNITY? >>RICH GLORIOSO: THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION CERTIFIES COMPANIES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND THEY WOULD BE THE ONES THAT WOULD HAVE TO SPONSOR THE OTHER COMPANIES TO COME IN AND WORK FOR THEM ON A LICENSE WITH THEM, SO THERE ARE -- THEY DO HIRE LOCALLY. I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT THEY TRY TO DO. THEY DON'T WANT TO BRING SOMEONE FROM MIAMI IF THEY'VE GOT SOMEONE FROM PINELLAS COUNTY. >>BETTY REED: MADAM CHAIR, ONE FINAL FOLLOW-UP. IS IT POSSIBLE, THEN, TO HAVE ADDED TO THIS BILL THAT THIS IS A FLORIDA SITUATION, YOU KNOW? THE RESOURCES ARE USED IN FLORIDA, THE SUPER BOWL IS IN FLORIDA, THEN WE CAN -- CAN WE RESTRICT THAT? IS THAT ILLEGAL TO DO THAT? LEGAL MINDS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE. >>RICH GLORIOSO: I'M NOT SURE THAT -- THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO THAT. RIGHT NOW WITH THE PROCESS THAT THE PTC HAS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION HAS, THEY REVIEW ALL THE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND SO ON. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU WANT THESE DRIVER LICENSE BACKGROUND CHECKS IS WHILE I WAS ON THE PTC, WE HAD AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS A CERTIFIED EMT THAT CAME TO GET HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE. TURNS OUT HE WAS A CHILD MOLESTER. HAD A BACKGROUND OF THAT WHEN HE CAME TO FLORIDA. AND SO YOU WANT THE BACKGROUND CHECKS SO YOU MAKE SURE SOMEBODY WHO GETS IN A CAB OR LIMO, THEY'RE NOT IN THERE WITH AN UNDESIRABLE OF SOME TYPE OR TERRORIST. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL -- I MEAN WEATHERFORD. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I THINK THE SENATOR HAS BROUGHT UP SOME INTERESTING POINTS IN REGARDS -- I THINK WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR, YOU KNOW, LOCAL RESOURCES USED FIRST, OUR LOCAL TAXIS AND LIMOUSINE SERVICES USED FIRST, BUT I'VE JUST GOT TO BELIEVE A COMPANY LIKE CAREY LIMOUSINE -- AND I DON'T KNOW THESE FOLKS AND I'M NOT OVERLY FAMILIAR WITH THEIR ORGANIZATION, BUT TO ME IT WOULD MAKE FISCAL SENSE THAT THEY WOULD USE THE LOCAL LIMOUSINE DRIVERS AND TAXICAB DRIVERS FIRST BEFORE THEY WOULD BRING SOMEONE FROM CALIFORNIA OR NEW YORK OR NORTH CAROLINA OR ANYWHERE ELSE. IT -- TO ME, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE, AND I WOULD THINK THAT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A BUNCH OF TAXICAB DRIVERS AND LIMOUSINE DRIVERS WHO ARE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SITTING, YOU KNOW, WITH NOTHING TO DO ON SUPER BOWL WEEKEND WHEN, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE BIGGEST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR IN THIS CITY. I JUST -- I SHARE THE CONCERN, BUT I'D LIKE TO LET NATURAL FORCES TAKE ITS COURSE HERE BECAUSE I THINK THAT THESE COMPANIES PROBABLY HAVE THIS DOWN TO A SCIENCE SINCE THEY HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE NFL, AND IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT THEY WOULD UTILIZE THE LOCAL RESOURCES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I THINK THIS BILL IS A GOOD BILL. IT DOES TWO THINGS. IT CREATES BACKGROUND CHECKS, WHICH IS A GOOD THING, AND MAKES SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY THERE, AND IT GIVES -- ALL IT DOES IS GIVE THEM THE FLEXIBILITY TO BRING PEOPLE IN FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE WITH TEMPORARY LICENSES IF NEEDED, AND I THINK BRINGING PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE WOULD ONLY BE BROUGHT IN IF THEY NEED THOSE RESOURCES. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE DO HAVE ONE OTHER PERSON FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY THAT WE DIDN'T HEAR, MR. ANDREACAUCUS, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO THE MEMBERS. >> GOOD MORNING. IT'S ANDREADAKIS. I HAVE A PACKET THAT I'D LIKE TO GIVE EVERYBODY. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I APOLOGIZE FOR MISPRONOUNCING YOUR NAME. >> THAT'S OKAY. I'M USED TO IT. I HAVE A PACKET THAT I'D LIKE TO GIVE TO EVERYBODY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH, WE'LL GET IT. >> THERE'S THREE SETS OF DOCUMENTS FOR YOU. GIVEN THE DEBATE -- I'VE ONLY GOT THREE MINUTES TO TALK. MY NAME IS KLEANTHIS ANDREADAKIS. I REPRESENT THE FLORIDA INTRASTATE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE. I'M ALSO A LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR. I OWN MY OWN INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I USED TO WORK AS A DRIVER AND A BUSINESS MANAGER FOR A COMPANY THAT WAS A CERTIFICATE HOLDER UNDER THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. I'VE HAD SOME PAST DEALINGS WITH THEM. SENATOR CRIST KNOWS SOME OF THE CONFLICTS THAT WE'VE HAD. GIVEN THE NATURE OF WHAT THE DISCUSSION WAS, PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THAT I WAS GOING TO ADDRESS HAS BEEN COVERED, BUT I WANTED TO COVER A COUPLE THINGS REAL QUICK AND CORRECT A COUPLE, I GUESS, FACTUAL ERRORS. THE FIRST REAL QUICK IS THE BACKGROUND CHECKS. AS AN INVESTIGATOR, THE BACKGROUND CHECK IS INCONSISTENT. YOU PULL AN NCIC REPORT, WHICH IS A STATISTICAL DATABASE FROM THE FBI. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM. IT NEVER WAS. IT'S A DATABASE THAT COMPILES INFORMATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THEY GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACCESS TO THAT DATABASE. THAT INFORMATION IS NOT TO BE DIVULGED OUTSIDE OF THE CONFINES OF THE REQUEST. IT'S ILLEGAL FOR ANYBODY TO DIVULGE IS OUTSIDE OF THE CONFINES OF THE REQUEST. THE PTC WAS ACTUALLY CITED BY I BELIEVE THE FBI. THEY WERE SCOLDED FOR LETTING INFORMATION OUT OF THE NCIC REQUEST MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ALLOW THEM TO GET BACK INTO THIS DATABASE TO PULL THIS INFORMATION. SECONDLY, THE PTC IS A PUBLIC AGENCY SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE LAWS. HOW CAN A REPORT THAT'S A BACKGROUND CHECK, THAT'S A CONFIDENTIAL BACKGROUND CHECK AT A FEDERAL LEVEL BE PUT INTO PUBLIC RECORD WHEN IT'S ILLEGAL FOR THEM TO GO AHEAD AND RELEASE IT OUTSIDE THE CONFINES OF THE REQUEST? GO LOOK AT MY FILE. THEY PULLED AN NCIC ON ME WHEN THEY DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO ARREST ME. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE DIVULGED IT. IT'S ILLEGAL. BUT THEY DID. THE OTHER THING IS FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE INCONSISTENT. I HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL -- CAN'T DISCLOSE BECAUSE OF MY CONFIDENTIALITY WITH REGARD TO MY BUSINESS, BUT I HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS THREE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE CHARGES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. ON HIS STATE OF FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE, THEY DON'T SHOW. ON HIS STATE OF TEXAS DRIVER'S LICENSE, THEY DON'T SHOW. ON HIS FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECK, THEY DON'T SHOW. OKAY. YOU HAVE INCONSISTENT DRIVING LAWS AND CRIMINAL LAWS THROUGHOUT THE NATION. SOME OFFENSES ARE CRIMINALIZED IN ONE STATE. OTHER OFFENSES ARE NONCRIMINAL TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS. THEY DON'T SHOW UP. YOU'RE LOOKING AT INCONSISTENCIES AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE SCOPE OF DOING A BACKGROUND CHECK. WHAT'S THE PURPOSE BEHIND IT? THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE FINANCIAL IMPACT WITH REGARDS TO THIS BILL. I'LL MAKE ONE STATEMENT, AND YOU CAN LOOK AT YOUR PACKET AND READ THROUGH IT. THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT THE IMPACT STATEMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY ESTIMATE OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY PUBLIC VEHICLE DRIVER'S LICENSES AS IT WILL HAVE ON THE LOCAL BUSINESSES. OKAY? YOU CANNOT PIGGYBACK PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE OF THIS AREA ON A CERTIFICATE HOLDER IN THIS AREA TO ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE FOR THE SUPER BOWL. IT'S AGAINST THE SPECIAL ACT, IT'S ILLEGAL, IT'S ALSO CONSIDERED INSURANCE FRAUD. I HAVE LETTERS FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT CERTIFY YOU CAN'T OWN A COMPANY AND DO A DBA WITH ANOTHER COMPANY WHO IS NOT YOUR COMPANY. YOU HAVE TO PUT THEM UNDER YOUR INSURANCE FOR PTC STANDARDS. I MEAN, READ THE SPECIAL ACT. IT'S ALL IN THERE. SO THESE ARE PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. AGAIN, I COULD GET INTO MORE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER THEM. THAT COVERS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT. I'M IN OPPOSITION OF THE BILL. I THINK IT NEEDS TO GO BACK AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECONSIDERED, AND I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME PUBLIC COMMENT TAKEN ON IT. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST -- A QUICK QUESTION. ACTUALLY, IT'S DIRECTED TO REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. COULD YOU ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT THE SPEAKER JUST MENTIONED REGARDING THE -- THAT WE CAN'T DO THESE THINGS? AND DOES THIS SUPERSEDE THOSE -- THE EXISTING RULES OF THE PTC? >>RICH GLORIOSO: I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PTC. I MEAN, HE'S RAISING LEGAL QUESTIONS, AND FORTUNATELY I'M NOT A LAWYER. [LAUGHTER] >>RON REAGAN: WELL, WAS THAT FORTUNATELY? OKAY. GOOD. [LAUGHTER] MADAM CHAIR, IF WE CAN. I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE COMMENTS THAT THE FORMER SPEAKER JUST BROUGHT UP. >>ORLANDO PEREZ: YES. THANK YOU. ORLANDO PEREZ AGAIN. I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT SITUATION. CURRENTLY THERE IS THE ABILITY TO GET THE STATE DATABASE, SO WE DO THE FLORIDA SEARCH, AND THAT HAPPENS NOW. BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN WEAKNESSES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED IN THAT IF SOMEONE COMMITS A CRIME IN SOME OTHER STATE OR A FEDERAL CRIME, THAT INFORMATION DOESN'T COME TO US WHEN YOU DO THE FDLE SEARCH, SO THIS LEGISLATION IS ATTEMPTING TO GET AT THAT BY REQUIRING THAT THE APPLICANT PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE AND PROVIDE US WITH THE FEDERAL INFORMATION, WHICH WILL CAPTURE THOSE CRIMES IN OTHER STATES AND FEDERAL CRIMES AS WELL, SO THAT WOULD -- THE PTC WOULD BE BETTER INFORMED BEFORE ISSUING A LICENSE TO SOMEONE. WITH REGARD TO THE DISCLOSURE OF THAT INFORMATION, I DON'T RECALL THAT EVER COMING UP, AND I HAVEN'T PERSONALLY LOOKED INTO THAT TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY ISSUE WITH HOW THE PTC IS HANDLING OR MANAGING THAT INFORMATION, BUT CERTAINLY, HAVING THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL IN THE PTC'S DECISIONMAKING AS FAR AS WHETHER SOMEONE SHOULD BE LICENSED. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: FOLLOW-UP? >>RON REAGAN: MADAM CHAIR, ACTUALLY JUST A GENERAL QUESTION. MAYBE REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO CAN ANSWER THIS ONE. AND BY THE WAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THIS. IS THIS A GENERAL BILL, A LOCAL BILL? WILL IT BE FILED AS A LOCAL BILL? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LOCAL BILL. >>RON REAGAN: THANK YOU. NO OTHER QUESTIONS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: [INAUDIBLE] >> CAN I COMMENT FURTHER ON THAT BACKGROUND CHECK ISSUE? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: A COUPLE OF MINUTES. >> THE -- IT IS AN ISSUE. IF YOU CHECK WITH THE FEDERAL LAW -- AGAIN, THE DATABASE THAT'S MAINTAINED BY THE FBI, IT'S CALLED THE NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION COMPUTER OR CENTER, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. YOU CAN GO ON-LINE AND CHECK IT. IT'S A DATABASE THAT IS MANAGED FOR STATISTICAL CRIME REPORTING STATS FOR CITIES AND GOVERNMENTS, MUNICIPALITIES. THE CITY OF TAMPA GETS THE REPORT IN HOW MANY ARRESTS THEY'VE HAD FOR XYZ CRIME, AND IT GOES INTO THIS DATABASE AND COMPILED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. IT'S THERE. IT'S USED. I HAD TO GO THROUGH IT WHEN I BECAME A LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR. I HAD TO GO THROUGH IT FOR OTHER LICENSES THAT I HOLD. THE INFORMATION THAT'S DIVULGED TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF DIVISION OF LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER SERVICES, THAT IS THE ONE WHO MANAGES MY LICENSE AS A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR. IF YOU PULL A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST, THAT OF WHICH THE PTC DID ON ME AND GOT AN ENTIRE COPY OF MY FILE, THERE IS NO COPY OF MY NCIC FILE IN THERE. IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. SO HOW IS IT THAT AN AGENCY THAT'S A PUBLIC AGENCY -- AND ANYTHING IN MY FILE IS PUBLIC RECORD. IF YOU GO TO MY FILE TODAY, MY NCIC REPORT IS IN MY FILE AT THE PTC. HOW IS IT THEY CAN DIVULGE THAT INFORMATION OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF WHAT THE REQUEST WAS FOR? SO THERE'S SOME CONCERNS THERE. AND IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I HAVE ANOTHER PERSON FROM THE PUBLIC. MR. TOM ADERHOLD. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. TOM ADERHOLD. MY COMPANY, PHR ASSOCIATES, HAS DONE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS FOR OUR CORPORATE CLIENTS OVER THE YEARS, ONE OF WHICH IS VETTING THEIR STAFF. WE HAVE DONE BACKGROUND CHECKS AT MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS OVER MANY YEARS IN MANY DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES. I'D LIKE TO TRY AND CLARIFY AN ISSUE FOR YOU. YOU'VE BEEN TOLD PARTS OF THE STORY. THE BILL REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS IS VERY VALID. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY COMPANY WHO WOULD EVER NOT DO A BACKGROUND CHECK IF IT HAD TO DO WITH AT LEAST PUBLIC SAFETY. OUR CORPORATE CLIENTS HAVE ROUTINELY DONE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON PRIVATE SAFETY ISSUES, CORPORATE SAFETY ISSUES. WHEN IT DEALS WITH CUSTOMERS, THE PUBLIC, EVEN CO- EMPLOYEES, PLEASE DO BACKGROUND CHECKS, PERIOD. NOW, HOW DO YOU DO THEM? VERY SIMPLY DONE. IF YOU DO -- THE ISSUES THAT I'VE HEARD HERE CAN EASILY BE ACCOMPLISHED BY WHAT'S KNOWN AS A "LEVEL II" FBI BACKGROUND CHECK. IT LITERALLY -- THE TWO PART -- THE FIRST PART IS FDLE. YOU DO THAT NOW. THE SECOND PART IS FBI. THERE ARE TWO THINGS AVAILABLE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THE NCIC IS A PRIVILEGED DATABASE, AS THE GENTLEMAN HAS SAID, BUT YOU DON'T WANT THAT, YOU DON'T NEED THAT. SIMPLY GO TO THE FBI AND SAY, RUN YOUR CHECK. THEY LITERALLY WILL THEN POLL ALL EXISTING STATE REPOSITORIES. ONE THING THAT FLORIDA HAS THAT A LOT OF OTHER STATES DON'T HAVE IS WHAT WE CALL A "STATE REPOSITORY." EVERY JURISDICTIONS REQUIRED TO REPORT ALL CRIMINAL RECORDS INTO THE STATE REPOSITORY. SO THE FBI, WHEN YOU SAY FBI, PLEASE DO A BACKGROUND CHECK, WHAT THEY LITERALLY DO IS POLL ALL THE OTHER STATE REPOSITORIES, CRIMINAL RECORDS REPOSITORIES. THEY THEN REPORT THEIR FINDINGS BACK IN ADDITION TO THE FDLE CHECK. IT IS DONE EVERY DAY ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE NO PROHIBITIONS ON THE INFORMATION. IT IS THERE. IT IS NOT ANY PRIVILEGED INFORMATION THAT'S NOT ALREADY CONTAINED IN PUBLIC RECORDS. WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS LOOK AT PUBLIC RECORDS INFORMATION, NOT I'M GOING TO SAY COVERT BUT PRIVILEGED INFORMATION KEPT ON STATISTICAL BASIS OR ANY OTHER NEFARIOUS SORTS OF GATHERING INFORMATION. PLEASE LOOK AT THE BILL AND BE SURE YOU ASK FOR PUBLIC RECORDS. BOTH ARE AVAILABLE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL THROUGH THE FBI. VERY EASILY DONE. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE MORE THAN PLEASED TO ADDRESS THEM. I THINK YOU WANT TO BACK THE PART OF THE BILL THAT DOES THE FBI LEVEL II BACKGROUND CHECK. >>RONDA STORMS: MADAM CHAIR, A QUESTION. >> AND PLEASE MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN LEVEL II AND NCIC. TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, TOM. SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: I JUST HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS. THAT IS I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT A BACKGROUND CHECK. I USED TO SIT ON PTC, A MORE BUREAUCRATIC, HYPER-REGULATORY AGENCY I HAVE YET TO MEET. THEY REGULATE DOWN TO -- AND EVERYTHING BECOMES A PUBLIC SAFETY THING. YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO KNOW -- I SUPPORT FREE MARKET AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE. I CERTAINLY DO, BUT WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE A HYPER-REGULATED AGENCY, IT GETS TO THE POINT OF RIDICULOUSNESS. THEY REGULATE WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN WEAR SOCKS WITH YOUR SHOES AS A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY. NOW, I HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BEFORE BUT NEVER BY A PAIR OF SOCKS OR BY A PAIR OF FEET WITHOUT SOCKS. THAT'S NOT RATED HIGH ON MY LIST OF PUBLIC SAFETY MATTERS. AND SO -- SO IF YOU WANT TO DO A BACKGROUND CHECK TO CATCH THE LEGITIMATE THINGS, THEN I THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE PURPOSE OF REGULATION, FINE. I'LL DO THAT. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO -- I'M NOT GOING TO REGULATE -- BE A PART OF USING REGULATORY AUTHORITY TO SHUT HONEST SMALL BUSINESSMEN OUT FROM DOING A JOB. YOU GOT A LITTLE GUY WHO RUNS A LIMOUSINE SHOP AND HE WANTS TO RUN -- AND HE'S SEEN THE SUPER BOWL, AND HE THINKS, I'M GOING TO BE HOPPING BUSY DURING THE SUPER BOWL, AND SUDDENLY A NEW YORK COMPANY COMES FROM OUT OF TOWN AND SAYS -- THAT THE NFL HAS PRECONTRACTED WITH AND SAID, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANY BUSINESS -- AND NOW THE GUY -- LITTLE PARADISE LIMOUSINES WHO DOES HIS LITTLE BUSINESS, IS HOPING FOR THE SUPER BOWL, HIS PHONE NEVER RINGS BECAUSE THIS OTHER OUTSIDE STATE HAS A BIG CALL CENTER WITH ALL THE CALLS GOING RIGHT THERE, AND THEY CAN PREBOOK IT, AND LITTLE PARADISE LIMOUSINE -- I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF PARADISE LIMOUSINE ACTUALLY EXISTS, BY THE WAY, BUT IT'S SITTING THERE BY THE PHONE GOING, HOW COME I DIDN'T GET A SINGLE CALL DURING SUPER BOWL? SO I'M FOR THE FREE MARKET, BUT YOU ALREADY HAVE A HYPER- REGULATED AGENCY HERE THAT REGULATES DOWN TO WHETHER THESE GUYS CAN WEAR SOCKS OR NOT. I'M NOT GOING TO REGULATE SOME POOR GUY OUT OF BUSINESS, A POOR, SMALL BUSINESS GUY OUT OF BUSINESS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO. >> WELL SENATOR STORMS, LET ME CLARIFY A COUPLE THINGS IF YOU'LL GIVE ME THE CHANCE. >>RONDA STORMS: HERE'S WHAT I WANT TO DO. IF THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL WILL TAKE OUT -- IF THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL WILL TAKE OUT THE OFFENSIVE LET THEM COME OUT- OF-STATE PART AND JUST DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK, THEN I'LL SUPPORT YOUR BILL. AMEND THE BILL TO DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK AND YOU'VE GOT IT, BUT AS TO THIS OTHER THING ABOUT ALLOWING OTHER PEOPLE TO COME OUT, NO. SEE, THEY SHOULD NEGOTIATE WITH THESE SMALL BUSINESS GUYS AND SAY -- IF THEY BOOK IT, SAY, HEY, WE GOT THE BOOKING AND CAN WE USE IT AND CHARGE A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEN PICK UP ALL THESE GUYS, SUBCONTRACT WITH THEM ALL? >> [INAUDIBLE] >>RONDA STORMS: THAT'S WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN. THAT'S MY TERMS. I'LL SUPPORT IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. SHE'LL SUPPORT IT IF YOU'LL AMEND OUT EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE BACKGROUND CHECK. SENATOR -- I MEAN REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YEAH. HE'S LOOKING FOR HIGHER OFFICE ANYWAY. GO AHEAD. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I HAVE A QUESTION. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS BILL IS, IS THAT IF WE ALLOW -- AND CORRECT -- I ASK THIS QUESTION OF THE SPONSOR. THE WAY I READ THE BILL AND THE WAY IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME WAS THAT IF WE'RE ALLOWING DRIVERS LICENSED OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA WITH CHAUFFEUR'S LICENSES TO COME IN -- AND SUBJECT TO BACKGROUND CHECKS -- THEY STILL CAN ONLY COME IN IF THEY ARE SUBCONTRACTORS UNDER FLORIDA OR LOCAL VENDORS. >> RIGHT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S NOT LIKE WE ARE ESSENTIALLY PUSHING LOCAL VENDORS OUT IN FAVOR OF SAYING -- INVITING OUT ALL THE OUTSIDE VENDORS. I THOUGHT THE BILL WAS SET UP SO THAT THE OUT-OF-STATE DRIVERS HAD TO BE SUBCONTRACTED BY OUR LOCAL VENDORS, SO THAT KEEPS LOCAL CONTROL -- >> RIGHT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: -- IN THE TYPE OF CONTRACTING THAT THE SENATOR IS CONCERNED ABOUT, BUT IF THE BILL DOES NOT REQUIRE THE OUT-OF-STATE CHAUFFEURS TO BE SUBCONTRACTED LOCAL VENDORS, THEN I THINK THE SENATOR'S POINT IS WELL TAKEN. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. I BELIEVE -- AND WHERE YOU'RE GETTING AT THAT IS THE EXISTING STATUTE THAT CONTROLS THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. THAT'S WHERE THOSE OTHER LAWS ARE THAT REQUIRE THEM TO COME IN THROUGH BEING SPONSORED BY AN EXISTING CERTIFICATE HOLDER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: AND THAT'S NOT CHANGING. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THAT'S NOT CHANGING. >>RONDA STORMS: BUT YOU ARE ALLOWING OUTSIDE GUYS TO COME IN, AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO -- >>RICH GLORIOSO: ONLY IF THEY'RE SPONSORED BRING A CERTIFIED COMPANY. >>RONDA STORMS: OUT -- FROM OUTSIDE. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THEY HAVE TO BE HIRED ON BY A LOCAL COMPANY. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. LET'S HAVE SOME ORDER HERE. SENATOR CRIST -- I MEAN SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: BUT THAT ONLY WORKS IF -- IF -- WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS, IS THEY HAVE TO BE SUBBED OUT. YOU JUST NEED ONE LOCAL COMPANY TO SUB OUT TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE IN NEW YORK, SO THAT LOCAL COMPANY -- IT MAY BE A SUBSIDIARY OF A MAJOR NATIONAL COMPANY OR WHO HAS OTHER -- OR -- YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? SO -- SO HERE'S THE WAY IT WORKS. THESE GUYS WHO HOLD THESE CERTIFICATES, THEY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER -- OTHER FOR-HIRE BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE NATION. THEY ARE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE PARENT CORPORATION, AND SO ALL THEY DO IS AGREE I'M GOING TO USE MY CERTIFICATE AND I'M GOING TO SUB -- I'LL BE THE SUBCONTRACTOR, AND YOU'RE THINKING THAT IT'S GOING TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES, BUT IT'S NOT BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY A NATIONAL COMPANY. FOR INSTANCE, YELLOW CAB IS YELLOW CAB IN NEW YORK, YELLOW CAB IN CHICAGO, YELLOW CAB EVERYWHERE, AND SO THEN THEY'RE -- YELLOW CAB TAMPA SUBS OUT FROM YELLOW CAB -- THEIR -- THAT'S A LOCAL BUSINESS, BUT IT'S REALLY YELLOW CAB, A NATIONAL COMPANY, JUST A FOR INSTANCE OF HOW THAT WENT. SO THEN LITTLE JOE'S TAXICAB SERVICE OVER HERE NEVER IS THE ONE WHO'S CALLED FOR THE SUBCONTRACT. WHY IS THAT? BECAUSE YELLOW CAB DOESN'T WANT TO HELP THEIR LOCAL COMPETITOR HERE. NO, NO, THEY WANT TO STRENGTHEN THE PARENT COMPANY, SO THEY'RE GOING TO BRING IN ALL THOSE SUBCONTRACTS FROM OUTSIDE, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL DOES. IT DOESN'T PROVIDE FOR A REQUIREMENT TO USE ALL AVAILABLE CERTIFICATES IN THAT DRIVING AREA OR WITHIN THE STATE. IT ONLY SAYS YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO SPONSOR IT FROM THAT AREA. AND THAT'S THE FATAL FLAW IN IT, IN MY OPINION. IF IT REQUIRED -- MADAM CHAIR, IF IT REQUIRED IT TO USE EVERY SINGLE CERTIFICATE HOLDER IN THE JURISDICTION FIRST, THEN THAT'S OKAY. THEN I WOULD DO THAT. BUT IT DOESN'T DO THAT. IT SAYS YOU JUST NEED TO SPONSOR IT FROM OUTSIDE. >>RICH GLORIOSO: MAKE THE AMENDMENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: MAKE THE AMENDMENT. MAKE THE AMENDMENT. >>RONDA STORMS: OKAY. >>RICH GLORIOSO: MAKE THE AMENDMENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. THEN I'LL MAKE THE AMENDMENT THAT THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE ALL EXISTING LICENSEES TO BE USED FIRST BEFORE USING OUTSIDE -- BEFORE USING OUTSIDE CONTRACT HOLDERS. >> YOU CAN'T DO THAT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: QUESTIONS. >> NOT QUESTIONS, DEBATE. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>RONDA STORMS: WELL, DIDN'T YOU TELL ME TO MAKE THE AMENDMENT? >>RICH GLORIOSO: YEAH, BUT -- [INAUDIBLE] GOTCHA, RONDA. [LAUGHTER] >>RONDA STORMS: JUST FAKING ME OUT THERE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: HE GOT YOU. YES, YOU MAY. >> AGAIN, I'M NOT THE ATTORNEY, BUT I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR FIVE YEARS NOW. OKAY. I KNOW THE SPECIAL ACT INSIDE AND OUT. I'VE CHALLENGED IT IN MANY COURTS, AND THAT'S NOT A THREAT. THAT'S JUST SAYING I'M VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THIS. UNDER THE CURRENT SPECIAL ACT, YOU CAN'T PIGGYBACK, OKAY. THE CURRENT WORDING, YOU CAN'T DO IT. IT WAS DONE IN 2001 WAS THE SUPER BOWL IN TAMPA, OKAY. THE PTC VIOLATED THE LAW. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS WHAT'S WRITTEN ON A PIECE OF PAPER. YOU CANNOT PIGGYBACK. YOU CANNOT BRING CORPORATIONS FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE OF FLORIDA OR OUTSIDE THE MUNICIPALITY WHO ARE NOT CERTIFICATE HOLDERS AND PIGGYBACK THEM ON A CERTIFICATE HOLDER. THERE ARE SOME VARIABLES WITH THAT OR REASONS WHY. FIRST IS INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. LOOK AT THE SPECIAL ACT. YOU HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE. IF I'M A CORPORATION AND I PIGGYBACK ANOTHER CORPORATION UNDER MY INSURANCE, THAT'S INSURANCE FRAUD. CAN'T DO IT. OKAY? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO EVEN BRING IN PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTY? IT'S NOT AN ISSUE OVER THE BILL. IT'S A DEFICIENT SPECIAL ACT. WE'RE TRYING TO REGULATE. AND JUST LIKE SENATOR STORMS SAID, WE'RE HYPER-REGULATING THIS INDUSTRY. IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME IN AND OPERATE, WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND CHANGE THE SPECIAL ACT TO PERMIT THAT. I'M ALL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. I'M ALL FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS. BY THE WAY, NOT EVERY STATE HAS A STATE REPOSITORY, AND NOT EVERY MUNICIPALITY REPORTS TO THE STATE REPOSITORY, OKAY, SO IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE AGAINST THIS STUFF. I'M JUST TIRED OF THE WORDING OF THE SPECIAL ACT. I WANT IT TO BE MORE CONSISTENT, AND INSTEAD OF MANDATING THE PROBLEM, YOU KNOW, LET'S ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT AND CHANGE IT SO IT'S BENEFICIAL FOR EVERYBODY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: JUST A QUICK QUESTION. HOW DID WE SURVIVE FROM THE LAST SUPER BOWLS WE'VE HAD IN TAMPA? >> WELL, YOU SURVIVED BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE GOING TO SUE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF THIS, ALL RIGHT. I MEAN, THAT'S HOW YOU SURVIVED. I DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER BACK THEN. NOW I KNOW BETTER. YOU CAN'T DO WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME. IF PEOPLE COME INTO THIS COUNTY AND THEY DON'T HAVE A STATE OF FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE UNDER THE CURRENT SPECIAL ACT, WHICH THEY DIDN'T HAVE LAST TIME THEY CAME IN -- LOOK, I WENT TO HOUSTON. I DROVE MY HUMMER TO HOUSTON, ALL RIGHT, TO GO AHEAD AND BE A PART OF WHAT WAS GOING ON OUT THERE. I WENT TO MIAMI FOR THE WORLD SERIES, YOU KNOW. I WAS TRYING TO GAIN BUSINESS AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER DRIVING AROUND TO TRY AND BRING IN THAT MONEY. THESE PLACES DIDN'T HAVE A SPECIAL ACT, A LOCAL WHATEVER. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A SPECIAL ACT, THEY HAD LOCAL ORDINANCES WHICH CAN BE WAIVED AND AMENDED. THIS IS A STATE LAW. WE HAVE TO COME TO YOU TO CHANGE THE STATE LAW TO MAKE CHANGES, AND IT WAS PUT IN THERE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE DIDN'T WANT -- YOU DIDN'T WANT AN ORGANIZATION HAVING TOO MUCH DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO CHANGE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY ORIGINALLY WANTED, AND IT'S IN THERE. THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: LET'S GET BACK ON TOPIC. YOU'RE ARGUING AGAINST THE PTC. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPECIAL ACT, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH INSURANCE, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VEHICLES. WE'RE TALKING DRIVER'S LICENSES ONLY. >> THAT'S THE SPECIAL ACT. >>RICH GLORIOSO: EXCUSE ME. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT CHANGING ANYTHING OTHER THAN DRIVER'S LICENSES. THAT'S ALL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. I THINK SOMEBODY HAD A -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: THE ONLY OTHER POINT THAT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT -- I MEAN, SET HIM ASIDE. YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IT IS HE'S SAYING, SET HIM ASIDE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS LAST TIME YOU HAD THESE LOCAL GUYS WHO WERE HERE THAT WERE HOPING TO MAKE MONEY, AND THEY GOT SHUT OUT OF THE PROCESS. THE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES GOT SHUT OUT OF THE PROCESS. WE ARE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. WE ARE FOR THE MARKET. WE ARE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, AND THE GUYS -- THE PTC AT THAT TIME DID GET SHUT OUT OF THE MARKET. WE -- WE'RE NOT ELECTED TO REPRESENT CHICAGO GUYS OR NEW YORK GUYS OR ANY OF THAT. WE ARE ELECTED FOR THE GUYS THAT ARE HERE TRYING TO MAKE A FUTURE AND A HOPE FOR THEMSELVES AND START THEIR OWN BUSINESS. THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO, AND WHAT THIS BILL DOES - - IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THE BILL, SUPPORT THE BACKGROUND CHECK. SINCE WE CANNOT AMEND THE BILL TO PROTECT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES -- AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS ALLOW THIS OUTSIDE CHERRY-PICKING -- PEOPLE WAIT THEIR WHOLE LIVES IN BUSINESS FOR THAT ONE OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS THEIR OPPORTUNITY, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY TO SOME OUTSIDE AGENCY? I JUST -- I JUST WISH THAT WE WOULDN'T DO THAT, MEMBERS. I WISH THAT WE WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, LET THE MARKET WORK. THESE PEOPLE PAID THEIR DUES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY'RE HERE EVERY DAY PAYING TAXES HERE. THEY SHOULD REAP SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF THE SUPER BOWL, AND SO I JUST WISH THAT YOU WOULD AMEND IT -- I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE AMEND -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS, I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU FOR -- >>RONDA STORMS: AN AMENDMENT? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO, I DIDN'T. SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: ARE WE IN DEBATE OR QUESTION-AND-ANSWER OR BOTH? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, LIKE WE DO IN COMMITTEE, WE GO BACK AND FORTH. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, FEEL FREE TO ASK IT. >>VICTOR CRIST: WELL, MY QUESTION IS OF MY COLLEAGUE SITTING NEXT TO ME. YOU KNOW, SHE SERVED FOR A GREAT AMOUNT OF TIME ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION. SHE SERVED ON A NUMBER OF LOCAL -- >>RONDA STORMS: SERVED ON PTC. >>VICTOR CRIST: -- COMMITTEES, AND DID YOU SERVE ON THE PTC? >>RONDA STORMS: YES, SIR, I DID. >>VICTOR CRIST: AND DURING YOUR TENURE ON THE PTC, DID YOU SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE IN PREVIOUS SUPER BOWLS? >>RONDA STORMS: YES, I DID. >>VICTOR CRIST: OKAY. AND TO BE CLEAR ON WHAT YOU DID SEE IN PREVIOUS SUPER BOWLS, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU SAW THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF USE OF OUR LOCAL COMPANIES WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIABLY BENEFITED FROM HAVING THE SUPER BOWL HERE; IS THAT CORRECT? >>RONDA STORMS: YES, I DID. YES, THAT'S RIGHT. >>VICTOR CRIST: OKAY. SO PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST WITH THIS DOOR BEING TEMPORARILY OPEN HAS BEEN AN INFLUX OF OUTSIDE COMPANIES COMING IN TO PROFITEER ON WHAT OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS HAVE HELPED TO FUND? >>RONDA STORMS: YES. >>VICTOR CRIST: AND YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS IS BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN? >>RONDA STORMS: YES. >>VICTOR CRIST: RIGHT TIME TO DEBATE, MADAM CHAIR? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S CONCERN HAS BEEN ADDRESSED. >> I'D LIKE TO CLARIFY A COUPLE THINGS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHO YOU REPRESENT BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HEARD THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HARMED EXCEPT THROUGH YOU. >> WHO I REPRESENT? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >> I REPRESENT MYSELF AS A FORMER BUSINESS OWNER AND CERTIFICATE HOLDER UNDER THE PTC, I REPRESENT THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. I AM A CONSUMER ON THE OUTSIDE. THAT'S WHO I REPRESENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ARE YOU PRESENTLY A CERTIFICATE HOLDER? >> NO, I'M NOT PRESENTLY A CERTIFICATE HOLDER. OUR COMPANY WAS RUN UNDERGROUND BY THE PTC ALLEGEDLY BECAUSE OF HYPER-REGULATORY PRACTICES LIKE THIS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. LEIB. >> MY NAME IS MOSHE LEIB. MOSHE. IT'S EASY. I AM A CERTIFICATE HOLDER. MY COMPANY NAME IS TB LIMO, TAMPA BAY LIMO, AND IF THIS ONE IS PASSING, I CAN JUST CLOSE DOWN AND GO HOME. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: HOW MANY VEHICLES DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR COMPANY? >> FOUR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: FOUR. WERE YOU HERE DURING THE LAST SUPER BOWL? >> NO. I STARTED AFTER THAT, BUT I DID THE ONE IN JACKSONVILLE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. >> AND I'VE SEEN WHAT WAS GOING ON THERE. THAT'S THE NUMBERS I GAVE YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. WE'VE HEARD ALL THE QUESTIONS. >> I'D LIKE TO CLARIFY A FEW THINGS THAT WERE SAID FOR THE RECORD. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] >> MADAM CHAIRMAN -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE DEBATE. >> MADAM CHAIRMAN, THERE WERE A COUPLE THINGS THAT WERE SAID, AND I'D REALLY LIKE TO CLARIFY THEM FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. WE'VE HEARD EVERYBODY ELSE. WE MIGHT AS WELL LET YOU -- [INDISCERNIBLE CROSS TALK] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LOOK. LET ME DO THIS. GO AHEAD. >> FIRST OF ALL, AGAIN, I WANT TO JUST REPEAT I WAS ON THE SUPER BOWL TASK FORCE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE DURING THE LAST SUPER BOWL. THERE WAS -- THERE'S A LOT OF NON-NFL-RELATED EVENTS THAT GO ON DURING THE SUPER BOWL. THERE'S AN MTV PARTY, THERE'S A MILLION PARTIES GOING ON DURING SUPER BOWL THAT CAREY LIMOUSINE AND THE NFL HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH, AND THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF LIMOUSINES REQUIRED, AND THEY WERE USED -- WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, SENATOR STORMS, I THINK A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS YOU HEARD HAVE BEEN EXAGGERATED. WE DIDN'T PUT ANYBODY OUT OF BUSINESS. THERE WAS A LOT OF BUSINESS THERE TO GO AROUND. LIKE YOU SAID, REPRESENTATIVE, THE NATURAL COURSE OF EVENTS THAT HAPPENS IS THE LOCAL GUYS GET THE FIRST PICK BECAUSE THEY'RE HERE. IT'S MORE CONVENIENT TO GET THE LOCAL GUYS THAT WORK, THAT HAVE THE LIMOUSINES, THAT HAVE THE CABS. WE -- LAST TIME WE HAD THE SUPER BOWL WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TAXIS, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM PINELLAS COUNTY TO COME OVER TO SERVICE WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE THIS BIG, MASSIVE BUNCH OF BUSINESS, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY DROVE ALL AROUND TAMPA, AND THERE WASN'T A THAT MUCH BUSINESS BECAUSE THE NFL HAD PREARRANGED TRANSPORTATION FOR A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE, SO THEY DON'T LEAVE MUCH, YOU KNOW, FOR CHANCE. BUT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE -- GET THE MOST OF THE BUSINESS THERE FIRST. IT HAPPENED -- I'VE WORKED ON THE LAST THREE SUPER BOWLS THAT WERE HERE IN TAMPA, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENED. I CAN'T -- I WAS ON A TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AND I TELL YOU, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THERE WAS MANY PEOPLE FROM THE INDUSTRY, FROM THE PTC THAT SERVED ON THIS. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS BILL, THERE'S TWO PARTS OF IT. ONE IS FOR THE FACT THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT STANDING WARRANTS, THEY JUST CROSSED THE BORDER IN GEORGIA THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO PICK UP WE FOUND OUT LATER ON. IN THAT PACKET I DISTRIBUTED, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A SUSPECTED TERRORIST THAT WE FOUND OUT LATER ON HAD APPLIED FOR A PERMIT THAT WAS CAUGHT BY THE FBI LATER ON, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT ABILITY, SO WE'RE EXPANDING -- TWO PARTS. WE'RE EXPANDING THE BACKGROUND CHECKS TO NATIONAL CHECKS, AND WE'RE JUST CHANGING THE LAW THAT SAYS TO ALLOW OUTSIDE- THE-STATE -- WHICH RIGHT NOW SAYS FLORIDA VALID DRIVER'S LICENSES, WHICH 99% OF THE BUSINESS IS GOING TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH -- WITH HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GRANT TEMPORARY PERMITS FOR JUST SEVEN DAYS AT A TIME TO OUT-OF- STATE LICENSES. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. THAT ENDS THE PUBLIC INPUT ON THIS BILL. NOW WE'LL GO INTO WORKSHOP SO THAT REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO CAN PROFFER A MOTION. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DEBATE HERE THIS MORNING, AND -- ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE. FIRST OF ALL, THE BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE VITAL, AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO THE BACKGROUND CHECKS, INCLUDING ALL THE WAY THROUGH -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: KEVIN, WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU TO FINISH. HE'S CLOSING. >>RICH GLORIOSO: ANYWAY, I THINK THAT THE VALIDITY OF BACKGROUND CHECKS ALL THE WAY THROUGH, INCLUDING THE TERRORIST WATCH LIST, IS VITAL, ESPECIALLY DURING A SUPER BOWL. I HEARD THE ISSUES ABOUT OUT OF STATE, AND I WILL, AT THIS TIME, ASK AN ATTORNEY BECAUSE I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY, THANKFULLY, TO MODIFY THAT BILL AND TAKE OUT ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH OUT OF STATE AND JUST LEAVE THE BACKGROUND CHECKS THROUGH THE FBI AND TERRORIST DATABASE IN IT, AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, AND I'LL LET THE EXPERTS TAKE CARE OF THAT FOR ME. >>RONDA STORMS: YOU AMENDED IT? [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO WANTS TO AMEND THE BILL TO TAKE OUT REFERENCES TO -- >>RICH GLORIOSO: OUT OF STATE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: -- OUT OF STATE AND JUST LEAVE THE BACKGROUND CHECKS IN. SO THE ONLY THING IT DOES IS ADD BACKGROUND CHECKS, SO I THINK THAT WE CAN ACCEPT THE MOTION WITHOUT THE -- >>RONDA STORMS: [INAUDIBLE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: ANY QUESTIONS ON IT? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: AND AMENDMENT THAT WOULD TAKE OUT THAT PORTION THAT HE WANTS OUT, WHICH -- AND LEAVE IN ONLY THE BACKGROUND CHECKS. >>RONDA STORMS: SO HE'S ABOUT TO MAKE THAT MOTION AS AN AMENDMENT, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT BEFORE WE PROCEED? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. THAT'S THE AMENDMENT. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THE OFFICIAL LINE ITEM, BUT I THINK WE HAVE THE SENSE OF IT TO TAKE OUT OF -- AMEND OUT OF THE BILL THAT PORTION DEALING WITH THE OUT-OF-STATE PORTION. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE OUT-OF-STATE PORTION ONLY AND LEAVE IN THE BACKGROUND CHECKS. >> IT REMOVES THE GRANTING OF ALLOWING -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, YES. >>BILL GALVANO: MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM IS THAT LINES 23 THROUGH 26 ON PAGE 4? >> PAGE 4. >>BILL GALVANO: I THINK THAT'S IT. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>RONDA STORMS: IS THIS -- >>BILL GALVANO: SECTION 8, SUBSECTION 1 OR 4-D. >>RICH GLORIOSO: AND ALSO ON LINE 16 WHERE IT SAYS, "ANY STATE." >>BILL GALVANO: OKAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SECTION 8. >> THE WHOLE SECTION. >> IT'S THE WHOLE SECTION. >>RICH GLORIOSO: AND I'LL DEFER TO THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. I THINK WHAT WE'LL WIND UP DOING IS DELETING THE LINES THAT WE ADDED ON LINE 14 TO 17 AND THE THINGS THAT WE ADDED ON LINE 23 TO 26; IS THAT CORRECT? >>BILL GALVANO: MADAM CHAIR, I THINK IT WOULD BE ALL SECTION 8, ALL THE CHANGES TO SECTION 8. >>RONDA STORMS: RIGHT. >> RIGHT. >>RONDA STORMS: ALL THE CHANGES. >> TO SECTION 8. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ALL OF THE CHANGES TO SECTION 8? >>RONDA STORMS: YES, MA'AM. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THE ATTORNEY WON AGAIN. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> NO. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WAIT A MINUTES. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WAIT A MINUTES. YES, REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD. SEE, THIS IS WHY -- >> TWO THINGS NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT, SECTION 8 IN ITS ENTIRETY, AND THEN LINES -- PAGE 3, LINES 27 THROUGH 33 -- ACTUALLY THROUGH 33 ALL THE WAY TO PAGE 4 THROUGH LINE 6. ALL THAT NEEDS TO COME OUT. THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY WOULD STAY WOULD BE SECTION 1, LINES 12 THROUGH 25 -- 26. THAT'S IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO HAS A COMMENT ON HIS BILL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: WHY WOULD WE NOT ALLOW TEMPORARY DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DRIVERS? I MEAN, TEMPORARY DRIVER'S LICENSES SHOULD BE ALLOWED. WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT OUT OF STATE NOW, OKAY? >> OKAY. >> ACTUALLY, THERE'S A SITUATION WHERE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU, MR. DiMAIO. >> I UNDERSTAND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE ARE OUT OF THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND ONLY DEALING WITH THE LEGISLATORS AND WORKSHOP. SO WE'VE GOT TO RECONCILE THIS UP HERE TO THE BEST OF OUR UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE. NOW, BACK TO TRYING TO TAKE OUT WHAT SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT, AND I'M DEFERRING TO ATTORNEYS AMBLER, GALVANO, AND THE SPONSOR ON THIS, AND SENATOR STORMS. I WANT ALL OF YOU LAWYERS TO GET THIS LANGUAGE CORRECT, PLEASE. >> SENATOR JOYNER. OKAY. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I THINK IF YOU JUST LEAVE IN SECTION 1 AND 3, WE'RE DONE. [RECESS TAKEN] >> MADAM CHAIRMAN, I THINK WE'VE GOT IS SOLVED. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. THE DELEGATION IS CALLED BACK TO ORDER. [SOUNDING GAVEL] THE DELEGATION IS CALLED BACK TO ORDER. WAIT A MINUTE. LET'S GET EVERYBODY. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO WILL NOW PROFFER HIS AMENDMENT. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. ISN'T CREATING LEGISLATION FUN? THE MOTION I MAKE IS THAT WE WILL DELETE THE LINES THAT WERE ADDED ON LINE 14 TO LINE 17 ON PAGE 4 UNDER SECTION 8, AND WE WILL DELETE THE LINES THAT WERE ADDED ON LINE NUMBER 23 THROUGH LINE NUMBER 26, AGAIN ON PAGE 4, WHICH BASICALLY ELIMINATES OUT-OF-STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE BUT LEAVES ALL THE BACKGROUND CHECKS IN AS WE STATED, AND THAT IS THE MOTION, MADAM CHAIRMAN. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: FOR THE RECORD, THEN, WE ARE ONLY LEAVING IN THE PORTION THAT DEALS WITH BACKGROUND CHECKS; IS THAT CORRECT? >>RICH GLORIOSO: YES, MA'AM. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, EXISTING -- WHAT ABOUT EXISTING LAW? THAT PORTION -- >> ANYTHING UNDERLINED IS NOT EXISTING. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SO WE'RE JUST REMOVING THE OUT-OF-STATE PORTION? >> RIGHT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: AND THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE AMENDMENT? >>RICH GLORIOSO: RIGHT. IT JUST ELIMINATES THE PORTIONS THAT WERE ADDED THAT REFERRED TO OUT-OF-STATE LICENSES. >>RONDA STORMS: QUESTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: THE RATIONALE FOR LEAVING IN ON PAGE 4, LINES 31 THROUGH 32, PROVIDING FURTHER, HOWEVER, THAT TEMPORARY PUBLIC VEHICLE DRIVER'S LICENSE ARE EXEMPT FROM THAT PROVISION -- THE RATIONALE FOR LEAVING THAT IN IS YOU DON'T WANT THEM -- ANY TEMPORARY DRIVER'S LICENSES TO BE AVAILABLE FOR ONE YEAR. YOU WANT THEM TO REMAIN SOLELY TEMPORARY DRIVER'S LICENSE? >>RICH GLORIOSO: EXACTLY. >>RONDA STORMS: AND THE RATIONALE FOR NOT REMOVING PAGE 3, LINES 27 THROUGH 33, IS THAT -- THAT THE -- THAT THAT REFERS SOLELY TO STATE -- IN-STATE FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE AND DOES NOT REFER TO OUT OF STATE. THE CURRENT EXISTING LAW REFERS TO IN-STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE HOLDERS. SO IF WE EXHAUST EVERYBODY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, YOU COULD BRING SOMEBODY IN FROM ORLANDO OR MIAMI OR SOME OTHER PLACE, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE OR EVEN PINELLAS COUNTY. IS THAT TRUE? >>RICH GLORIOSO: YES, MA'AM. >>RONDA STORMS: THANKS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. YOU'VE HEARD SENATOR -- REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO'S MOTION TO AMEND THE BILL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT, LET IT BE KNOWN BY A SIGN OF AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES] THOSE OPPOSED. BILL AS AMENDED -- IT PASSES, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. NOW WE'RE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. >>RICH GLORIOSO: WAIVE CLOSE. [LAUGHTER] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: HE'S WAIVED CLOSE. ALL DEBATE'S BEEN WAIVED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE -- YES -- AS AMENDED, WE WILL NOW HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: AND DON'T FORGET THERE WERE TWO AMENDMENTS ON THIS BILL. THIS IS LOCAL BILL 6 AS AMENDED. REPRESENTATIVE -- SENATOR JOYNER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL. >>SETH McKEEL: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LOCAL BILL NUMBER 7. >> MADAM CHAIR, MOTION FOR PROCEDURE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LOCAL BILL NUMBER 7. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I HAVE A PROCEDURAL MOTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: AND I'VE CALLED LOCAL BILL NUMBER 7. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I UNDERSTAND. THAT'S ON THE AGENDA. I HAVE A PROCEDURAL MOTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: GIVEN THE TESTY NATURE OF ALL THE VARIOUS ISSUES COMING UP AND WE HAVE YET ANOTHER ONE COMING UP NEXT ON THE AGENDA, I'M MOVING AT THIS TIME -- BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME WORK PRODUCT COME OUT OF OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION THAT CAN BE CONTINUED TO BE WORKED ON THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND AS WE ALL KNOW, THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS, NOT THE END, SO IN KEEPING WITH THAT, I MOVE UNDER RULE 3.5 TO WAIVE THE RULES TO ALLOW ANY BILLS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING TODAY TO BE PASSED UPON A MAJORITY OF THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING FROM EACH CHAMBER, MEANING YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A MAJORITY OF THE SENATORS AND MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT SO WE CAN GET OUR WORK ACCOMPLISHED TO GET SOME WORK PRODUCT OUT OF HERE. >> SECOND. >>KEVIN AMBLER: AND THAT REQUIRES -- IT GOT A SECOND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: FOR THE RECORD, WHO WAS THE SECOND? REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL ON IT, PLEASE. >>FAYE CULP: I HAVE A QUESTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>FAYE CULP: I HAVE A QUESTION. IF THIS PARTICULAR MOTION PASSES, DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE GO BACK AND WE START ALL OVER WITH BILL NUMBER 1 AND THEN BILL NUMBER 2 AND THEN BILL NUMBER 3, ET CETERA, FOR ALL OF THOSE THAT WERE TABLED? NOT THE ONE THAT WAS WITHDRAWN, NOT THOSE THAT WERE -- SO THEY WERE ALL WITHDRAWN EXCEPT FOR 1, SO DOES THIS MEAN WE GO BACK TO NUMBER 1? >> NO, FROM THIS POINT FORWARD. >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO, 1 WAS TP'D, SO IT COULD BE BROUGHT UP AT THE END OF THE LOCAL BILL AGENDA. THAT'S THE ONLY ONE. ALL THE OTHER ONES WERE WITHDRAWN. >>FAYE CULP: SO THE PROCEDURE IS WE GO TO NUMBER 7 RIGHT NOW? >>KEVIN AMBLER: RIGHT. >>FAYE CULP: AND THEN COME BACK TO NUMBER 1 AT THE END OF THE AGENDA? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>KEVIN AMBLER: ONLY IF THERE'S A MOTION -- [INDISCERNIBLE CROSS TALK] >>FAYE CULP: IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IT IS MY INTENT TO GO TO NUMBER 7. SENATOR CRIST, DID YOU HAVE A -- >>VICTOR CRIST: THE MOTION CAN BE ADOPTED EITHER TWO WAYS, EITHER ONE FOR A SINGLE BILL OR TWO, FOR EVERY ACTION TAKEN HEREAFTER UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE MEETING TODAY, SO IT WOULD BE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PERSON OFFERING THE PROPOSAL. >>KEVIN AMBLER: JUST TO CLARIFY, MADAM CHAIR, THE MOTION IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING TODAY SO THAT WE CAN GET THE REST OF OUR BUSINESS DONE THAT REQUIRES VOTING WITHOUT GETTING INTO A TRAIN WRECK EVERY TIME WE WANT TO TRY AND GET A BILL UP. >>VICTOR CRIST: MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY RESPOND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: FOR CLARIFICATION, ANY VOTE TAKEN THIS POINT ON, IT WOULD BE A MAJORITY RULES? >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO, MAJORITY OF EACH CHAMBER -- [INDISCERNIBLE CROSS TALK] >>KEVIN AMBLER: -- MAJORITY OF SENATORS, AND THEN SEPARATELY A MAJORITY OF HOUSE MEMBERS. >>VICTOR CRIST: RIGHT, MAJORITY OF CHAMBERS WOULD DECIDE. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: AND THAT WOULD APPLY TO LOCAL BILL 7 AS WELL? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THAT'S -- WELL, SO IF WE ENACT THIS NOW, IT ALSO INCLUDES LOCAL BILL 7 AND -- >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: EVERYTHING WE DO -- EVERYTHING. IT OPENS UP THE DOOR TO ALL. YES, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUE, HERE WE GO CHANGING THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME. WE HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THE RULES AS WE'VE WRITTEN THAT SAYS THE MAJORITY OF THE DELEGATION, BOTH THE SENATE AND HOUSE, ON THE DELEGATION -- >> IT'S NOT DEBATABLE. >> NO. >>KEVIN AMBLER: IT'S NOT DEBATABLE, AND YOU'RE QUOTING THE WRONG RULE. THAT ISN'T OUR RULE, NOT THE RULE I'M TRYING TO MAKE AS PART OF THE MOTION. MAJORITY OF EACH CHAMBER PRESENT HERE TODAY CAN VOTE TO GET OUR WORK MOVED FORWARD. I'M CLARIFYING. THAT IS WHAT THE MOTION IS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: IT'S NONDEBATABLE. CALL THE QUESTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH, YES, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MOTION. IT'S JUST THAT YOU'RE IMPLYING THAT BUSINESS IS NOT -- IS NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN OPPOSITION. >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO. YOU SAID TO -- TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AS THOUGH WE AREN'T, AND TAKING CARE OF IT SOMETIMES IS NOT DOING ANYTHING; HOWEVER, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT, I WILL NOW HAVE A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES, WHICH WE HAVE NOT DONE IN THE SEVEN YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD. >>BETTY REED: I HAD ONE QUESTION, THOUGH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE, ASK THE QUESTION. >>BETTY REED: I WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO FINISH. I'M JUST ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION, MADAM CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU. THAT MEANS THAT EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO TODAY IS VOTED ON BY US AND IT PASSES BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE. WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING WE DID BEFORE? >>KEVIN AMBLER: UNAFFECTED. >> UNAFFECTED. >>KEVIN AMBLER: UNAFFECTED. IT DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING IN THE PAST. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE ONLY BILL IT WILL AFFECT IS 1 BECAUSE IT WAS TP'D. THE OTHERS WERE WITHDRAWN. >>KEVIN AMBLER: WELL, NO, IT AFFECTS BILL 7 THAT HASN'T BEEN VOTED ON. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, MOVING FORWARD. >>KEVIN AMBLER: AND THERE'S OTHER MOTIONS PENDING, THOUGH. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, IT TAKES TWO- THIRDS OF THOSE OF US PRESENT TO WAIVE THE RULES, SO NOW WE WILL PROCEED WITH THE ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR JOYNER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: VERY RELUCTANTLY, YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL. >>SETH McKEEL: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: DID I MISS SENATOR CRIST? I APOLOGIZE. >> [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: ALL RIGHT. I HAVE SIX HOUSE MEMBERS VOTING YES, WHICH IS TWO-THIRDS, AND I HAVE TWO SENATORS VOTING YES, WHICH IS TWO-THIRDS, SO THE AMENDMENT TO PROCEED ON A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE PRESENT AND A MAJORITY OF THE SENATE PRESENT CARRIES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SO BY YOUR VOTE, THE MOTION PASSES. NOW WE'LL PROCEED WITH BILL 7. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. PTC, EXTEND REGULATION OF WRECKERS. REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: MADAM CHAIR, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY I'M GLAD WE'RE ON A WRECKER BILL, BECAUSE I THINK WE COULD ALL USE A TOW TRUCK ABOUT RIGHT NOW. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU GOTTA BE CAREFUL OF WHO THEY ARE. THE -- I'M READY. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. HOUSE BILL -- LOCAL BILL 7, RATHER, DEALS WITH PRIVATELY OWNED WRECKERS AND THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY OF CERTIFICATION AND DOING BACKGROUND CHECKS, AGAIN, ON THE DRIVERS AND CERTIFYING THEIR LICENSES. THAT'S THE BILL. I WOULD LIKE TO LET VICTOR DiMAIO, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PTC, SPEAK. I THINK HE'S NEXT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS ON THE BILL? NO QUESTIONS? NOW WE'LL ENTER INTO PUBLIC COMMENT. I HAVE MS. MARIELLA SMITH LISTED AS THE FIRST SPEAKER. >>RONDA STORMS: ON TOWING? >> ON 7? I DIDN'T KNOW SHE HAD A WRECKER. >>RONDA STORMS: ON TOWING? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH, I'M SORRY. HEATHER COLITON? I'M SORRY. HEATHER. KEVIN BAKEWELL. THERE HE IS. GO RIGHT AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN JOYNER AND MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION. I'M KEVIN BAKEWELL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT WITH AAA AUTO CLUB SOUTH. THEY SERVE 243,232 MEMBERS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. AAA IS OBVIOUSLY COMMITTED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE ARE HELD TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD BY OUR NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE "X" PERCENT OF TOTALLY SATISFIED SERVICE. WE'RE ALSO OBVIOUSLY COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUDING TRAFFIC SAFETY. THAT'S WHY REALLY OVER 15 YEARS AGO WE WERE INVOLVED IN A STATE PROCESS CALLED THE "TASK FORCE COMMITTEE ON TOWING." THE TASK FORCE WAS CHARGED BY THE LEGISLATURE AT THAT TIME WITH LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY, DETERMINING WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE IN THE INDUSTRY, AND THEN DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. AFTER A LOT OF HEARINGS AROUND THE STATE, THE TASK FORCE DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM REALLY WAS IN THE AREA OF NONCONSENT TOWING -- WHICH IS PRIMARILY THE AREA REGULATED BY THE PTC -- THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE SOMEBODY IS NOT AT THEIR CAR WHEN IT'S TOWED OR IS NOT THE PERSON MAKING THE REQUEST TO HAVE THEIR CAR TOWED. THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE POLICE TOWING AND PRIVATE PROPERTY TOWING. CONSENT TOWING IS NOT THE PROBLEM AREA. AAA DOES ABOUT 350,000 CONSENT CALLS A WEEK HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALONE. THAT'S NOT WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE. IN THOSE SITUATIONS, SOMEBODY KNOWS WHO THEY'RE CALLING, BUT PRIVATE PROPERTY AND OTHER NONCONSENT TOWS ARE CLEARLY A DIFFERENT AREA, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE INTENT TO EXTEND THAT BLANKET REGULATION TO ALL COMPANIES, AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE -- REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO'S INDICATED HIS WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS ON THAT ISSUE, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE BURDEN OF UNNECESSARY REGULATION ON LEGITIMATE SMALL BUSINESSES -- MOST OF THESE BUSINESSES ARE IN THE SMALL CATEGORY -- PUTTING THEM OUT OF BUSINESS OR MAKING IT A HARDSHIP AND IN SOME AREAS EVEN MAKING IT SO THE PUBLIC DOES NOT HAVE AS EASY ACCESS TO THOSE KINDS OF SERVICES, AND THE LAST THING WE WANT IS PEOPLE WAITING BY THE ROADSIDE FOR TOO LONG. AND FINALLY, EVEN STAYING IN BUSINESS, OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOING TO RAISE THE COST OF THOSE SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE MISFORTUNE OF AN AUTOMOTIVE BREAKDOWN, SO WE, AGAIN, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BILL IN ITS PRESENT STATE, AND AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO LISTENING TO OUR CONCERNS BUT DO OPPOSE LOCAL BILL 7 AS IT'S PRESENTLY WRITTEN. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SCOTT MILLER. I BELIEVE IT'S MILLER. STEPHEN MICHAEL HALINI. OH, SCOTT'S COMING? SCOTT, ARE YOU HERE? OH. WELL, WOULD STEPHEN BE ON DECK AND JOSE RODRIGUEZ, GINGER DARLING, MARVIN JOHNSON, ED TIERNEY. WOULD YOU-ALL BE READY TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE? OKAY. MR. MILLER. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YEAH, I WILL DO THAT. I WILL, REPRESENTATIVE. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS HEATHER COLITON, AND I AM ACTUALLY REPRESENTING TWO DIFFERENT -- MYSELF AND PWOF. I'M AN OUTSIDE. I'M FROM POLK COUNTY. I AM WITH ARC TOWING SERVICE. WHEN I WAS BROUGHT UP TO THE EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED CHANGE THAT'S WRITTEN HERE, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS FROM THE OUTSIDE COUNTY TOWERS THAT THIS WOULD AFFECT US BECAUSE OF THE VERBIAGE. THERE IS SOME VERBIAGE THAT'S GOING TO FOLLOW AFTER ME OF THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN THAT VERBIAGE SAYING -- RIGHT NOW, THE PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD REDEFINE WRECKERS SO ALL PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES -- OR PRIVATELY OWNED WRECKERS, NOT JUST THOSE PROVIDING GOVERNMENT TOWS. THAT IS A CONCERN FROM OUTSIDE COUNTY TOWERS, AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT. AND ON BEHALF OF PWOF, THERE WAS AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE BILL. THE INTENTIONS OF THAT ENDORSEMENT WAS NOT TO INCLUDE THE OUTSIDE TOWERS, SO THEY ALSO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT. AND ONE OTHER THING. I'M SORRY. AND ON BEHALF OF PWOF, THEY WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT WHEN YOU DISCUSS THE OUTSIDE TOWERS, THAT IF A TOWER IS ON THE EDGE OF A COUNTY LINE AND THEY DO PRIVATE PROPERTY TOWING WITHIN THE COUNTY AND TOW OUTSIDE THE COUNTY THAT YOU NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE ISSUES THAT COULD BE IN THE FUTURE. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. SO AS I UNDERSTAND IT, PWOF DOES NOT ENDORSE THE BILL AS WRITTEN? >> AS IT'S WRITTEN WITH THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP. IT WAS AN INTERPRETATION THAT IT WAS ONLY -- IT WAS UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS ONLY TO BE MEANT TO THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWERS, EVEN CONSENSUAL TOWERS, BUT THERE'S BEEN A BIG CONCERN FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP THAT THIS IS GOING TO APPLY TO US ON THE OUTSIDE COUNTIES. >>BILL GALVANO: OKAY. THANKS. >> BECAUSE OF THEIR -- THEY'RE CONCERNED OF THE INTERPRETATION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SO NOW ARE YOU OPPOSED TO THE BILL? IS THAT -- >> IN ITS CURRENT VERBIAGE. >>FAYE CULP: IN ITS CURRENT VERSION. AND WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU -- WHAT SECTION AGAIN IS IT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED OR TAKEN OUT? >> AS FOR AN OUTSIDE COUNTY TOWER, THERE IS THE PROPOSED -- WHAT IS WRITTEN INTO THE AGENDA. THERE IS ANOTHER SPEAKER HERE THAT HAS WRITTEN THE PROPOSED CHANGE. I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO SPEAK BEFORE ME, SO I WAS GOING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEM. >>FAYE CULP: OKAY. DO WE HAVE IT? >> THEY HAVE IT. I CAN GET IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SOMEBODY ELSE WHO'S GOING TO SPEAK. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO HAS A RESPONSE. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU. WE SENT THIS TO THE PWOF. I MEAN, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM. THIS ISSUE THAT CAME UP, I JUST GOT IT YESTERDAY, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT THEIR CONCERN IS. ONE LETTER I GOT SAID THERE WAS A CONCERN, ANOTHER LETTER - - ANOTHER E-MAIL I GOT SAID, NO, IT'S NOT A CONCERN, IT'S NOT COVERED, SO I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE MISINTERPRETATION OF WHETHER THERE'S A CONCERN OR NOT ON THIS ON YOUR PART. IS THAT CORRECT? >> CORRECT. THERE'S A LOT OF OPPOSITION THAT CAME ABOUT YESTERDAY, AND I TOO HAD ALL THIS ON MY DESK WHEN I CAME INTO WORK THIS MORNING, AND I'M FROM POLK COUNTY. >>RICH GLORIOSO: AND SO -- >> I HAVE NOT READ THAT. MY CONCERN WAS THE VERBIAGE IN THE PROPOSED CHANGE ON BEHALF OF THE TOWERS FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTY. >>RICH GLORIOSO: BECAUSE I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH PWOF ON THIS -- ON THE OTHER BILL THEY HAVE, SO I'M TRYING TO MAKE THEM BOTH THE SAME. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: STEPHEN MICHAEL HALINI -- MICHELINI. >> STEVE MICHELINI. I'M HERE FOR YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THAT "K" IS NOT GOOD. GO RIGHT AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I REPRESENT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWING ASSOCIATION, AND I'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY IN THE PAST WITH REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO AND SENATOR STORMS -- RAISE IT UP AGAIN. THERE WE GO. I THINK WE'RE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS MICROPHONE. IS THAT BETTER? >> [INAUDIBLE] >> THE DIFFICULTY WITH THIS BILL IS THAT IT'S NOT FULLY VETTED. THERE ARE SOME ISSUES IN HERE -- THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER JUST TOLD YOU THAT THE OUTSIDE WRECKERS WANT TO OPERATE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO COMPLY WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PTC RULES. I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. I DON'T THINK THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWERS THINK THAT'S RIGHT. WE HAVE SOME ISSUES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS BILL IN TERMS OF WHAT ARE CALLED "GYPSY" AND "WILDCAT" TOWERS, WHICH IS THE DIRECTION THE BILL IS GOING IN, AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM THERE. IT WAS THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWING ASSOCIATION THAT WENT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WENT TO THE CITY OF TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE CITY OF TAMPA IN GENERAL AND HAD THEM ADOPT RULES THAT MADE NONCONSENSUAL TOWING SET SOME RATES AND SET SOME BASIC STANDARDS SO THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE PEOPLE FLAGGING THEM INTO PARKING LOTS, TAKING THEIR MONEY, AND ONLY TO COME BACK TO RETRIEVE THEIR CAR AFTER THE HOCKEY GAME OR FOOTBALL GAME OR WHATEVER AND FIND THEIR CAR HAD BEEN TOWED BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD WAVED THEM INTO A LOT AND THEN CALLED A TOWING COMPANY TO COME AND GET THEM. THE REAL CRUX OF THE MATTER HERE IS NONCONSENSUAL TOWING AND HOW DO YOU REGULATE IT. WE HAVE SOME IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO DO THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THIS BILL GOES IN THAT DIRECTION. YOU HEARD AAA TALK ABOUT IT. NONCONSENSUAL TOWING IS THE CRUX OF THE MATTER. THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION HAS TRIED TO DRAFT SOME LEGISLATION THAT WILL GET TO THAT. I DON'T THINK IT'S THERE YET. THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWING ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS TRYING TO LEGISLATE NONCONSENSUAL TOWING; HOWEVER, THOSE RULES NEED TO BE DEVELOPED MUCH MORE FULLY AND DEVELOPED BETTER SO THAT YOU CAN TRULY IMPLEMENT SOME REGULATORY CHANGES THAT ASSIST THE PUBLIC AND THOSE THAT ARE AT RISK WHEN THEY PARK THEIR CARS. IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. I DON'T THINK THIS BILL GOES QUITE FAR ENOUGH IN THAT DIRECTION, AND IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T ESTABLISH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER WHICH YOU'LL BE OPERATING. TYPICALLY, ONCE YOU'VE ADOPTED THIS PROVISION INTO A BILL, THEN THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION WILL DEVELOP THE RULES. THE RULES AREN'T THERE YET, SO THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHAT THE RULES ARE GOING TO SAY AND HOW ARE THEY GOING TO AFFECT THE LOCAL OWNERS. WE FULLY EXPECT THAT ANYONE OPERATING IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHOULD BE REGULATED IN THE SAME MANNER, SO IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE COMING IN AND TAKING JOBS AWAY ON LIMOUSINES AND TAXICABS -- WHAT THIS LADY JUST SAID A MINUTE AGO WAS SHE HAS A BUSINESS IN POLK COUNTY, SHE WANTS TO COME AND TOW IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BUT DOESN'T WANT TO ABIDE BY THOSE RULES. THAT'S WRONG. WE WOULD EXPECT THAT YOU WOULD MAKE THEM COMPLY WITH THE SAME RULES THAT THE REST OF US HAVE TO COMPLY WITH. SETTING STANDARDS FOR SAFETY, SETTING STANDARDS FOR INSURANCE IS WHERE THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWING ASSOCIATION STANDS. WE'RE IN FAVOR OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, AND WE'VE BEEN ADVOCATING THOSE IN ALL OF THE LEGISLATIVE JURISDICTIONS THAT WE OPERATE IN. SO WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU GO BACK AND REVISIT THIS BILL AND MAKE THE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY THAT GO IN THE DIRECTION OF REGULATING NONCONSENSUAL WILDCAT AND GYPSY TOWERS INSTEAD OF PUNISHING THE ESTABLISHED WRECKERS THAT ARE ALREADY OPERATING. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I HAVE A QUESTION. IF I BREAK DOWN IN POLK COUNTY AND GET SOMEBODY TO TOW MY CAR OVER HERE, HOW WOULD IT AFFECT THAT TOW TRUCK OWNER? WOULD IT REQUIRE HIM TO BE REGISTERED OR -- IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY? >> WELL, YOU HAVE THE ATTORNEY FROM THE PTC, BUT I WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. IF YOU ARE TOWING FOR HIRE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND YOU HAVE AN ESTABLISHED COMPANY AND YOU'RE ON A ROTATION SCHEDULE BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, PLANT CITY POLICE, CITY OF TAMPA POLICE, THEN YOU'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION LICENSE. YOU'RE REQUIRED TO MEET THE STANDARDS FOR INSURANCE, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY, THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR THE DRIVERS. IF YOU'RE OUTSIDE OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, THOSE RULES DON'T APPLY. SO IF YOU BREAK DOWN IN POLK COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, AND YOU'RE TOWED TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, IF THAT IS A ROTATION CALL THAT GOT CALLED OUT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION LICENSE. IF YOU SIMPLY WERE BROKEN DOWN AND THE POLICE CALLED SOMEBODY FROM POLK COUNTY, THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A LICENSE TO TOW YOU BACK TO WHEREVER YOU WANTED TO HAVE YOUR CAR TOWED TO. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, SENATOR? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IF THE BILL PASSES, IT STILL WOULDN'T REQUIRE THAT PERSON -- >> IT WOULDN'T CHANGE THAT. BUT WE'RE SAYING IF YOU'RE OPERATING IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, YOU SHOULD HAVE A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LICENSE. IF YOU'RE -- IF YOU ARE REGULATED HERE, OPERATING UNDER THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ANY OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS, YOU NEED TO HAVE A LICENSE, AND YOU NEED TO OPERATE IN THE SAME STANDARDS OF INSURANCE, THE SAME STANDARDS OF EQUIPMENT AND INSPECTIONS FOR THEIR VEHICLES. WE'VE WORKED VERY LONG AND HARD WITH THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH REASONABLE STANDARDS FOR EQUIPMENT. YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE THROWING A BOOM ON THE BACK OF A TRUCK AND SUDDENLY SAYING THAT THEY'RE A WRECKER COMPANY. THAT HAPPENS. THAT'S WHAT WRECKERS TYPICALLY ARE FOR WHAT I CALL GYPSY TOWERS AND WILDCAT TOWING COMPANIES. YOU HAVE OTHER TOWING COMPANIES THAT CRUISE THE INTERSTATE. ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE ONE THAT'S SENT UP BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, YOU HAVE OTHERS THAT ARE CRUISING LOOKING FOR BROKEN-DOWN CARS. AGAIN, THE INDUSTRY HAS SOME ISSUES. IT NEEDS SOME HELP. I DON'T THINK IT BILL GOES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. SO DOES THAT MEAN YOU OPPOSE IT? >> WE'RE OPPOSED TO THE BILL AS WRITTEN. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. BECAUSE YOUR CARD HAS "OTHER," AND I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE DID IT FALL. THANK YOU. >> WELL, WE'RE IN FAVOR OF LEGISLATION. THIS BILL IS NOT WRITTEN IN A MANNER WHICH IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE INDUSTRY. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING ALL OF THE TOW TRUCK COMPANIES THAT OPERATE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY REGULATE ALL OF THEM WITH ONE ADDITIONAL STAFFPERSON. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. >> YOU HAVE 80-SOMETHING TOWERS CURRENTLY OPERATING ON THE ROTATION SYSTEM. THOSE ARE REGULATED BY THE PTC. IF YOU OPEN THAT VENUE UP TO EVERY OTHER TOWING COMPANY AND SUDDENLY YOU'RE REGULATING THEM, NOW YOU HAVE ONE STAFFPERSON THAT'S PROJECTED IN THE BILL TO REGULATE AND ADMINISTRATOR ALL OF THE OTHER TOW TRUCK COMPANIES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. >> NONCONSENSUAL TOWING IS A HUGE ISSUE. IT'S NOT A SMALL ISSUE. WE'RE IN FAVOR OF LEGISLATING SOMETHING TO CONTROL THAT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. >> THIS IS JUST NOT THE VENUE. >> THANK YOU, MR. MICHELINI. MR. RODRIGUEZ, JOSE RODRIGUEZ. ARE YOU HERE? >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: AND MS. GINGER DARLING, WOULD YOU BE ON TAP TO COME UP AFTER MR. RODRIGUEZ. IF YOU'RE HERE, WAVE YOUR HAND. >> HI. JOSE RODRIGUEZ, SUN STATE WRECKER SERVICE IN TAMPA. GOOD AFTERNOON. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY. HOPEFULLY NOBODY HAS TOO MANY SPIRITS -- OVERDO THE SPIRITS. AAA DOES OFFER THE SERVICE IF YOU DO DRINK TOO MUCH TO GET YOU HOME SAFE. THE SAD PART IS THEY DON'T SUPPORT THIS BILL BECAUSE YOU WON'T KNOW WHO'S COMING TO GET YOUR VEHICLE. NO BACKGROUND CHECKS. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO THEY'RE EMPLOYING, SO YOU WON'T KNOW WHO YOU'RE GOING TO GET, AND I MYSELF AM PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO HAVE A SERVICE. I CAN PICK UP MY FAMILY, MY KIDS, MY WIFE, BUT HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BROKE DOWN 11:00, 12:00 AT NIGHT, CALL SOMEBODY, THEY SEND SOMEBODY OUT THAT HAS NO HISTORY OF WHO HE IS. I AM WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. I PAY THE FEES, I DO THE BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND I JUST FEEL THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS. THE OTHER THING IS I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH RAISING SOME FEES IF WE NEED BE FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY. I FEEL IF WE DON'T SUPPORT THIS BILL, WE'RE PROTECTING SOMEONE'S POCKET OTHER THAN THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE AND WORK IN THIS COUNTY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. RODRIGUEZ. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MS. DARLING. AND MORRISON JOHNSON AFTER HER. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMITTEE. I'M GINGER DARLING FROM NATIONWIDE TOWING IN PINELLAS COUNTY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AS WELL AS MANY INDEPENDENT TOWERS AND CUSTOMERS SUCH AS YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN OUR TOW TRUCKS. THIS PROPOSED CHANGE TO YOUR ORDINANCE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS ALL WELL AND GOOD IN THE SENSE OF BEING SAFE; HOWEVER, THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN IN CHAPTER 5, LETTER "V," IT STATES, SO ALL PRIVATELY OWNED WRECKERS, NOT JUST THOSE PROVIDING GOVERNMENT TOWS, SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO PTC REGULATION. AS MR. KEVIN BLAKEWELL FROM AAA MENTIONED TO YOU, APPROXIMATELY 15 YEARS AGO WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN TALLAHASSEE IN GETTING THIS EXACT SAME WORDING DEFERRED IN COMMITTEE AND KILLED ON THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' FLOOR. IF THIS BILL PASSES IN THE ENTIRETY THAT IT'S IN, ALLOWING ALL PRIVATELY OWNED WRECKERS AND DOES NOT CLARIFY AND SPECIFY ONLY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWERS, WHICH IS WHAT YOU- ALL ARE ADDRESSING, THEN ANY TOWER THAT IS IN PINELLAS COUNTY AND NEEDS TO BRING A CAR TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WILL HAVE TO BE REGULATED. ANY CUSTOMER WHO IS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND CALLS A PINELLAS TOWER OR A POLK TOWER OR A MIAMI TOWER TO COME GET THEIR CAR TAKEN BACK HOME WILL HAVE TO BE REGULATED. IF THAT DOOR OPENS, IT WILL THEN ALLOW AND CREATE A PRECEDENCE FOR PINELLAS, BROWARD, DADE, MARION, ALL 66 OTHER COUNTIES TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE SIMILAR. IT WILL REQUIRE THE INDEPENDENT TOWER, THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER THAT YOU HIGHLY VALUE, AS WELL AS THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THESE HIGHER FEES TO OPERATE THEIR BUSINESS. IT WILL HINDER YOUR CHOICES IN WHAT WRECKER COMPANY YOU USE TO PICK YOU UP OFF THE SIDE OF THE STREET. WE ARE NOT ARGUING WHAT YOU NEED TO ADDRESS IN YOUR COUNTY. WE ARE JUST ASKING YOU TO CLARIFY THIS SO THAT IT WILL ONLY AFFECT YOUR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWERS SO THAT IF YOU CHOOSE TO CHANGE THIS TODAY, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. CLARIFY IT TO AFFECT ONLY THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWERS THAT ARE REGISTERED IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY OR LICENSED WITH AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY OR PUT THIS ASIDE FOR YOUR VOTING TODAY AND LET'S HAVE SOME WORKSHOPS TO IDENTIFY HOW TO REWORD THIS SO THAT YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TEETH IN HERE TO PROTECT YOUR CONSUMERS AND TO NOT INFRINGE UPON THE CUSTOMERS' CHOICES OF WHOM THEY USE. I ALSO DO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A PERMIT OF TWO WRECKERS IN THE PARAGRAPH ABOVE IT. THE AGENCY HAS ISSUED WRECKER CERTIFICATES TO 62 COMPANIES EACH OF WHICH MUST HAVE PERMIT A MINIMUM OF TWO WRECKERS AND PERMITS 252 WRECKERS. THERE ARE MANY COMPANIES -- I AM NOT ONE, BUT THERE ARE MANY COMPANIES THAT ARE ONE-TOW-TRUCK COMPANIES BECAUSE WE ALL START OUT USUALLY WITH ONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I INVITE YOUR QUESTIONS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. DARLING. MORRISON JOHNSON, JR. >> MY NAME IS MORRISON JOHNSON, JR. I'M WITH ELVIS TOWING AND TRANSPORT OUT OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA. WE ARE ALL FOR THE SAFETY AND THE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND ALL OF THAT. THE SITUATION IS IS THAT IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS BILL WAS CREATED BECAUSE OF THE NONCONSENT TOWERS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. IF THERE'S AN ISSUE HERE, LET'S KEEP IT HERE, OKAY. IF OUR CUSTOMERS BREAK DOWN IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND THEY CHOOSE TO CALL US, THAT MEANS IF THIS GOES THROUGH THAT WE COULD HAVE TO BUY A LICENSE NOT ONLY UNDER THE COMPANY NAME, BUT OUR DRIVERS MIGHT HAVE TO BE LICENSED UNDER HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AS WELL. IN OUR INDUSTRY, IF YOU CHECK THE POOL THAT WE GET TO CHOOSE FROM, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL APPLICATION. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TELL THEM, WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE APPROVED, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE IN ORDER TO COME TO WORK FOR US BECAUSE WE DO DO BUSINESS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND THEN YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE PENALIZED BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T OR YOU DON'T HOLD THE LICENSE THAT YOU MAY OR COULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE BECAUSE OF THIS BILL -- THE ONLY THING THAT WE ASK IS THAT IT BE BROUGHT BACK, LOOKED AT, AND TIGHTENED UP A LITTLE BIT. THE VERBIAGE JUST NEEDS TO BE EXACTLY WHAT IT NEEDS TO SAY. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO FOR A MOTION. >>BILL GALVANO: YES, MADAM CHAIR. AND I APPRECIATE THAT WE'RE IN PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT IF I COULD PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT, IT MAY DO AWAY WITH THE NEED FOR FURTHER TESTIMONY, AND THAT WOULD BE TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "WRECKER" TO ALL PRIVATELY OWNED WRECKERS REGISTERED AND/OR HOLDING AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE ONLY IN THE COUNTY OF HILLSBOROUGH SO THAT IT DOES HAVE THE SPECIFIC APPLICATION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: [INAUDIBLE] >> SECOND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THE BILL BE AMENDED TO READ AS -- AS OUTLINED BY REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO, BUT BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT, THE BILL SPONSOR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A WORD. >>RICH GLORIOSO: I DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK IT'S A GOOD BILL. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, THE ATTORNEY, TO SEE IF THAT HAS A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE BILL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, BECAUSE HE IS THE SPONSOR, I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF -- SO IS THERE -- WHO? >>RICH GLORIOSO: THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. >>ORLANDO PEREZ: ORLANDO PEREZ, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >>RICH GLORIOSO: [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE CAN'T HARDLY HEAR YOU. YES. OH, WOULD YOU RECITE AGAIN FOR -- >>BILL GALVANO: YES. WE'VE MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE BILL TO REDEFINE "WRECKER" TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS AN ENTITY HAVING AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE ONLY IN THE COUNTY OF HILLSBOROUGH. >>ORLANDO PEREZ: OKAY. >>BILL GALVANO: AND THE BILL SPONSOR WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOUR OPINION IS OF THAT AMENDMENT, AND I'M SURE IT'S A VERY POSITIVE ONE. [LAUGHTER] >>ORLANDO PEREZ: ORLANDO PEREZ. MOST OF THE SPECIAL ACT DEALS WITH THE OPERATION. THAT'S WHAT THE -- THE FOCUS IS ON THE ACTIVITY, THE OPERATION, NOT WHERE THE BUSINESSES ARE BASED OUT OF OR WHERE THEY PAY THEIR BUSINESS TAXES. SO YOU'D BE DEVIATING FROM THE REGULATORY STRUCTURE OF THE REST OF THE ACT TO CARVE THIS OUT, AND I THINK IT WOULD ALSO GET TO THE POINT THAT THE PRIOR SPEAKER, MR. MICHELINI, ADDRESSED WOULD BE THAT THEN YOU'D HAVE COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT PAYING HILLSBOROUGH BUSINESS TAXES, WHICH WOULD BE SUBJECT TO DIFFERENT REGULATIONS EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE DOING THE SAME ACTIVITY IN THE COUNTY, SO IN SOME REGARDS IT MAY PUT HILLSBOROUGH BUSINESSES AT A DISADVANTAGE VERSUS OUT-OF-COUNTY BUSINESSES. >> GOOD POINT. >>RICH GLORIOSO: BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. MADAM CHAIR, MAY I TP THIS BILL FOR A FEW MINUTES FOR CONSULTATION? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. THIS BILL IS TP'D. WE'RE GOING TO TP IT FOR CONSULTATION AND TAKE A FOUR- MINUTE RECESS. [RECESS TAKEN] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE MEETING IS NOW CALLED BACK TO ORDER. WOULD ALL THE REPRESENTATIVES -- REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN AND McKEEL AND SENATOR STORMS, WE'RE STARTING BACK. JUST PLEASE DON'T LEAVE THE ROOM. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, YOU'RE -- GENTLEMEN IN THE BACK, MAY WE HAVE SOME ORDER, PLEASE. MR. -- I'VE DONE THAT. [SOUNDING GAVEL] OH. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. THE GOAL OF THIS BILL WAS TO REGULATE THOSE GYPSY DRIVERS, THE PEOPLE THAT DO UNAUTHORIZED TOWING AND HURT THE CITIZENS. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS LOTS OF ISSUES CAME UP. AAA CAME IN WITH THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT CONSENSUAL TOWING, AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CONSENSUAL TOWING THAT AAA DOES. I THINK THEY DO A GREAT JOB. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE CERTIFIED TOWERS THAT COME IN AND DO A GOOD JOB. I WORRY ABOUT THE NONCONSENSUAL AND THE GYPSY TOWERS. WE CAN'T HERE SPEND ENOUGH TIME TO TRY TO WORK OUT ALL THE DETAILS ON THIS BILL. AND THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO DO IT. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT LONG BEFORE WE CAME INTO HERE, AND I'M A LITTLE UPSET -- WELL, I'LL BE QUIET ON THAT, BUT AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW THIS BILL, BUT I WILL TELL YOU YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM ME IN THIS YEAR. WE NEED TO GET THIS RESOLVED. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM TODAY, UNFORTUNATELY, THE SPEAKERS THAT CAME HERE THAT WANTED TO TELL YOU ALL THE HORROR STORIES OUT THERE OF OUR CITIZENS THAT ARE BEING RIPPED OFF BY THESE UNETHICAL TOWING COMPANIES, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T HEAR THEM. WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ON THEIR ISSUES, AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF THEM. WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT HAS A WHOLE BUNCH OF ISSUES THAT SAYS WE NEED TO CONTROL, WE NEED TO REGULATE THESE GYPSY NONCONSENSUAL TOWERS. BUT AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW THIS BILL, BUT YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE LAST FROM ME ON THIS BILL. WE WILL BE BACK, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. WE DO HAVE A VERY FULL AGENDA FOR THE REST OF THE -- AFTER WE TAKE UP BILL NUMBER 1 AGAIN, SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, REPRESENTATIVE, I'D LIKE TO MOVE IT. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: HE WITHDREW THE BILL, SO I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO NUMBER 1, PLEASE. REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THANK YOU. THIS IS LOCAL BILL NUMBER 1, AND AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT WE RESTORE THE ORIGINAL BILL AS FILED BECAUSE EVERYONE READ THAT IN THEIR PACKET. THAT'S WHAT'S ON THE TABLE. WE CAN VOTE THAT UP OR DOWN. I CAN QUICKLY GO THROUGH THE QUICK OUTLINE OF HOW THE MEMBERSHIP CHANGES IN ABOUT A MINUTE OR LESS BECAUSE I'LL JUST CARRY OFF THE NUMBERS FOR YOU. AND THEN WE CAN DISCUSS IT AND VOTE IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE, GO AHEAD. >>KEVIN AMBLER: OKAY. SO I MOVE AT THIS TIME TO AMEND THE BILL TO RESTORE IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL FORM AS FILED SO WE ARE ALL CLEAR, AT LEAST, ON WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING AND WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON. I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO BE LOST IN THE FOREST FOR THE TREES WITH THE AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENTS AND SO FORTH, SO THE MOTION IS TO AMEND THE BILL TO RESTORE IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL FILED FORM THAT IS IN YOUR PACKET, AND THAT'S THE BASIS UPON WHICH I'LL PRESENT IT AND DISCUSS IT. THAT MEANS YOU HAVE THREE -- THE THREE BOARDS WOULD BE -- IT WAS TP'D. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YEAH. SENATOR -- JUST A MOMENT, SENATOR CRIST. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COULD WE PLEASE HAVE -- IF YOU'D LIKE TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION, WOULD YOU KINDLY LEAVE THE ROOM. THANK YOU. SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: I WOULD -- LOOKING BACK, I MEAN, WE'VE HAD A BUSY MORNING HERE, BUT WE RAN AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENT, AND WE MADE CHANGES ON THE AMENDMENT, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE WE AMENDED THE ACTUAL LEGISLATION ITSELF YET. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO, NO, WE DIDN'T. >>VICTOR CRIST: SO YOUR ORIGINAL BILL IS STILL STANDING AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN. >>KEVIN AMBLER: OKAY. THEN I MOVE TO TAKE UP THE ORIGINAL -- >>VICTOR CRIST: SO ALL YOU BASICALLY HAVE TO DO IS DUMP THE AMENDMENTS. >>KEVIN AMBLER: OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THEN I AM GOING TO PRESENT THE BILL AS ORIGINALLY FILED, AND FOR PROCEDURAL PURPOSES, WE'RE GOING TO DUMP THE AMENDMENTS. I'M WITHDRAWING THE AMENDMENTS, SO WE'RE JUST ON THE BILL AS FILED IN YOUR PACKET SO WE'RE ALL CLEAR ON WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. THERE ARE THREE GOVERNING BOARDS. FOR CONSISTENCY SAKE, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS LEGISLATION IS BRINGING THEM UP-TO-DATE WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION WE HAVE IN TERMS OF POPULATION AND HAVING REPRESENTATION AND TAXATION BY REPRESENTATION, AND SO FIRST AND FOREMOST IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMISSION. CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO REPRESENTATIVES, ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, FROM ANY OF THE CITIES THAT SERVE ON THE EPC. RECENT PRESS HEADLINES HAVE REVEALED OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE WETLAND AREAS THAT SIT WITHIN THE CITIES. THIS BILL, FIRST AND FOREMOST AS TO THE EPC, WOULD -- EXCUSE ME -- LOWER THE COUNTY REPRESENTATION FROM SEVEN TO FIVE, WOULD GIVE THE CITY OF TAMPA TWO SEATS, THE CITY OF TEMPLE TERRACE ONE SEAT, AND THE CITY OF PLANT CITY ONE, RAISING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THE EPC TO NINE, SO WE HAVE AN ODD NUMBER, FROM THE CURRENT SEVEN, AND GIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THE CITIES IN OUR AREA A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND A VOICE AT THE TABLE. SO THAT'S THE EPC. NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY. THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY CURRENTLY IS ESSENTIALLY HALF COUNTY AND HALF CITY REPRESENTATIVES AND ONE GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEE, 11. THE BILL SEEKS TO KEEP THE CURRENT NUMBER OF 11 INTACT, BUT WHAT IT DOES DO IS -- AND AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE HANDOUT THAT WE'VE HANDED OUT TO EVERYBODY, WHEN THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY WAS FIRST CREATED, 63% OF THE POPULATION WAS IN THE CITY AND 32% WAS IN THE COUNTY. THAT HAS COMPLETELY REVERSED NOW WITH 67 OR TWO-THIRDS LIVING IN THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY AND 28% IN THE CITY. THE INTERESTING THING AND MOST IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT THE TSA IS THIS: IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT POPULATION AND REPRESENTATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH POPULATION, BUT THE UNDERLYING DEBT, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT THAT RUN FROM THE BOND OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE OWED FOR THE STADIUM, LEGENDS FIELD, AND THE ICE PALACE WOULD ALL RUN IN PROPORTION TO THAT POPULATION DISTRIBUTION. IN OTHER WORDS, TWO-THIRDS OF OUR CITIZENS LIVING IN THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY WOULD BEAR THAT DEBT BURDEN AND ONE- THIRD OF THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY, SO WHAT THIS SEEKS TO DO IS TO UPDATE FROM THE ORIGINAL 1965 ACT, WHICH WAS AMENDED IN '69 AND AGAIN IN '75 AND AGAIN IN '77 TO CHANGE THE CONFIGURATION OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY TO ACCOUNT FOR THESE VARIABLES TO -- UNDER LOCAL BILL 1 TODAY IT WOULD INCREASE THE COUNTY REPRESENTATION ON THE SPORTS AUTHORITY TO SIX, IT WOULD LOWER THE NUMBER OF TAMPA REPRESENTATIVES TO FOUR, IT WOULD KEEP THE GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT AT ONE, WITH A TOTAL OF 11, BUT INTERIOR TO THAT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL THE MEMBERS UNDERSTAND A SUBSET OF THIS. THE ADDITIONAL MEMBER ON THE TSA THAT'S BEING ADDED BY THE COUNTY IS GOING TO BE AN ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIAL, NOT JUST AN APPOINTMENT, AND SO WHAT THAT WILL LEAVE -- THE TERM "EX OFFICIO" IS USED IN THE STATUTE, NOT IN ITS PEJORATIVE DEFINITION BUT IN THE DEFINITION OF MEANING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL SERVING ON THAT BOARD. WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH UNDER LOCAL BILL 1 WOULD BE TWO ELECTED COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ONE ELECTED CITY COUNCIL PERSON SERVING ON THE TSA, SO AS AN INTERNAL EQUATION, YOU NOW HAVE PROPORTIONATE REPRESENTATION OF ONE-THIRD TO TWO- THIRDS OF ELECTEDS SERVING ON THAT BOARD, WHICH NOW, BECAUSE THEY WERE ELECTED BY THE SAME POPULATION THAT BEARS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT DEBT, IS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR REPRESENTATION. SO IF YOU'RE A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, YOU REPRESENT THE ENTIRE COUNTY, INCLUDING THE CITIES. IF YOU'RE A CITY COUNCIL PERSON, THOUGH, YOU JUST REPRESENT THE CITY, AND SO NOW YOU WOULD HAVE TWO ELECTEDS AND ONE CITY OFFICIAL ON THAT BOARD WITHOUT CHANGING THE TOTAL OF 11. SO THAT'S WHAT WE DO ON THE TSA. AND FINALLY, ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS CREATED IN 1959. IT WAS AMENDED IN '76, AND SO THIS WOULD BE THE -- THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO IT IN THE 48 YEARS THAT IT'S EXISTED. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, HISTORICALLY, WHEN THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS FIRST CREATED, THE COUNTY HAD LESS MEMBERS THAN THE CITY, AND THE JUSTIFICATION WAS AS A RESULT OF POPULATION. YOU HAD THREE COUNTY MEMBERS AND FOUR CITY MEMBERS AND THEN ONE FROM EACH OF THE OTHER CITIES, FOR A TOTAL OF NINE. IT WAS AMENDED TO ADD A MEMBER TO THE COUNTY IN '76, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO TEN. WHAT LOCAL BILL 1 SEEKS TO DO TODAY IS TO BRING THE TOTAL COMPOSITION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO 11, SO WE HAVE AN ODD NUMBER FOR VOTING PURPOSES, WITH FIVE FROM THE COUNTY, FOUR FROM CITY OF TAMPA, ONE FROM PLANT CITY, ONE FROM TEMPLE TERRACE. AND AGAIN, I WANT TO POINT OUT TO THE MEMBERS THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS COMPOSITION, WHEN YOU HEAR SOME OF THE PUBLIC DEBATE ON THIS, THIS IS NOT LIKE HAVING CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES SITTING AT THE TABLE AND HAVING VOTES WITH DIVERGENT INTERESTS. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM, SO THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE COUNTY REPRESENTATION THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE POPULATION DISTRIBUTION FOR THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTIES DOESN'T MEAN THAT AS MEMBERS OF THIS COUNTY WE'RE NOT ANY LESS CONCERNED WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITIES OR THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM. THIS SIMPLY ASSURES THAT THE COMPOSITIONS OF THESE THREE BOARDS IS MORE CONSISTENT AND ADJUSTED AS THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE THAT I'VE GIVEN YOU SHOWS TO REFLECT THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS FOR POPULATION -- POPULATION WITH REPRESENTATION IN OUR COUNTY. THAT'S THE SUM OF THE THREE CHANGES ON STRUCTURE, AND I'LL LEAVE IT OPEN FOR QUESTIONS AND DEBATE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS? IF NOT, I'LL OPEN IT FOR PUBLIC DEBATE -- PUBLIC INPUT. MARY -- CITY COUNCILWOMAN MARY MULHERN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND THANK YOU, SENATOR, FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I HAVE TO GO HOME TO A SICK KID, SO I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET THIS OVER WITH FIRST. I HAVE TO SAY THIS HAS BEEN INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE OPERATE ON CITY COUNCIL IN THE SUNSHINE LAWS TO SEE HOW YOU GET TO CONFER AND YOU GET TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO. BUT I DO -- I'M JOKING, BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT COMING HERE -- ALL OF THE LOCAL CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE HERE CAME HERE, AND A NUMBER OF US, MANY OF US HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS LEGISLATION AND WORKING ON PROMOTING IT WITH YOU, THINKING THAT WE NEEDED THREE VOTES OF THE SENATE AND EIGHT VOTES OF THE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: HOUSE. >> -- LEGISLATORS, AND SO I FEEL LIKE WE'RE -- YOU KNOW, YOU ARE KIND OF CHANGING THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME, AND ACTUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEETING, AND I JUST HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS BILL IN PARTICULAR SINCE THIS IS THE ONE IN QUESTION BUT JUST ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS. I THINK THINGS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT VERY DIFFERENTLY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IF WE HAD KNOWN THAT WE DIDN'T NEED A SUPERMAJORITY, SO I THINK YOU SHOULD KEEP THAT IN MIND I GUESS AS YOU'RE VOTING ON THIS. IS THIS THE LAST THING YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE ON TODAY, LAST LEGISLATION? ANYWAY, I HAVE TO SAY THAT REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO SPONSOR THE LEGISLATION THAT HE HAD TO TABLE. FOR INSTANCE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WERE PERHAPS TWO -- THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH VOTES FOR THAT, SO MY BILL'S BEEN TABLED. I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL. I ESPECIALLY DON'T SUPPORT IT. AGAIN, THIS IS A QUESTION ABOUT THE PROCESS HERE WHERE PEOPLE EXPECTED A BILL -- EVERYONE HERE -- THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THEN WE COME HERE AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A DISCUSSION IT GETS ADDED BACK IN, SO THIS IS OUR ONE OPPORTUNITY IN THE YEAR TO CONTRIBUTE AND HAVE INPUT ON THE LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO TALLAHASSEE, SO I THINK YOU SHOULD -- YOU NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CAREFUL ABOUT CHANGING YOUR RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF IT BECAUSE THIS IS A ONE-DAY-A-YEAR THING. I CAN'T SUPPORT THAT BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MORE PUBLIC INPUT TO DISCUSS THIS. MY BILL ONLY DEALT WITH THE EPC, WHICH IS THE ONLY BOARD, STATE-ENACTED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD, THAT DOES NOT HAVE REPRESENTATION FROM THE MUNICIPALITIES. WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WITH THESE OTHER TWO COMMISSIONS IS MOVING AROUND THE REPRESENTATION. ALL I WAS ASKING FOR WAS TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE LIKE ALL THESE OTHER BOARDS HAD, SO OF COURSE I SUPPORTED MY BILL. I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN MULHERN. NOW WE'LL HAVE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, MS. PAT BEAN. DOES SHE WANT TO BE NEXT? >>PAT BEAN: GOOD AFTERNOON. HOW ARE YOU? YOU'VE BEEN WORKING HARD THIS MORNING. I'D LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT IN 2004 THIS DELEGATION SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF A -- I'VE GOT THE WRONG SPEECH IN FRONT OF ME. BOY, OH, BOY. >> WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. >>PAT BEAN: WELL, THAT'S GOOD, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE WRONG SPEECH ANYWAY. [LAUGHTER] I HAVE BEEN -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: REWIND THE TAPE AND WE'LL START OVER. >>PAT BEAN: I HAVE BEEN RUNNING AROUND -- WHILE YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING AROUND DOING YOUR VARIOUS THINGS, I'VE BEEN RUNNING BACK AND FORTH AND DOING DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS AND MEETINGS, SO I'M A LITTLE SCATTERED IN MY BRAIN AT THE MOMENT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I UNDERSTAND. >>PAT BEAN: OKAY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE BILL THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT NOW IS A BILL THAT CONTAINS ALL THREE AGENCIES, THE EPC, THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THE SPORTS AUTHORITY. I'M HERE TO REALLY SPEAK TO THE SPORTS AUTHORITY PIECE AS MUCH AS ANYTHING, AND I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE CLEAR ABOUT HOW THE SPORTS AUTHORITY ORIGINATED ITS EXISTENCE, HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE ON THERE FROM WHICH BOARDS OR WHICH JURISDICTIONS, AND THEN HOW MANY ARE THERE NOW AND THEN THE REASON WHY WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CHANGE. WHEN THE SPORTS AUTHORITY WAS FIRST CREATED BY SPECIAL ACT BACK IN '65, I DIDN'T EVEN LIVE HERE THEN, BUT AT THAT TIME THE COUNTY WAS A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL POPULATION, THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY. THE CITY OF TAMPA AT THAT TIME WAS THE LARGEST JURISDICTION, AND THEY HAD TEN APPOINTMENTS ON THE SPORTS AUTHORITY AND THE COUNTY ONLY HAD ONE, BUT THAT PROBABLY WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SPLIT IN THE POPULATION AT THAT TIME. AND THAT LASTED UNTIL 1975, AND THERE WAS A SPECIAL ACT IN 1975 THAT CHANGED THE MAKEUP AND GAVE THE COUNTY EIGHT SEATS AND THE CITY OF TAMPA SEVEN SEATS, AND DURING THOSE PERIODS FROM '65 THROUGH '75 THE GOVERNOR DID NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO THE AUTHORITY. IT WAS STRICTLY CITY AND COUNTY THAT HAD APPOINTMENTS ON THE AUTHORITY. IN 1977 THERE WAS A SPECIAL ACT THAT CHANGED THE APPOINTMENTS TO FIVE FOR THE COUNTY, FIVE FOR THE CITY, WITH ONE BEING APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. AND THEN IN THE LOCAL BILL THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TODAY, YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION THAT IT GO TO SIX REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY, FOUR FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA, AND THE ONE FROM THE GOVERNOR. WE BELIEVE THAT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY NOT ONLY SHARES THE BURDEN OF MAKING UP THE OPERATING SHORTFALL IF THE STADIUM HAS AN OPERATING SHORTFALL, WE PAY TWO-THIRDS OF IT NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, THE CITY PAYS ONE-THIRD, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HAS ASSUMED THE ROLE OF OWNER OF ALL THE MAJOR SPORTS VENUES IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE OWN THE LAND THAT THE STADIUM SITS ON, WE OWN THE LAND THAT LEGENDS FIELD SITS ON, AND WE OWN THE LAND THAT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM SITS ON. AND WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ARE GREATER BECAUSE WE ARE THE OWNERS OF THOSE FACILITIES. THE COUNTY HAS COMMITTED FUNDS TO EACH OF THOSE FACILITIES TO BE USED TO DO RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO KEEP THEM AS TOP-RATED FACILITIES TO ATTRACT AS MANY PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AS POSSIBLE TO OUR COMMUNITY. THE COUNTY IS PUTTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EFFORT BEHIND THE BONDING ALSO FOR THE VENUES, ALL THREE OF THEM. SO WE STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE CHANGE IN THE MEMBERSHIP, NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS FROM THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, IS VERY APPROPRIATE IN LIGHT OF THE HISTORY WHERE THE CITY AT ONE TIME HAD WAY MORE THAN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, BUT I'M SURE THAT WAS PROBABLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE POPULATION. I HAVEN'T GONE BACK AND TRIED TO RESEARCH THAT, BUT I SUSPECT THAT WAS THE CASE. AND WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST TO ALLOW THE COUNTY SINCE WE HAVE ALL THOSE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BONDS AND THE OPERATIONAL DOLLARS AND THE DOLLARS TO FIX UP AND SPRUCE UP THE FACILITIES. I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY. >>KEVIN AMBLER: JUST ONE QUESTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER HAS A QUESTION. >>KEVIN AMBLER: AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY DID TAKE A VOTE, AND THE BOARD VOTED TO SUPPORT THE BILL WITH THE CHANGE? >>PAT BEAN: THAT IS CORRECT, THEY DID. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THANK YOU. >>PAT BEAN: AND YOU SHOULD HAVE A LETTER. I'VE SEEN THE DRAFT OF THE LETTER. I HAVEN'T SEEN THE FINAL VERSION, BUT I DO HAVE THE DRAFT OF THE LETTER THAT SAYS THAT THEY DO RECOMMEND -- THAT IT SEEMS APPROPRIATE TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT IN MEMBERSHIP. >>KEVIN AMBLER: [INAUDIBLE] >>PAT BEAN: YES. YES, IT WAS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. I HAVE A QUESTION AS TO THE OTHER TWO PARTS OF THE BILL. WHAT IS YOUR FEELING OR -- ON THE EPC AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION, SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY HERE, I THINK, FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION TODAY? >>PAT BEAN: WELL, THE EPC WAS INCLUDED IN THE BILL THAT THE BOARD VOTED ON WHEN THEY TOOK THEIR POSITION ON THE LOCAL BILLS. THE EPC WAS INCLUDED IN THAT, AND THEY VOTED TO SUPPORT THE BILL AS FILED BY REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. THE BOARD DID NOT -- AT THE TIME THAT THE BILL WAS BEING CONSIDERED, THEY ACTUALLY RECOMMENDED TAKING OUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THIS YEAR, BUT I AM CERTAIN THAT THEY WILL SUPPORT THE BILL AS -- IF YOU PASS IT TODAY AS IT HAS BEEN AMENDED HERE. BUT THEY DID RECOMMEND TAKING THAT OUT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, FOLLOW-UP. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I JUST WANT TO STATE FOR ALL OF THE MEMBERS HERE LISTENING AND FOR THE COUNTY'S BENEFIT, WE'VE LEFT THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN TODAY FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES, BUT I RENEW AND RESTATE MY COMMITMENT TO SENATOR JOYNER AND REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO THAT WE'RE WAITING ON A REPORT. >> RIGHT. >>KEVIN AMBLER: DEPENDING ON WHAT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE, WE CAN REMOVE THAT ORGANIZATION OUT AND LIKELY WILL DURING THE SESSION, BUT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE DISCUSSIONS WE HAD THIS MORNING ON THE PROCEDURE AND POSTURING IN HOW TO GET THE BILL RIGHT, IN ORDER TO LEAVE THAT POSSIBILITY OPEN, WE'VE GOT TO LEAVE IT IN FOR NOW, AND THEN WE CAN PULL IT OUT IN THE SESSION. TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS, NOT THE END. IT'S JUST TO GET IT INTO THE WORKS. >>PAT BEAN: I UNDERSTAND, AND AS I SAID, I'M CERTAIN THE BOARD WILL SUPPORT THE BILL THAT YOU'VE GOT NOW AS AMENDED AND CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S GOING TO DEPEND IN LARGE PART ON THE STUDY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MADAM ADMINISTRATOR. >>PAT BEAN: YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY. I BELIEVE YOU. MAYOR PAM IORIO. >>PAM IORIO: GOOD AFTERNOON, LEGISLATORS, AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS BILL. I DO OPPOSE THIS BILL, AND I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU THE REASONS WHY, AND THIS IS A MORE COMPLEX ISSUE THAN I THINK HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU REGARDING THE SPORTS AUTHORITY. TRUE, WE PAY THE OPERATING DEFICIENCIES ONE-THIRD AND TWO- THIRDS, BUT THAT'S JUST PART OF THE STORY. LET'S LOOK AT THE FACT THAT 33% OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY BUDGET DEALS WITH GOLF COURSES. THE CITY OF TAMPA HAS THREE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSES THAT WE HAVE GIVEN TO THE SPORTS AUTHORITY. WE OWN THEM, BUT THEY OPERATE THEM FOR US. WE ALONE PAY THE OPERATING DEFICIT FOR THAT. THIS PAST YEAR IT WAS $227,000. IF IT'S A MILLION DOLLARS, THE CITY OF TAMPA WILL PAY IT. IF IT'S A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS, WE'LL PAY IT. THOSE GOLF COURSES ARE FOR EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY. THE COUNTY DOESN'T OWN ANY GOLF COURSES. THOSE GOLF COURSES ARE FOR EVERYBODY. SO WE PROVIDE THREE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSES FOR EVERYBODY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PLAY AT A LOW COST. NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DO IN TERMS OF ALL THE OTHER EVENTS THAT OCCUR, SPORTING EVENTS. THIS PAST YEAR, IN ADDITION TO OUR ONE-THIRD OBLIGATION, THE CITY OF TAMPA, OUT OF ITS BUDGET, PAID ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THE VARIOUS EVENTS AND THE SPORTING EVENTS AT THE SPORTS -- AT RAYMOND JAMES AND AT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM. BECAUSE WHEN THERE'S AN EVENT, BE IT THE WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR, THE NCAA, WHATEVER IT IS, IT IS THE CITY OF TAMPA WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THAT EVENT GOES WELL, AND WHEN WE STAND BEFORE THE NFL OWNERS AND MAKE A PITCH TO HAVE THE SUPER BOWL COME TO TAMPA, WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT EVENT AS THE CITY OF TAMPA. WHEN I MADE THE PITCH TO THE NFL OWNERS, I DIDN'T SAY, WELL, THE CITY WILL -- WELL, WE'LL DO A THIRD OF WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR, BUT LET ME GET WITH THE COUNTY AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO TWO-THIRDS OF THE SECURITY AND THE TRANSPORTATION AND THE BARRICADES AND SO FORTH. WE DON'T DO THAT. AS THE CITY OF TAMPA, WE RECOGNIZE OUR ROLE THAT WE ARE TO BRING IN THE BUSINESS. IT HELPS THE WHOLE REGION. THAT'S WHAT OUR ROLE IS AS THE CITY. IT'S NOT AS EASY AS A -- IF IT WERE UP TO POPULATION, THINK ABOUT IT TODAY. OUR POPULATION IS 330,000, BUT AS WE STAND HERE TODAY, THE POPULATION OF TAMPA IS 460,000. OUR TAX BASE DOESN'T REFLECT THAT. ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT. YOU WORK WITH TAX STRUCTURE ALL THE TIME. YOU KNOW THAT THE TAX BASE DOESN'T REFLECT THAT. WE DON'T GET THAT KIND OF PERCENTAGE BACK, SO WE BECOME A DONOR, BUT WHY DO WE DO IT? WE DO IT AS A CITY GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE ARE AN ECONOMIC CENTER, NOT JUST FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BUT FOR THIS REGION. WE DO IT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE HOST A SUCCESSFUL SUPER BOWL, IT'S GOOD FOR THE WHOLE REGION. IF WE HOST SUCCESSFUL SPORTING EVENTS, IT'S GOOD FOR THE WHOLE REGION. DOES IT COST THE CITY OF TAMPA MORE THAN THAT ONE-THIRD? ABSOLUTELY IT COSTS THE CITY OF TAMPA MORE THAN THAT ONE- THIRD. NOW, AS REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER MENTIONED EARLIER, HE SAID, EACH ONE HAS ITS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS. ABSOLUTELY THEY ALL DO. THE EPC IS A TOTALLY ELECTED BODY, SEVEN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES. IF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE WHAT THE EPC IS DOING, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE THE EPC OUT. SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LEAVE THAT AS IS. THE PLANNING COMMISSION, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS NEVER BASED ON POPULATION, AND I REALLY DO THINK THERE IS A PROCEDURAL POINT HERE THAT -- PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS GOING TO BE PART OF THAT BILL. IF SO, I THINK THIS ROOM WOULD HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH MANY MORE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T WANT THE PLANNING COMMISSION TAMPERED WITH, AND THERE IS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC BEING ABLE TO SPEAK HERE LOCALLY ONE TIME A YEAR TO ALL OF YOU AND BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL TO TALLAHASSEE TO SPEAK IN THOSE CORRIDORS, SO THERE'S A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE TO THE AVERAGE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. NOW, LAST TIME, REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO, YOU ASKED -- YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS FRICTION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, COULD WE WORK IT OUT. THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAS BEEN. WE'VE BEEN MEETING QUITE DILIGENTLY. EVERY OTHER MONTH WE MEET AND TALK ABOUT A RANGE OF ISSUES. I THINK WE HAVE SEEN WHERE WE CAN COOPERATE ON A NUMBER OF THINGS. THE REASON WHY THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE HASN'T BEEN WORKED OUT IS BECAUSE IT'S MUCH MORE COMPLEX THAN HOW IT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU TODAY, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHY THESE ISSUES ARE DIFFICULT ONES, AND IF THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME OVERALL LOOK AT THESE VARIOUS BOARDS, THEN WOULDN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT THE CITY OF TAMPA WOULD BE PART OF THAT DIALOGUE? WOULDN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT BEFORE BILLS ARE FILED AND BEFORE WE MAKE THESE CHANGES AND SEND IT ON TO TALLAHASSEE THAT THE CITY OF TAMPA REALLY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS -- AN EXCHANGE WHERE WE LOOK HOLISTICALLY AT THESE BOARDS AND LOOK AT MANY OF THE ISSUES WE'VE JUST TALKED ABOUT? THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES TO US. WE AS THE CITY OF TAMPA WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAINTAIN TAMPA AS A VIBRANT, VIBRANT ECONOMIC CENTER FOR THIS REGION. IF THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO GIVE MORE, WE WILL, BUT WHAT WE EXPECT IN RETURN IS FAIRNESS, AND SOMETHING LIKE THIS JUST ISN'T FAIR, AND THAT'S OUR PROBLEM WITH IT. I VERY MUCH OPPOSE IT, AND I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH YOU HEARING ME OUT ON THIS. APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU VERY. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR YOUR LAST THING IN PARTICULAR REGARDING FAIRNESS. IF I COULD -- I UNDERSTAND MUCH OF WHAT YOU SAID, BUT IF YOU COULD JUST ENUMERATE FOUR OR FIVE POINTS OF THE LACK OF FAIRNESS TO THE PROPOSED BILLS BECAUSE AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE COUNTY OWNS THE PROPERTY -- I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT GOLF COURSES, BUT IT'S 30% OF THE -- OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, FOR INSTANCE, AND IF YOU'RE MEASURING, YOU GOT THE ICE PALACE, YOU GOT THE STADIUM, YOU GOT LEGENDS FIELD, AND THEN YOU GOT THREE GOLF COURSES, WHICH IS 30%, SO IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A FAIRNESS PERSPECTIVE, HOW IS IT MORE FAIR TO WEIGH A GOLF COURSE MORE HEAVILY IN FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTION AND RESPONSIBILITY? I GUESS ACROSS THE BOARD IF YOU COULD JUST ENUMERATE -- >>PAM IORIO: I'D BE HAPPY TO. >>RONDA STORMS: -- FOUR OR FIVE -- >>PAM IORIO: I'D BE HAPPY TO. >>RONDA STORMS: -- ELEMENTS THAT ARE UNFAIR. >>PAM IORIO: ABSOLUTELY. THE -- FIRST OF ALL, THE LAND INITIALLY THAT WAS -- THAT RAYMOND JAMES SITS ON USED TO BELONG TO THE CITY OF TAMPA. THE UNDERLYING BONDS, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO RAYMOND JAMES AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM AND TO LEGENDS FIELD AND THE RECENT MONIES THAT HAVE COME FROM THE COUNTY FOR -- WHERE HAVE THEY COME FROM? FROM THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX IS A COUNTYWIDE REVENUE SOURCE. 80% OF IT COMES FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA. BECAUSE WE ARE THE ECONOMIC CENTER, BECAUSE MOST OF THE HOTEL BEDS ARE IN THE CITY OF TAMPA, WE GENERATE THIS TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX, WHICH THEN GOES TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION, WHICH THEN THEY SPEND IT ON THESE FACILITIES, AND THEN THEY SAY THIS IS COUNTY MONEY. IT'S COUNTYWIDE MONEY. IT'S NOT COUNTY MONEY INASMUCH AS IT COMES FROM THE UNINCORPORATED CITIZENS, IT COMES FROM ALL 1.1 MILLION, AND REALLY, SPECIFICALLY, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TDC MONIES, IT COMES MOSTLY FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA, AS DOES MOST OF SALES TAX REVENUE. AND SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT COUNTYWIDE REVENUE SUPPORTING UNDERLYING BOND ISSUES, THE CITY OF TAMPA IS ALREADY PAYING FOR THAT. THAT'S DOUBLE TAXATION IF YOU EXPECT THE CITY OF TAMPA TO NOT ONLY PAY FOR THAT BUT THEN PAY FOR IT TWICE, I MEAN, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, THE FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS ISSUE, SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- THAT'S A SECOND POINT. THE THIRD POINT DEALING WITH FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS HAS TO DO -- SINCE I WAS ASKED TO REITERATE IT -- DEALS WITH OUR ISSUE OF WHAT WE PAY AS A CITY OUTSIDE OF THAT TWO- THIRDS/ONE-THIRD, AND I'VE ALREADY ENUMERATED WHAT THOSE ARE. WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE WANT EVENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND WE WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO SHINE, BUT THOSE - - THOSE COSTS ARE OUTSIDE OF THE TWO-THIRDS/ONE-THIRD AND ARE A SIGNIFICANT COST TO THE CITY OF TAMPA, SIGNIFICANT. >>RONDA STORMS: MADAM CHAIR, JUST FOLLOW-UP. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ONE FOLLOW-UP, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF CITIZENS WHO WANT TO BE HEARD ON THIS MATTER. >>RONDA STORMS: AND I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE, MADAM MAYOR, BUT I THINK THAT YOU'RE UNNECESSARILY LIMITING IT TO TDC DOLLARS. IN MY EXPERIENCE AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER -- AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN A NUMBER OF YEARS SINCE YOU WERE A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, BUT IN THE RECENT HISTORY AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, WE ACTUALLY PAID REAL COUNTY DOLLARS AND PROVIDED REAL COUNTY SERVICES. IN FACT, THE LAST TIME THE SUPER BOWL WAS HERE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SPENT -- THE COUNTY COMMISSION ALLOCATED REAL DOLLARS, SO I KNOW YOU SAY WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER, AND WE DEMONSTRATED THAT ALSO, BUT WE -- WE SPENT REAL CIT DOLLARS THAT WERE GENERATED AND THAT WERE APPROPRIATED BY COUNTY RESIDENTS. WE REPRESENTED -- WE SPENT REAL GENERAL REVENUE DOLLARS. OUR SHERIFF -- I'VE BEEN A COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, NOW I'M A STATE SENATOR, BUT NEVER HAS TAMPA -- HAS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COME OUT TO THE UNINCORPORATED PART OF THE COUNTY AND SERVICED A CRIME VICTIM AS A REGULAR COURSE OF BUSINESS, BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES, AND SO THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, IS IT'S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT TDC DOLLARS, AND I UNDERSTAND IT SERVES YOUR POINT WELL, BUT IT'S NOT THE FULL PICTURE. THE FULL PICTURE IS THAT TAMPA IS NOT THE DONOR COUNTY, IT IS NOT THE DONOR JURISDICTION. THE REAL TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS IS THAT THE COUNTY SUBSIDIZES IN LARGE PART MUCH OF THE CITY OF TAMPA'S BUSINESS. THEY OWN -- FOR THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY, THEY OWN ALL OF THE PROPERTY, THEY ASSUME ALL OF THE LIABILITIES, THEY HAVE ALL OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES, ALL OF IT, AND SO WHILE SOMETIME IN THE DUSTY HISTORY IT MIGHT HAVE ONE TIME RESTED WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS IT HASN'T HAPPENED THAT -- AND THAT'S NOT EVEN INCLUDING YOUR TIF MONIES THAT YOU'VE GOTTEN AND ALL OF THE MONEY THAT COUNTY RESIDENTS PAY TO HELP THE CITY OF TAMPA, SO I JUST HAVE TO -- TO DISAGREE ON THE ISSUE OF THE FAIRNESS. >>PAM IORIO: MADAM CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO APPEAR. LET ME JUST SAY I THINK THE FACTS ARE OTHERWISE THAN WHAT HAVE JUST BEEN STATED BECAUSE TRULY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE FACTS AND YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, THE CITY OF TAMPA DOES PUT -- MAKE AN INVESTMENT, AND OTHER INVESTMENTS ARE MADE BY COUNTYWIDE REVENUE, AND I THINK THIS SHOWS THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUE. THIS SHOWS THE BREADTH OF IT -- THE DEPTH OF IT, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MAYOR IORIO. WE HAVE MARIELLA SMITH AND A FEW OTHERS. WOULD YOU PLEASE CONFINE YOUR REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU. >> I'M MARIELLA SMITH FROM RUSKIN. GOOD AFTERNOON. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENTS OBJECTED PASSIONATELY TO ANY CHANGE TO OUR PLANNING COMMISSION LAST YEAR WHEN IT WAS SUGGESTED AND AGAIN THIS YEAR WHEN IT WAS SUGGESTED. CITIZENS WERE VERY RELIEVED WHEN OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ASK THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION BE REMOVED FROM THIS BILL. I DON'T SEE HOW -- I DON'T SEE HOW THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CAN GUESS HOW -- THAT OUR COUNTY COMMISSION WOULD APPROVE THIS WITH THIS BACK IN WHEN THEY UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO HAVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION REMOVED IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THAT REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER WOULD AMEND THE BILL TO EXCLUDE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND MAYOR IORIO IS CORRECT. IF PEOPLE THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE CONSIDERING A CHANGE TO OUR PLANNING COMMISSION TODAY, THERE WOULD BE MANY MORE PEOPLE HERE. I DON'T SEE ANY NEED TO RUSH ON THIS. WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL NEXT SESSION, AFTER THE DCA AND THE USF STUDY IS COMPLETED AND AFTER -- AFTER THAT STUDY IS COMPLETED AND AFTER THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY HAVE A CHANCE TO DISCUSS THE RESULTS OF THAT STUDY? GIVE US A CHANCE TO WORK LOCALLY ON ANY RESTRUCTURING THAT MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE INDICATED BY THAT STUDY. OUR COUNTY COMMISSION DOESN'T SUPPORT THIS BILL WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN IT. THE MAYOR OF TAMPA DOESN'T SUPPORT IT. YOU-ALL AGREED TO WAIT FOR THE STUDY. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS UP TO TALLAHASSEE AND RUSH TO A DECISION UP THERE THE MINUTE THE STUDY IS DONE. MAKE YOUR DECISION HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WITH FULL PARTICIPATION OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENTS. NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. DENA LEAVENGOOD AND DENISE LAYNE, WOULD YOU BE ON TAP, PLEASE, AND THEN TERRY FLOTT AND MARILYN SMITH. >> DENA LEAVENGOOD. I LIVE IN THE CITY OF TAMPA, AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE SUSTAINABILITY GROUP TOMORROW MATTERS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER CITIZENS AS WELL AS MYSELF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE COMMENTS THAT YOU'VE HEARD SO FAR REGARDING THIS. I WOULD URGE YOU STRONGLY TO PLEASE PUT THIS OFF AND WAIT TO VOTE ON THIS UNTIL NEXT YEAR. YOU DO HAVE THE STUDY COMING IN ON THE EPC, YOU DO HAVE THE ISSUE ABOUT THE PUBLIC NOT BEING PROPERLY NOTICED THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION TODAY, AND I CAN CERTAINLY TELL YOU THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE PEOPLE HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THAT. I ALSO THINK THAT THE ISSUE IS COMPLEX. THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO CONSIDER, AND I'VE WORKED WITH MANY OF YOU HERE FOR MANY YEARS, AND WE'VE DEVELOPED A LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING AND TRUST AMONGST EACH OTHER, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE AN UNTOWARD HURRY TO PUSH THIS FORWARD THIS YEAR THAT THERE'S NO APPARENT REASON WHY IT NEEDS TO BE RUSHED WITHOUT THOUGHTFUL DELIBERATION, WHICH IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING. YOU REPRESENT THE CITIZENS AS WELL AS THE COUNTIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE CITY. IF THE CITY AND COUNTY CAN'T AGREE ON THINGS, I THINK THERE'S A MAJOR DISCONNECT HERE. AND IF THERE IS THAT COMPLEXITY AND WE HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS IN EVEN COMING TO AGREEMENT HERE AMONG THIS LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, I BEG YOU, PLEASE PUT THIS OFF AND WAIT UNTIL WE CAN ALL SIT TOGETHER AND WORK IT OUT TOGETHER. NOT ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE PRESENT, NOT ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE BEING REPRESENTED EQUALLY, AND WE DO NEED TO HEAR THE PUBLIC VOICE IN THIS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO COME TO TALLAHASSEE IF YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THIS UP. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT WHAT WAS POINTED OUT EARLIER. IF THIS GOES UP THERE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THERE MAY BE AMENDMENTS ADDED TO THIS. IT CAN CHANGE IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS IF YOU SEND THIS BILL TO TALLAHASSEE. AND AGAIN, THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE NO VOICE. SO THE PUBLIC'S MOST IMPORTANT HERE. YOUR CITIZENS ARE WHO VOTE FOR YOU, AND WE'RE WATCHING WHAT YOU'RE DOING, AND PLEASE, ALLOW US TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WHILE YOU'RE DOING THIS. WE THINK WE CAN BE OF SOME HELP. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: DENA, WE HAVE A QUESTION OF YOU FROM REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: WOULD YOU ACCEPT THIS DELEGATION'S COMMITMENT TO YOU THAT IF WE AT LEAST START THIS PROCESS GOING -- BECAUSE WE'VE -- IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE RUSHING. THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR TWO YEARS. IT CAME UP LAST YEAR. WE DEFERRED IT, BUT NOTHING'S BEEN DISCUSSED OUT IN THE OPEN. IF WE PUT THIS IN PLAY, WOULD YOU ACCEPT OUR DELEGATION'S COMMITMENT THAT WE CAN ORGANIZE -- IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AS A FULL DELEGATION, BUT WE CAN ORGANIZE LOCAL WORKSHOPS HERE, AND I COMMIT TO YOU TO DO THIS BEFORE SESSION STARTS, BECAUSE IT'S MY BILL, TO HAVE OPEN PUBLIC WORKSHOPS, MEDIA CAN BE THERE, TELEVISED, THE WHOLE THING, TO TAKE CITIZEN INPUT AND GET THESE ISSUES FLUSHED OUT, BUT IF WE DON'T START THIS PROCESS MOVING TO OPEN IT UP AS A -- AS A REAL DIALOGUE TO GET THAT INPUT TO WORK THROUGH THE COMPLEX ISSUES -- AND WE TACKLE ALL KINDS OF COMPLEX ISSUES EVERY DAY -- THEN WE'RE NEVER GOING TO GET ANY FARTHER. WE HAVEN'T MOVED THE CHAIN DOWN THE FIELD AT ALL BECAUSE THIS KEEPS GETTING SUPPRESSED AND DEFERRED AND TABLED AS IT WAS LAST YEAR. THIS AT LEAST WILL PUT IT IN THE LIMELIGHT, SO IF WE COMMIT TO DO PUBLIC WORKSHOPS LOCALLY SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE THAT INPUT, WOULD YOU AT LEAST COMMIT TO ATTENDING THOSE AND GIVING US THAT INPUT SO WE CAN BE CONSTRUCTIVE IN CONSIDERATION OF THIS LEGISLATION? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR OFFER, REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE INPUT ON THESE WORKSHOPS, AND I WOULD SUGGEST, HOWEVER, NO, IT WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO MAKE THAT ASSERTION TODAY. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE TABLED, AND STILL I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE WORKSHOPS START NOW. THIS ACTUALLY DOES START THE DIALOGUE. WE ARE SITTING HERE, WE'RE STARTING THIS DIALOGUE WITH YOU, AND THE CITY AND THE COUNTY NOW UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER IN THESE WORKSHOPS TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE NATURE. DO WE BASE IT ON POPULATION, DO WE BASE IT ON TAX BASE, DO WE -- HOW DO WE STRUCTURE THIS? WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY TO DO THAT? AND THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHICH OF THESE GROUPS SHOULD HAVE WHICH CHANGES. THEY ARE UNIQUE, EACH OF THESE DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES ARE UNIQUE, AND SO WE REALLY DO NEED TO STUDY IT MORE COMPLETELY, AND I KNOW YOU ARE A THOROUGH, DELIBERATIVE BODY AND THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AND SO WHAT IS THE RUSH TO MOVE THIS FORWARD? THE WORKSHOPS CAN GO ON WITHOUT THE BILL, AND IN FACT, HAVING THE BILL THERE IS SOMEWHAT THREATENING, I MUST ADMIT TO YOU, BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, IT'S OUT OF THE PUBLIC'S PURVIEW TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE MATTER ONCE IT GOES TO TALLAHASSEE. SO WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU AT THIS TIME TABLING AND GETTING RID OF THE BILL FOR THIS YEAR. WE'LL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU WITH THE WORKSHOPS IN ANY WAY WE CAN. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. LEAVENGOOD. DENISE LAYNE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WAS HOPING TO SAY MORNING, BUT WE KIND OF FLEW THROUGH THAT. I'M DENISE LAYNE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE GROWTH. I'VE WORKED WITH YOU ALL IN THE PAST AND FOR MANY YEARS IN TALLAHASSEE. THIS IS A FAIRNESS ISSUE, MY FRIENDS. FIRST OF ALL, THE PROCESS WAS CHANGED TODAY TO ACCOMMODATE THIS BILL. I TAKE GREAT UMBRAGE WITH THAT. WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THAT. THE RULES SHOULD HAVE CHANGED AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF YOUR SESSION. AT THE VERY BEGINNING YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID, NO, WE ARE NOT DOING IT THIS WAY, WE'RE GOING ON SIMPLE MAJORITY. INSTEAD IT WAS DONE AFTER TWO OR THREE BILLS HAD ALREADY GONE THROUGH, SOME TABLED, SOME NOT. I GREATLY TAKE OFFENSE AT PROCESS, AND I'M A PROCESS PERSON. SECONDLY, WE'RE CHANGING THE BILL WHILE WE'RE SITTING HERE. WE'RE TALKING. IT'S BACK AND FORTH. WHAT KIND OF FAITH ARE YOU GIVING US AS THE CITIZENS AND PUBLIC DOWN HERE THAT YOU CAN MAINTAIN GOOD, TIGHT CONTROL IN TALLAHASSEE OF THIS. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO. YOU KNOW THE LAW FIRM OF HOPPING GREEN. THEY WERE DOWN HERE. FRANK MATTHEWS, YOU KNOW WHO HE IS, EVERY ONE OF YOU. YOU DEAL WITH HIM IN TALLAHASSEE. LOBBYIST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IN THIS STATE, IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY STANDING BEFORE OUR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS EPC SAYING GET RID OF OUR EPC WETLANDS DIVISION. WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO BY ALLOWING THIS BILL WITH ANY OF THESE THREE IS YOU'RE UNINTENTIONALLY -- AND I KNOW YOU-ALL WELL ENOUGH, AND I KNOW THIS IS NOT YOUR INTENTION. YOU'RE MEDDLING IN LOCAL ISSUES. IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THESE WORKSHOPS, GOD BLESS YOU, AND I'M ALL FOR IT. I WILL HELP YOU WITH THAT, BUT THE WORKSHOPS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE A BILL IS FILED, HEAR THE INPUT, HEAR THE DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS, PLEASE. NOW YOU'RE GOING TO -- YOU'VE SEEN THESE BILLS HIT TALLAHASSEE. ONCE THEY'RE UP THERE, THE DISCUSSIONS, YOU CAN'T CONTROL THIS STUFF. NOW, I'LL BE IN TALLAHASSEE. YEAH, YOU'LL HAVE ONE CITIZEN VOICE UP THERE TALKING FOR A GROUP, BUT I CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM, AND IT IS NOT FAIR TO BE A BILL WORK IN MOTION -- SOMETHING WORKING IN MOTION COMING IN A LOCAL BILL. WE NEED YOU TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING TODAY. WE NEED YOU HAVING A STRONG GRIP ON THIS TODAY AND THEN GO THOUGHTFULLY AND COLLECTIVELY -- 16 OF YOU GOING, YES, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT, STAY AWAY FROM MY BILL, DON'T TOUCH IT, THIS IS IT. NO. AS SOON AS WE START SEEING WE'VE GOT TO STUDY IT, AND NOW WE'VE GOT ANOTHER STUDY, THIS COULD CHANGE, THAT COULD CHANGE, FLOODGATES OPEN. PLEASE TABLE THIS. I'M GOING TO PASS THIS OUT TO ALL OF YOU. I GAVE IT TO YOU ON E-MAILS YESTERDAY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW IT. 3 AND 4 TABLED, IT'S A MOOT POINT, BUT BILL 1 IS NOT A FAIR BILL. WE HAVE GOT TO PLEASE HAVE THE DISCUSSION LOCALLY WITH -- ABOUT THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, IF WE'RE GOING TO START STUDYING THINGS, WHY ISN'T THE EPC BEING STUDIED FOR THE SAME WONDERFUL THING IT IS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS, TO LOOK AT WHETHER THIS IS EVEN WARRANTED? AGAIN, WE'RE PLAYING ONESIES, TWOSIES, FOOTSIES WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS. THERE IS NO DIRE NEED FOR IT, AND I'LL STOP, MADAM CHAIR. IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. TERRY FLOTT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. TERRY FLOTT, UNITED CITIZENS ACTION NETWORK, SEFFNER COMMUNITY ALLIANCE, AND -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WOULD YOU SPEAK MORE INTO THE MICROPHONE. >> I'M SORRY. I HAVE TO STAND HERE AND SAY I'M SHOCKED BUT NOT SURPRISED, AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HAVE TO STAND HERE AND LOOK AT ME, AND YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY DENY THE FACT THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE -- AND I'M ONE OF OUR -- ONE OF OUR FUN NAME TAGS IS WITH A PICTURE OF A SHELL GAME, A HAND WITH THE SHELLS BEING MOVED. THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE TODAY, AND I THINK IT'S SHOCKING THAT YOU WILL DO THIS. WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. THE AVERAGE CITIZENS HEAR ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME. I'M ONE OF THOSE AVERAGE CITIZENS WORKING TO TRY TO MAKE THINGS BETTER IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH THE LAWS AND ORDINANCES AND WHATNOT. BUT TO COME HERE TODAY AND FIND OUT THE GAME HAS CHANGED, THE PROPOSAL HAS CHANGED IS -- IS NOT FAIR TO ANYONE. I'M WARNING YOU THAT IF YOU PROCEED TODAY WITH THIS WITHOUT TAKING PROPER INPUT OR CONSIDERING PROPER INPUT, IT IS NOT GOING TO SEND A GOOD MESSAGE TO THE CITIZENS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND WE'LL BE SPREADING THAT MESSAGE. SO I'M ASKING YOU TO NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL TODAY. >> QUESTION. >> AND LET'S LOOK AT IT, BRING IT BACK WHEN THE STUDY'S DONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE -- WHY YOU CAN'T DO THAT. SO THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: YEAH. I'M A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED. I MEAN, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE GET UP AND SAY IT HAS CHANGED, IT HAS CHANGED. ACTUALLY IT'S JUST THE OPPOSITE. IT HAS NOT CHANGED. WE'RE GOING TO BE VOTING ON THE BILL IN ITS ORIGINAL RAW FORM AS IT WAS FILED, AS IT WAS NOTICED, AS IT IS. WHAT HAS CHANGED IS THE AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED IT HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN, SO NOTHING'S CHANGED HERE OTHER THAN WE'RE VOTING ON A RAW BILL AS IT WAS WRITTEN, AS IT WAS FILED, AS IT WAS NOTICED, SO THERE'S NO SHELL GAME HERE. >> WELL, LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY. THE -- OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ASKED -- ASKED THAT IT BE AMENDED -- AND THIS IS WHAT EXACTLY WE THOUGHT WE WERE COMING HERE TODAY -- THAT IT BE AMENDED, THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION WOULD NOT BE A PART OF IT. SO WHEN'S ALL -- WHEN ARE ALL THESE CHANGES TAKING PLACE? >>VICTOR CRIST: FOLLOW-UP QUESTION OF MR. AMBLER. >> AND FOR OUR COUNTY COMMISSION -- COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO IT TODAY TO SAY, OH, YEAH, OUR COMMISSIONERS WOULDN'T MIND IT, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT EITHER, UNLESS, OF COURSE, THIS HAS ALL BEEN PLANNED ALONG THE WAY. >>VICTOR CRIST: MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, AND I'LL REPEAT AGAIN, THERE IS A STUDY THAT'S GOING ON, AND I COMMITTED TO REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO AND TO SENATOR JOYNER THAT WE WOULD -- BEFORE WE TOOK ANY DEFINITIVE ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION COMPONENT, WE WOULD WAIT FOR THAT STUDY TO COME OUT, WHICH WILL BE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY. BY CONSIDERING THE BILL TODAY AS ORIGINALLY FILED, IT KEEPS THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THE MIX ONLY SO FAR AS IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY THEN TO GET THAT REPORT AND MEET AS THE DELEGATION EITHER IN TALLAHASSEE OR HERE, TAKE WORKSHOP COMMENT, TO DECIDE WHETHER THAT PIECE IS GOING TO BE DROPPED OUT OF THE BILL OR NOT, BUT IF WE DON'T AT LEAST KEEP IT IN FOR NOW, IT WOULD FORECLOSE US TAKING ANY ACTION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE COMING OUT IN THAT REPORT. SO THERE'S NO SHELL GAME. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A PROCESS TO GET A LOCAL BILL WITH A FRAMEWORK IN MIX AS TO WHAT WILL BE DISCUSSED, AND I'VE COMMITTED THAT IF THAT PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION FROM THAT STUDY COMES BACK AND WE NEED TO DROP THAT PIECE OUT OF THE BILL, WE HAVE THE OPTION TO DO THAT. WHAT OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TOLD US AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING IS IS WE DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF ADDING IT BACK IN IF WE FIND THAT THE REPORT SUPPORTS THE CHANGES THAT WE WANTED TO PROPOSE, SO THIS JUST KEEPS IT IN PLAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO CONSIDER IN THE SESSION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: I'D LIKE A FOLLOW-UP ON WHAT I SAID. I MEAN, WE'RE NOT THE COUNTY COMMISSION, WE'RE NOT THE CITY COUNCIL. MOST OF US HERE WEREN'T EVEN PRIVY TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS OR DEBATES. WE ARE THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. OUR AGENDA IS PUBLICLY NOTICED, AND IT IS IN BLACK AND WHITE AND VERY CLEAR. WE HAVE BILLS THAT ARE ON THE DOCKET, WE HAVE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE ON THE DOCKET, AND WE HAVE NOTE PADS ON THE TABLE HERE WHERE WE CAN CRAFT AMENDMENTS IN THE PROCESS AS WE DELIBERATE. SO WE'RE ADDRESSING A BILL IN ITS ORIGINAL RAW FORM. THERE ARE NO CHANGES BEING MADE TO IT THAT WERE ADDED OR CHANGED OR PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED. THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE ON THE TABLE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A PART OF A DEAL IN SOME OTHER BODY OF GOVERNMENT ARE AT THIS POINT IRRELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE HERE. WE ARE A BODY OF GOVERNMENT THAT HAS TO MAKE A DECISION BASED ON OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BASED ON OUR FACTS AND BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US. WE HAVE A RAW PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE'VE AGREED OR ARE BEGINNING TO DEVELOP AN AGREEANCE TO MOVE FORWARD FOR DISCUSSION. WE'RE NOT PASSING IT IN ITS FINAL FORM, WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE WILLING TO MOVE IT FORWARD FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. RARELY DOES A BILL EVER PASS AT THE END OF THE PROCESS THE WAY IT ENTERED THE PROCESS, BUT AT THIS JUNCTURE, THIS BILL HASN'T EVEN BEEN CHANGED. IT'S STILL THE SAME BILL THAT WAS ADVERTISED AND THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: WELL, I ALSO HAVE TO SPEAK TO THAT BECAUSE I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED TO HEAR SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I HAVE TO TELL YOU. WHEN I HEAR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COME UP AND EVEN OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TALK ABOUT THEY EXPECTED NO CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL BILL, THAT JUST IS NOT THE WAY THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WORKS. THAT'S AN UNREASONABLE EXPECTATION TO COME UP TO THE MIKE AND TO SAY THAT -- THAT YOU EXPECTED THIS BODY NOT TO CHANGE ANYTHING AND THAT IT SHOULD GO TO TALLAHASSEE AND THEN WE SHOULD ALL SAY THERE'S NO CHANGES THERE. THAT'S WHAT THE AMENDATORY PROCESS IS, AND THE REASON WHY MR. BOB HUNTER FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAS SAT HERE ALL DAY IS BECAUSE HE WAS ON NOTICE THAT WE WERE DEALING WITH HIM, WITH HIS -- IF HE THOUGHT THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO DEAL WITH HIM, HE WOULD -- HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SITTING RIGHT WHERE HE IS FRONT ROW -- WAVE YOUR HAND, BOB. SEE, THERE YOU ARE. THERE YOU ARE RIGHT THERE. WHY IS THAT? BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE'S ON NOTICE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THIS. HE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THAT'S WHY EPC IS RIGHT THERE, WAVE YOUR HANDS THERE EPC. THERE YOU ARE. RIGHT. EVERYBODY'S ON NOTICE, HERE'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. SO WE DIDN'T BAIT AND SWITCH, WE'RE NOT CHANGING THE SUBJECT. EVERYBODY KNEW THAT THAT'S WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO BECAUSE IT'S IN THE ORIGINAL BILL. SO THERE -- IN THE AMENDATORY PROCESS, THAT'S WHAT YOU DO IS YOU MAKE CHANGES TO IT, AND THEN YOU VOTE ON IT. THERE IS NO BAIT AND SWITCH, AND THERE SHOULD BE NO DIFFICULTY. IF THERE IS ANY DIFFICULTY, IT'S ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER THE MISAPPREHENSION, EVEN CITIZENS, GOD BLESS THEM, THAT THINK THAT THEY CAN AGREE IN ADVANCE WHAT AN ELECTED BODY WILL DO. I UNDERSTAND YOU THOUGHT BECAUSE THE COUNTY COMMISSION TOLD US TO TAKE THE PLANNING COMMISSION OUT THAT SOMEHOW WE WERE BOUND AND OBLIGATED BY WHAT THE COUNTY COMMISSION WAS TELLING LEGISLATORS TO DO, BUT WE'RE NOT. THAT'S WHY THEY PAY LOBBYISTS TO DO THAT. WE HAVE A LOT OF CONFUSION HERE, MADAM CHAIR. I MEAN, WE'VE GOT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAYING IT'S THEIR BILL. IT'S NOT THEIR BILL. THEY DON'T FILE BILLS. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS DON'T FILE BILLS. THEY MAKE PROPOSALS. IT'S REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO'S BILL. WE HAVE A LOT OF CONFUSION HERE. EVERYBODY JUST NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE LANGUAGE OF THE BILL THAT'S FILED IS WHAT'S DISCUSSED AND PUBLICLY NOTICED. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, SENATOR STORMS. GEORGE NIEMANN. GEORGE. OH, I'M SORRY. REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN HAD A COMMENT. WOULD YOU HOLD FOR A MOMENT. >>RON REAGAN: YEAH. ACTUALLY JUST A QUICK QUESTION, AND I JUST KIND OF REITERATE THE OBVIOUS HERE, AND I'LL DIRECT THIS TO SENATOR CRIST JUST FOR ONE SECOND. DOES THE SENATE -- IF WE PASS A BILL, A LOCAL BILL, DOES THE SENATE NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT TO THAT ON THEIR FLOOR RULES AND FLOOR PROCEDURES JUST LIKE WE DO -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>RON REAGAN: -- WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT; RIGHT? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>RON REAGAN: SO MEMBERS, I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE CONSCIOUS AND AWARE OF THIS. WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS JUST TO PUSH THIS FORWARD. GREAT. I WANTED TO REITERATE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST WOULD LIKE -- >> HISTORICALLY LOOKING AT SUBJECTS LIKE THIS, THEY'RE GENERALLY DEAD ON ARRIVAL, SO WE'LL PROBABLY, KNOWING WHAT THE COUNT IS AROUND THE TABLE, PASS THIS BILL IN THE RAW FORM TO FORCE DISCUSSION, BUT ULTIMATELY A LOCAL BILL THAT'S THIS CONTROVERSIAL IS GENERALLY DEAD ON ARRIVAL AND HAS LITTLE TO NO CHANCE OF SURVIVING BECAUSE GENERALLY THE LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE DO NOT WANT TO ENTERTAIN TIME AND DEBATE FOR LOCAL BILLS THAT THE LOCAL DELEGATIONS HAVEN'T COME TO TERMS ON. >>RON REAGAN: GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>VICTOR CRIST: SO WHAT I SEE HAPPENING HERE TODAY IS JUST FURTHERING DISCUSSIONS. >>RON REAGAN: I APPRECIATE THAT GETTING ON THE RECORD. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: I WANTED TO MAKE ONE COMMENT, AND THAT IS THAT SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS AMENDMENT. THE AMENDMENT WAS DATED NOVEMBER THE 19th, AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE, I THINK, HAVE REFERENCED IN THAT THEY THOUGHT BECAUSE THE AMENDMENT HAD BEEN FILED TO TAKE OUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION INFORMATION THAT THAT WAS NOT - - THAT THAT WOULD BE DONE, AND SO -- WHAT. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: THAT'S THE DATE IT WAS TYPED UP. THIS IS THE DATE WE RECEIVED IT. >>FAYE CULP: WELL, DECEMBER 3rd. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I THINK WE'VE PRETTY MUCH CLEARED UP THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION, VIS-A-VIS WHAT, IN FACT, THIS BODY DOES. THAT WAS WELL STATED BY BOTH SENATORS. NOTWITHSTANDING ALL OF THAT, THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OPINION. NOW THEY KNOW HOW WE MAKE LAWS. THIS IS A MICROCOSM OF THE LEGISLATURE. [LAUGHTER] NOW, MR. NIEMANN. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. GEORGE NIEMANN. I AM A MEMBER OF UNITED CITIZENS ACTION NETWORK, AND I AM A CITIZEN OF HILLSBOROUGH. I LIVE IN DOVER. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT I AM OPPOSED TO THIS BILL, AND I WOULD LIKE -- I WOULD LIKE NOT TO SEE IT TO GO TO TALLAHASSEE. I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A FLAVOR OF WHY THERE'S -- OBVIOUSLY, I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONFUSION, AND I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A FLAVOR FOR WHY YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF CITIZENS IN HILLSBOROUGH OBJECTING TO THIS BILL, AND YOU MAY HAVE GOTTEN E-MAILS, AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL GO BACK TO WORK TO HAVE MANY, MANY MORE E-MAILS SENT TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE AREN'T IN FAVOR OF IT. THERE'S A LOT OF SUSPICION IN OUR MINDS -- AND I'M ACTIVE IN MY COMMUNITY, AND I COME DOWN TO COUNTY CENTER WAY TOO OFTEN TO TRY AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESSES THAT THE COUNTY HOLDS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DISCOVERED IN DOING COMP PLAN AMENDMENTS AND SITTING ON COMMITTEES THIS YEAR IS THE -- THE DEVELOPMENT LOBBY OR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY LOBBY HAS BEEN ON A PUSH, AND WE CAN SEE IT, THEY SAY IT IN COMMITTEE MEETINGS. THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PLANNING COMMISSION GO AWAY. SO IT'S JUST -- MAYBE IT'S JUST COINCIDENCE, BUT WE THAT ARE DOWN HERE IN THE COUNTY SITTING ACROSS THE TABLE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOBBY WHEN THEY KEEP SAYING WE'VE GOT TO GET RID OF THIS COMMISSION OR THEY INFER THAT OR THEIR ACTIONS INDICATE THAT THAT'S THEIR INTENTION, THEN WE SEE THIS BILL COME FORWARD AND WE SEE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A RUSH, LET'S GET IT UP TO TALLAHASSEE WHERE WE CAN REALLY WORK ON IT IN ROOMS UP THERE BUT THEN I CAN'T ATTEND -- SO WE'RE VERY CONCERNED THAT THAT MAY BE AN UNDERLYING AGENDA, AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS STUDY COMES OUT, BUT SOMEHOW I GET THE FEELING -- I DO AND OTHER CITIZENS GET THE FEELING THAT THIS STUDY MAY COME OUT AND SUDDENLY WE'LL FIND MAYBE WE DON'T NEED THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT I HAVE TO SAY PERSONALLY, AND MOST OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS IN MY AREA THAT MANY TIMES I REPRESENT THEIR OPINIONS WHEN I COME DOWN TO SPEAK, THEY ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION THERE, AND WE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYTHING CHANGE BECAUSE THEY END UP -- SOMETIMES WE FEEL THAT THEY'RE THE ONLY BODY THAT PROTECTS OUR INTERESTS WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMP PLAN. SO I WOULD ASK YOU, PLEASE, DON'T SEND THIS BILL TO TALLAHASSEE. WHEN YOU GET THE STUDIES WE CAN -- AND YOU WANT TO COME DOWN, I WOULD ASK FOR A COMMITMENT BECAUSE I HEARD A SUGGESTION FROM A REPRESENTATIVE, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO ATTEND WORKSHOPS? OF COURSE WE WOULD. WE'LL TRY AND BRING CONCERNED CITIZENS HERE, BUT I'D LIKE TO GET A COMMITMENT FROM ALL OF YOU -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. NIEMANN. >> -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD WORKSHOPS, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME DOWN AND DISCUSS THOSE THINGS IN HILLSBOROUGH, AND DON'T SEND THE BILL. WAIT UNTIL THE STUDIES ARE DONE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. MARILYN SMITH. SOMEBODY'S GOING TO LEAVE. I GOT TO DO IT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MARILYN SMITH, GRANDMOTHER-AT-LARGE. I REALLY AM. WELL, I'M SORRY. I CAN'T GO ANY LOUDER. HELLO. OKAY. JUST PAY ATTENTION. I'M AN OLD LADY. PAY ATTENTION. I AM VERY, VERY DISGRUNTLED AND DISGUSTED AT THE PROCEDURE THE WAY IT STARTS OUT AND THEN GETS CHANGED MIDSTREAM. WE ALL KNOW IT'S BAD POLICY TO CHANGE COURSES MIDSTREAM. YOU DID THAT TO US TODAY. YOU OUGHT NOT TO BE PROUD OF THAT. WE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT BUSINESS TO BE DONE IN THE SUNSHINE. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE CORRALLING THIS BILL SO THAT YOU CAN SHIFT IT OFF UP THERE, AND GOD KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE. WE WANT YOU TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY, AND THE RIGHT WAY WOULD BE TO COME BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY AND CITY AND LET US PARTICIPATE IN THE VERY COMMITTEES THAT WOULD THEN PUT THIS TOGETHER AND MAKE IT A VIABLE ENTITY TO GO FORWARD. IT'S NOT READY TO BE MADE INTO A PIE RIGHT NOW. IT IS A RAGU OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN. [LAUGHTER] NOW, MAYBE THAT'S NOT CLEAR TO YOU, BUT IT'S CLEAR TO ME. I DON'T THINK YOU ARE -- YOU'RE NOT READY TO DESTROY SOMETHING OF LOCAL IMPORTANCE, ARE YOU? YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THAT? YOU KNOW, I CAN FEEL THE UMBRELLA ALREADY COMING, WHERE HAS THE SUNSHINE GONE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. WE'RE ASKING YOU PLEASE STOP THIS NOW. I DON'T BUY THIS THING, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS, WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, BECAUSE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT, KEVIN, YOU CHANGED THE RULES. NOW, WE CAN'T TRUST YOU WHEN YOU WANT TO DO THAT. HOW DO WE KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WANT TO CHANGE SOME MORE WHEN YOU GET TO TALLAHASSEE? YEAH, HOW ABOUT THAT? WE WANT THIS STOPPED, AND WE WANT IT STOPPED NOW. JUST STOP IT. AND WHAT MR. GIBBONS HAD THE BRAINS TO PUT TOGETHER FOR US WITH OUR PLANNING COMMISSION AND OUR EPC, YOU GUYS THINK YOU'RE SMARTER THAN SAM GIBBONS? GUESS AGAIN. HE SAW THE CORRUPTION THAT WAS GOING ON, AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY HE CREATED THOSE TWO. THAT'S THE REASON WHY THEY WERE GIVEN LEGISLATIVE LIFE. AND THEY PROTECT US, BOTH OF THEM DO. THEY ARE OUR LAST BASTION OF PROTECTION, AND I DO NOT WANT THEIR DECISIONS BEING MADE TO BE ALIVE OR DEAD OR SO BASTARDIZED WE WON'T RECOGNIZE THEM BY THE TIME YOU GUYS DO YOUR BUTCHERING. STOP IT NOW. BRING IT BACK. IT IS A LOCAL ISSUE. IT IS NOT A WHOLE OF EVERYBODY IN TALLAHASSEE AND EVERYBODY IN MIAMI AND PALATKA AND EVERYWHERE ELSE VOTING ON IT. WE CAN WORK ON IT THE NEXT YEAR SO YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY GOT TO PARTICIPATE IN, JUST OF NOT JUST A FEW, NOT JUST VESTED INTERESTS THAT INSIST UPON CALLING THEMSELVES STAKEHOLDERS. I'M A STAKEHOLDER. I OWN THIS BUILDING, OKAY. DON'T FORGET IT. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FOR US, BUT YOU'RE SURE NOT LISTENING TO US TODAY, NOT VERY WELL AT ALL. WE WANT YOU TO STOP IT. DID YOU HEAR THAT PART? STOP IT. VOTE IT DOWN NOW. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ROBERT HUNTER. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BOB HUNTER. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CITY- COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION. I COME BEFORE YOU THIS AFTERNOON BECAUSE MY CHAIRMAN -- WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE THE ACTIONS THAT YOU WERE TAKING TODAY, AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN, I THINK, A LOT MORE CITIZENS HERE HAD WE KNOWN THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION -- >> THAT WAS YOUR MISTAKE. >> -- QUOTE, WAS BEING ADDED BACK. REPRESENTATIVE STORMS, I APPRECIATE YOUR RECOGNIZING ME IN THE AUDIENCE. I WAS DOWN IN MY OFFICE WATCHING THIS ON TV UNTIL I HEARD YOUR FIRST -- FIRST DISCUSSION OF LOCAL BILL NUMBER 1. I WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE MAYOR IORIO'S COMMENTS AS IT DEALS WITH ALL OF BILL NUMBER 1. I DO THINK IT'S A LOCAL ISSUE, AND I'D STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU, AS REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER SUGGESTED, TO START YOUR MEETINGS AFTER -- IT'S TOO QUICK TO GET IT STARTED RIGHT NOW TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE WHOLE NEXT NINE MONTHS. I'D RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO REMOVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION. BY THE WAY, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOESN'T SELL BONDS, THEY'RE NOT A TAXING AUTHORITY, THEY'RE NOT A GOVERNING AUTHORITY. THEY ONLY RECOMMEND TO EACH OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. I DON'T THINK ADDING ONE MORE FROM THE BOCC HELPS. I THINK THE INTENTION WAS TO GET REPRESENTATION. THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO EACH OF THE FOUR GOVERNMENTS THEIR COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND AMENDMENTS THERETO. I THINK THE COMPOSITION IS GOOD. IT'S SERVED US FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS. I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO KEEP IT. LAST YEAR WHEN THIS ITEM CAME UP, ALL THREE CITIES PASSED RESOLUTIONS ASKING YOU NOT TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND MAYOR IORIO SENT YOU A LETTER. JUST TO BRING YOU UP-TO-DATE, I'D RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU ALSO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE BOCC'S ACTIONS WHERE THREE WEEKS AGO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY MOTION MOVED THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION BE DELETED FROM THOSE -- FROM THE BILL. THEY DID APPROVE OF EPC, I'M SORRY TO SAY, AND THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, BUT THEY TOOK AN ACTION UNANIMOUSLY OF THOSE PRESENT TO REMOVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION. AT THE PRESENT TIME, LEGISLATORS, THERE IS NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING CHANGE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS ASKING FOR THIS. MOST RESPECTFULLY I ASK YOU TO DELETE THE PLANNING COMMISSION FROM THE BILL. LET ME JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK SUMMARY. MY RECOLLECTION OF THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS WAS THAT REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER FILED A BILL, IT WAS NOTICED, PUBLIC GOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT, THE BOCC VOTED ON IT TO REMOVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION THREE WEEKS AGO. SINCE THEN, LAST THURSDAY I WAS IN COMMUNICATION WITH REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER'S OFFICE SAYING SINCE THE BOCC VOTED TO REMOVE US AND THE THREE CITIES HAD ELECTED LAST YEAR TO REMOVE US, WOULD HE PLEASE CONSIDER REMOVING US FROM THE BILL. HE INDICATED HE WOULD AND THAT HE WOULD FILE AN AMENDMENT. IT WAS ADVERTISED -- IT WAS ADVERTISED SINCE THEN THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS PART OF THE PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS, SO AGAIN, RESPECTFULLY AND IN SUMMARY, NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS SUPPORTING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S COMPOSITION BEING CHANGED, AND RESPECTFULLY, I'D ASK YOU TO REMOVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION FROM THIS. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. RECOGNIZE REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I APPRECIATE IT. MEMBERS, I'D LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT AT THIS POINT, AND HEAR ME OUT ON WHAT THE AMENDMENT IS. IT'S A VERY SIMPLE AMENDMENT. IT WOULD MAKE THE EFFECTIVE DATE '09 INSTEAD OF '08, AND IN DOING SO, WE WOULD STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD, BRING THIS THROUGH A SESSION, BUT IT WOULD ALSO PUT ANOTHER SESSION IN BETWEEN THIS BILL BECOMING LAW AND US PASSING IT OUT TODAY. SO I MAKE THAT PROPOSAL FOR YOUR DISCUSSION AND DECISION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO, THIS IS TO YOU, A QUESTION TO YOU. IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE -- IF WE ARE GOING TO NOT HAVE IT BECOME LAW UNTIL '09, WOULD YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MAKING THE MOTION TO JUST DELAY THE BILL UNTIL 2008? AND I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO THAT, BUT WOULD YOU MAKE THAT MOTION? >>BILL GALVANO: MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, REPRESENTATIVE. >>BILL GALVANO: WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT. I DON'T THINK PROCEDURALLY WE CAN DO THAT. WE HAVE CONTROL OVER AN EFFECTIVE DATE, BUT WE CAN'T, AS A LOCAL DELEGATION, PREDETERMINE SUBMISSIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR '09, WHICH WOULD BE SPEAKING FOR THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION TO BE CONVENED NEXT YEAR, BUT WE DO HAVE CONTROL OVER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF A BILL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: FOR A POINT OF INFORMATION, I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE TO SERVE ON THIS DELEGATION FOR 15 OR 16 YEARS, AND WHEN MALCOLM BEARD WAS CHAIRMAN, I BELIEVE IT WAS BACK IN '94, WE IMPLEMENTED SOMETHING THAT RON GLICKMAN AND A COUPLE OF OTHER MEMBERS WERE PUSHING FORWARD, AND THAT WAS AUDITING OUR LOCAL STATE-CREATED AUTHORITIES, AND I HEADED UP THAT FIRST AUDIT COMMISSION AND THEN PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING SEQUENT YEARS, AND WHAT BECAME APPARENT AFTER AUDITING ALL OF OUR STATE-CREATED AUTHORITIES WAS THAT SEVERAL OF THEM WERE OPERATING OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THEIR RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY, AND WE HAD TO WORK WITH THEM TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THAT, BUT ALSO WHAT CAME OUT OF THIS IS TIMES HAVE CHANGED, NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED, AND REPRESENTATIONS ON THESE BOARDS SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH FAIRNESS. AND FOR THE LAST TWO LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETINGS THIS HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDA, AND THE BILLS HAVE BEEN PULLED, SO THIS IS NOT NEW. THIS HAS BEEN A DEBATED ISSUE FOR 15 YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN A BILL ON THE TABLE FOR THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS, AND THE BILL THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING NOW IS A BILL THAT WAS FILED IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM THAT EVERYONE'S HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT. IF SOMEONE FELT THAT THEY THOUGHT IN ADVANCE WHAT COULD HAPPEN HERE AND THAT WAS THE REASON THEY DIDN'T COME, THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY MADE A MISTAKE. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE. BUT ULTIMATELY AT THIS POINT, THIS IS ONLY A BEGINNING, AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT EXPRESSED A CONCERN THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS AN INTENT TO DISSOLVE THESE AUTHORITIES, I WILL ASSURE YOU THAT THIS SENATOR DOES NOT WANT TO DO THAT AND NEITHER DOES THE ONE SITTING NEXT TO ME BECAUSE I'VE SPOKEN TO HER AND NEITHER DOES THE ONE THAT IS CHAIRING THE COMMITTEE BECAUSE I'VE SPOKEN TO HER. AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE FOURTH SENATOR, BUT I WOULD BE WILLING, KNOWING HIM WELL ENOUGH, THAT HE'D BE ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF NOT DISSOLVING ANY OF THEM, BUT LEAVING HIM OUT OF THE MIX, JUST THE FACT THE THREE OF US WOULDN'T DO THAT, IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN. SO THAT'S NOT EVEN A CONCERN THAT EVEN SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TODAY BECAUSE THAT ISN'T EVEN PART OF THIS DISCUSSION. WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING TODAY IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL AT THIS POINT CHANGE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVING ON THE BOARDS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF FAIRNESS BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY BASED ON POPULATION GROWTH AND CHANGES, AND THE REALISTIC IDEA OF THIS BILL PASSING IS PROBABLY RIGHT NOW A 60/40 CHANCE OF NO BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MUCH CONTROVERSY OVER IT, UNLESS THAT CHANGES, AND I DOUBT IT WILL, BUT AT LEAST WE WILL HAVE THIS MOVE FORWARD FOR DISCUSSION, A LITTLE MORE FORWARD THAN IT HAS IN THE LAST 15 YEARS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: AS THE SPONSOR BILL, I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT. WHAT THAT DOES IS IT GIVES OUR COMMITMENT TO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT AS WE'RE MOVING THE CHAINS FORWARD, IF WE HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF '09, WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET THIS THING ADDRESSED, BUT IT WILL COMPEL THAT WE WILL, IN FACT, HAVE THOSE WORKSHOPS. THOSE HAVE BEEN PROMISED TO US. WE CAN'T SEEM TO GET THOSE THINGS EVER OFF THE GROUND BECAUSE THERE'S NO PENDING LEGISLATION, SO WE'RE IN THIS PROVERBIAL CHICKEN AND THE EGG ARGUMENT OF WHAT GOES FIRST. I THINK WE'VE TRIED IT THE OTHER WAY. NOW WE NEED TO TRY IT THIS WAY. WE NEED TO HAVE A PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN PLAY THAT WILL COMPEL THE PUBLIC DEBATE, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT DEBATE WILL LEAD US AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT I'M WILLING TO ENGAGE IN THE DISCUSSION, AND THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN SUPPRESSED UP UNTIL NOW IN MY VIEW. I'D LIKE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THIS PROCESS SO WE CAN HAVE THOSE WORKSHOPS LOCALLY SO LOCAL CITIZENS CAN COME, AND WE CAN THEN HAVE SOME BENEFIT OF THE STUDIES THAT WE DO. MAYBE WE DO ANOTHER AUDIT THROUGH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDITING COMMITTEE IN THE INTERIM AS WELL. THOSE ARE ALL GOOD THINGS, BUT WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS IN THE MIX, AND THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT, TO START THE BALL WITH THE LEGISLATION, AND THAT'S WHAT BILL 1 DOES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER AND OTHERS, I JUST -- I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION TODAY -- THE AMENDMENT, I'M SORRY. I WAS GOING TO ASK -- WELL, WE'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE TODAY. I THINK WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, GO BACK AND FORTH, TOGGLE BACK AND FORTH. ANYWAY, I KNOW THERE'S AN AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR. I CAN'T SUPPORT THAT ONE, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. I THINK THERE'S A FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE HAPPENING HERE, AND I'M HEARING IT FROM THE PEOPLE, I'M HEARING IT FROM US, AND I THINK BECAUSE THERE'S NOT -- THERE'S NOT ANY COHESION, I THINK, HERE AS WELL AS IN SOME OF THE COMMENTS WE'RE HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY -- I THINK THAT IN ITSELF SENDS UP A RED FLAG. I THINK IF IT HAS THIS MANY ISSUES AND LINKAGES, THEN I THINK WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT ANOTHER OPTION, AND I LIKE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO PRESENT AND I LIKE THE FACT THAT YOU ALWAYS COME UP WITH VERY HEADY, YOU KNOW, ALTERNATIVES, BUT I THINK THIS HAS SOME FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES, AND BECAUSE IT HAS FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES, I, FOR ONE, CANNOT SUPPORT YOUR RECENT MOTION AS WELL AS THE -- AS WELL AS THE GUTS OF THIS BILL IN GENERAL, SO I'M TALKING ABOUT THE -- THE AMENDMENT AS WELL AS -- AS WELL AS THE FOUNDATION OF THE BILL IN GENERAL. THAT'S WHERE I'M AT, AND SO I'M OUT ON THE TABLE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE I'M GOING. I'M NOT VOTING FOR IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL HAVE A VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT, AND THAT'S TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE UNTIL 2009. >>KEVIN AMBLER: NINE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NINE. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THAT'S THE EFFECTIVE DATE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE LAW UNTIL 2009. WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR JOYNER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL. >>SETH McKEEL: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: THE AMENDMENT PASSES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: BY YOUR VOTE, THE AMENDMENT PASSES. NOW WE'RE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: [INAUDIBLE] >>WILL WEATHERFORD: YES. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: REGARDING THE TECHNICALITY OF THAT, ON PAGE 2, 3, AND 4, I THINK -- AND OF COURSE ON 5, THERE ARE OTHER DATES THAT ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT HAVE TO TAKE PLACE IN '08, SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO -- IT'S -- >> [INAUDIBLE] >>FAYE CULP: SO ALL OF THAT IS GOING TO NEED TO BE CHANGED SOMEHOW IN THE AMENDMENT. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>FAYE CULP: NO, HE SAID THE EFFECTIVE DATE, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ASPECT WILL NEED TO BE CHANGED ON ALL OF THOSE PAGES. >> CORRECT. >> CORRECT. >>FAYE CULP: OKAY. JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. THANK YOU. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THE AMENDMENT CHANGED THE EFFECTIVE DATE IN THE ENTIRE BILL, SO ALL THOSE DATES THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN '08 WOULD BE IN '09. THAT'S A TECHNICAL CORRECTION DONE BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHEN THEY PREPARE THE BILL TO GO FORWARD. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I BELIEVE YOU NEED A MOTION TO -- OKAY. WELL, IT DOESN'T -- ALL RIGHT. IT DOESN'T MATTER. ALL THOSE -- YES. >>KEVIN AMBLER: WE DO IT AT THE CONCLUSION OF ALL LOCAL BILLS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE'RE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED IN DEBATE. REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL. >>SETH McKEEL: ACTUALLY, I'M SORRY. I JUST HAVE TWO QUICK QUESTIONS, IF YOU DON'T MIND, FOR THE SPONSOR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: FINE. GO AHEAD. >>SETH McKEEL: THE FIRST ONE, IS THIS EXACTLY THE SAME BILL THAT WAS FILED LAST YEAR? IS THIS THE SAME BILL THAT WAS FILED LAST TIME? >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO. THE BILL IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT ADDS IN THE EPC. CURRENTLY THE EPC HAS NO REPRESENTATION BY THE CITIES WHATSOEVER. IT'S 100% COUNTY COMMISSION-APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES. >>SETH McKEEL: OKAY, NOT THE EPC, THE OTHER TWO PIECES? >>KEVIN AMBLER: THE SPORTS AUTHORITY PORTION IS THE SAME. I THINK THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION PORTION IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. >>SETH McKEEL: MY SECOND QUESTION WAS LAST YEAR WHEN WE TABLED THIS BILL, WE TABLED IT WITH AN -- AS I RECALL -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YEP. >>SETH McKEEL: MEMBERS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. WE TABLED IT WITH AN ASK TO THE COMMUNITY TO WORKSHOP IT AND GET US A PRODUCT THE FOLLOWING YEAR THAT WAS ACCEPTABLE TO ALL, AND I'M -- I DON'T LIVE HERE. I DON'T LIVE HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE WORKSHOPS HAPPENED. MY QUESTION IS DID THEY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LAST YEAR WE CHALLENGED THE CITY AND THE COUNTY -- REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIESA SAID THIS WAS A FAMILY FIGHT, AND THE TWO MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY NEEDED TO GET TOGETHER AND WORK IT OUT AND BRING IT BACK TO US, AND THAT DISCUSSION OBVIOUSLY DID NOT OCCUR. >>SETH McKEEL: OR WE WOULD BE TAKING THE BILL BACK UP THIS YEAR IS WHAT WAS SAID? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO, THAT PART OF TAKING IT BACK UP WAS NOT A PART OF LAST YEAR'S DELIBERATIONS. WE TOLD THEM TO WORK IT OUT. WE DIDN'T SAY AND IF YOU DON'T WORK IT OUT, WE'LL TAKE IT UP. >>KEVIN AMBLER: WELL, THAT'S NOT TRUE. WHAT I SAID AT THE MEETING LAST YEAR BECAUSE IT WAS MY BILL -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >>KEVIN AMBLER: I'M SORRY. I APOLOGIZE, MADAM CHAIRMAN. I APOLOGIZE. WHAT I SAID AT THE MEETING LAST YEAR WAS FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO GO BACK AND ATTEMPT TO WORK IT OUT, HOLD THE WORKSHOPS, DO WHATEVER. I DON'T RECALL THERE BEING A SINGLE NOTIFICATION OF A WORKSHOP. I KNOW THAT THE MAYOR HAS MET WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN AND SOME OF THOSE KIND OF PRIVATE MEETINGS HAVE GONE ON. I'M UNAWARE OF ANY PUBLIC WORKSHOP THAT'S GONE ON IN THIS REGARD THAT WAS CONDUCTED LOCALLY. WHAT I SAID WAS IF THEY DIDN'T DO SOMETHING TO WORK IT OUT AND BRING US BACK, YOU KNOW, THE RESULTS OF THAT PROCESS, THAT YOU WOULD SEE ME AGAIN THIS YEAR REFILING THE BILL AND DOING THIS AGAIN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BILL ADDING IN THE EPC. YOU'RE CORRECT. IT'S WHAT I PROMISED TO DO WOULD BE TO BRING THIS BACK UP, AND I THINK THE REASONS ARE IS WE NEED TO PUT THIS IN PLAY SO THAT THOSE WORKSHOPS DO OCCUR. >>SETH McKEEL: THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OPINION ON MEMORY FROM LAST YEAR, AND I WOULD REFER TO THE WRITTEN RECORD. I DON'T RECALL THAT AT ALL. I REMEMBER REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIESA MAKING IT VERY CLEAR THAT THESE -- THAT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY NEEDED TO GET TOGETHER, WORK IT OUT, AND BRING IT BACK TO US AND HAVE WORKSHOPS, ET CETERA, AND THAT WAS NOT DONE. NOW, I KNOW THE MAYOR AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIR, I BELIEVE, MIGHT HAVE HAD SOME DIALOGUE, BUT NOTHING ELSE OCCURRED WITH THE PEOPLE. NOTWITHSTANDING ALL OF THAT, WE ARE AT THE POINT NOW WHERE IT'S TIME TO VOTE IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DEBATE. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I FEEL LIKE A REFEREE TODAY. IT'S BEEN A KNOCK-DOWN, DRAG-OUT FIGHT. I'M NOT SURE IF I'M THE REFEREE OR THE GUY GETTING BEAT UP OR DOING THE BEATING SOMETIMES, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS BILL OVERALL. I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT WE CHANGED THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEETING AND NOT BEFORE THE MEETING. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THAT'S UNFAIR TO THE PEOPLE TO CHANGE THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE. WE SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THEM AT THE BEGINNING. SO I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THAT. AGAIN, THIS SHOULD BE SOLVED LOCALLY, AND LAST YEAR WE SAID SOLVE IT LOCALLY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YEP. >>RICH GLORIOSO: AND NOTHING WAS DONE, NOT ONE THING. AND I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL, BUT I AM DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF GETTING SOME WORKSHOPS GOING, AND WITH REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER'S COMMITMENT TO HAVE SOME WORKSHOPS WITH THE AFFECTIVE DATE BEING '09 RATHER THAN '08, WHICH GIVES US TIME TO HAVE WORKSHOPS AND MAKE CHANGES FROM THOSE WORKSHOPS, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IS -- YES. IS THERE FURTHER DEBATE? REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IF I COULD TAKE THAT VOTE BACK, I PROBABLY WOULD BECAUSE I DIDN'T COUNT VOTES BEFORE -- IT WASN'T MY BILL, SO I DID NOT COUNT VOTES LOOKING AT WHAT THE OUTCOME MIGHT POSSIBLY BE, AND I REALLY AM IN AGREEMENT WITH ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAID WE SHOULDN'T CHANGE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEETING, BUT I MADE A COMMITMENT TO REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER ON THAT PROCEDURAL VOTE WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT I WOULD NOT VOTE FOR THE BILL, AND MY STANCE HAS CERTAINLY NOT CHANGED ON THAT. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS BILL AS IT IS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: FURTHER DEBATE. REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MADAM CHAIR, IT TROUBLES ME WHEN I SEE OUR CITIZENS CONFUSED, AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE PEOPLE THAT THEY SENT TO TALLAHASSEE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID THE RIGHT THING FOR THEM, AND SO I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS BILL WITH THE CONFUSION I KNOW THAT'S SITTING IN THIS AUDIENCE, AND I CAN IMAGINE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER AREAS OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT THIS BILL AND SAYING YOU'RE CHANGING RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AS MY FATHER WOULD SAY, AND WHAT'S HAPPENING? HORSE TRADING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD JUST DOESN'T WORK. THAT'S WHAT HE ALWAYS SAID TO ME, SO WE'RE NOT HORSE TRADING HERE, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BILL, BUT WE ALSO WANT OUR CITIZENS THAT'S HERE TODAY AND THE ONES THAT'S BACK HOME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS BILL, SO WITH ALL RESPECT -- DUE RESPECT TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, I CANNOT SUPPORT IT IN THE FORM THAT IT STANDS IN RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IS THERE FURTHER DEBATE? IF NOT, I'D LIKE TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE DEBATE. I CAN'T -- I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS BILL. YOU KNOW, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT WE HAVE RULES THAT ALLOW US TO WAIVE THE RULES -- AND WE DO THIS FREQUENTLY IN TALLAHASSEE. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN THE COMMITTEE MEETING, BUT THIS IS NOT TALLAHASSEE, THIS IS HOME WITH THE -- THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE HERE. THEY EXPECT US TO FOLLOW THE RULES THAT WILL GIVE THEM EQUAL ADVANTAGE, AND TODAY THEY FEEL DISADVANTAGED. LAST YEAR WE DEBATED THIS A LONG TIME. WE HAD FERVENT TESTIMONY FROM MEMBERS, FERVENT DEBATE, AND IT WAS FELT THAT IT WAS A LOCAL ISSUE, AND TO DO ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY TO THE EXISTING LAW WOULD USURP LOCAL CONTROL, AND WE'RE ALWAYS UP THERE SAYING, WELL, WE SHOULD NOT TAKE AWAY THE POWER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE'VE DONE QUITE A BIT OF THAT IN INSTANCES WHERE WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. TODAY I BEG TO DIFFER, THAT IT IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I CAN'T SUPPORT THE BILL. WE TOLD THEM TO GET TOGETHER, WE TOLD THEM TO BRING US SOMETHING, AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE IT. IT'S QUITE CLEAR THAT THE REFILING OF THE BILL WAS MOTIVATED BY THE FILING OF ANOTHER BILL, AND HERE WE ARE NOW WITH THAT ONE OUT AND THIS ONE IN, AND A CONVERGENCE OF ISSUES IN IT THAT SHOULDN'T BE IN IT, AND FOR THAT REASON, I CAN'T SUPPORT IT, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL WORK DILIGENTLY IN TALLAHASSEE, HOPEFULLY, TO SEE THAT THIS BILL DOESN'T SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT HAD THE INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE, THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WENT BEFORE THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND STOOD UP AND BACKED THEM DOWN BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND THAT, WAIT A MINUTE, THERE IS AN INTEREST IN THE ENVIRONMENT, THERE IS AN INTEREST IN ALL OF WHAT WE DO IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND THE PEOPLE SPOKE, AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LISTENED SO MUCH SO UNTIL THEY SAID TAKE OUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT RULES, AND TRUE, THE SUNSHINE DOESN'T SHINE HERE THE WAY IT DOES ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE CAN TALK BECAUSE IF WE COULDN'T TALK, WE COULDN'T EVER GET A BILL PASSED, BUT I -- I CAN'T SUPPORT IT, AND WITH THAT, I'LL CALL -- I'M GOING TO LET YOU CLOSE, REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. THAT'S WHAT THE RULES PROVIDE FOR, AND WITH THAT, I RECOGNIZE REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER TO CLOSE ON HIS BILL. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THANK YOU. AND I'LL BE BRIEF. LET ME ADDRESS TWO POINTS, ONE PROCEDURAL AND ONE ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE BILL. PROCEDURALLY, FOR ALL THOSE LISTENING, THE ONLY RULE THAT CHANGED TODAY, THE ONLY RULE THAT CHANGED WAS THAT WE ALLOW THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING AND THE MAJORITY OF THE SENATORS PRESENT AND VOTING TO BE ABLE TO ADOPT LEGISLATION COMING OUT OF THIS BILL. WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS AND A NATION OF MAJORITY VOTES. WE PASS BILLS IN TALLAHASSEE BY MAJORITY VOTE, WE PASS BILLS IN CONGRESS BY MAJORITY VOTE, WE PASS BILLS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY COUNCIL BY MAJORITY VOTE, WE PASS BILLS BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION ON MAJORITY VOTE. WE ARE A BODY OF LAWS. WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS WE HAD SOME LOCAL RULES THAT ESSENTIALLY ALLOWED ABSENT PEOPLE TO CONTROL THE WILL OF THE FULL BODY THAT WERE PRESENT HERE TODAY, AND ALL THE PASSAGE OF A LOCAL BILL DOES IS PUT IT INTO PLAY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT SHOULD BECOME LAW. WHAT'S HAPPENED ALL TOO FREQUENTLY IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS -- AND AS SENATOR CRIST VERY ABLY SAID IT -- IS IS THIS ABILITY TO SUPPRESS BILLS FROM BEING DISCUSSED BY SIMPLY TABLING THEM OR WITHDRAWING THEM AND EXPECTING THAT THEY'LL BE WORKED ON AND THEN NOTHING HAPPENS. THE VOTE THAT YOU MAKE TODAY SIMPLY IS YOUR VOTE THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO THIS ISSUE OF LOOKING AT THE ISSUES OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE, AND IT MAY EXPAND INTO ISSUES OF AUDITING AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT IT GOES BACK TO THE INITIAL POINT I MADE AT THE BEGINNING WHEN I INTRODUCED THESE BILLS, AND SOMETHING I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE ON AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUNSET REVIEW COMMITTEE ON A MUCH MORE GLOBAL SCALE. IF YOU GET AN IDEA HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THAT WE CANNOT EVEN DISCUSS AN ISSUE OF GOVERNANCE AND HAVE A DEMOCRATIC, OPEN PUBLIC DEBATE ABOUT THE ISSUE OF GOVERNANCE, WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO ADD ONE MORE COUNTY COMMISSION APPOINTMENT OR EVEN A COMMISSION THEMSELVES TO THE GOVERNING BOARD BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH DISTRUST THAT SOMEBODY APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION WOULDN'T REPRESENT THE INTEREST OF THE CITY AND COUNTY BOTH, I THINK THE MAYOR SAID IT VERY ABLY WHEN SHE SAID THE CITY OF TAMPA DOES THINGS THAT HELP THE GREATER GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL, NOT JUST THE CITY OF TAMPA. I THINK THE SAME COULD BE SAID OF MEMBERS THAT ARE ON THESE BOARDS THAT SERVE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY AT LARGE, THAT THEY'RE NOT THERE JUST FOR THE COUNTY TO THE EXCLUSION OF THE CITY. WE'RE NOT SEPARATE COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA AND RUSSIA. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM. WE MAY BE WEARING DIFFERENT COLORED JERSEYS AT TIME, BUT WE'RE ALL THE SAME TEAM. WE'RE HERE FOR THE COMMON GOOD. WE'VE GOT TO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE DIALOGUE, AND THIS IS A GOVERNANCE QUESTION THAT IS VERY MINOR IN SCOPE, ADDING ONE MEMBER ON SOME OF THESE BOARDS TO REFLECT POPULATION SHIFTS. I MEAN, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE THE DIALOGUE? AND SO I THINK IT'S UNFAIR FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO CAN SAY KILL IT AND VOTE AGAINST IT. ESSENTIALLY YOU'VE ENDED THE DIALOGUE WHEN ON THE OTHER HAND THEY TURN AROUND IN THE NEXT BREATH AND THEY TELL YOU HOW THEY WANT PUBLIC TO HAVE INPUT IN THE DEBATE. I HAVE COMMITTED TO THE PUBLIC, I'VE COMMITTED TO THIS DELEGATION THAT WE CAN CHAIR LOCAL MEETINGS, LOCAL WORKSHOPS, AND IF THIS IS VOTED OUT TODAY, IT PUTS IT IN PLACE SO THOSE WORKSHOPS WILL END UP TAKING PLACE SO WE CAN DISCUSS THIS ISSUE, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO COME UP IN THE END, BUT I WILL TELL YOU AND COMMIT TO YOU I'M NOT AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT IT OPENLY AND IN THE PUBLIC. SO DON'T CHALLENGE US AND TRY TO DEFEAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BY SAYING WE TRIED TO PULL SHENANIGANS ON THE RULES. THE RULE CHANGE WAS TO GIVE THE MAJORITY THAT DID SHOW UP FOR THE MEETING THEIR VOICE, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FINAL VOTE COUNT IS ON THIS BILL, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS -- BECAUSE PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR MINDS ALL THE TIME IN THIS PROCESS. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES SOMEONE SAYS I'LL VOTE YES AND VOTE NO LATER OR VICE VERSA, BUT EVERYONE HERE HAS THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE AND IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE THAT ELECTED THEM, SO ALL I ASK IS FROM THE MEMBERS TODAY TO GIVE YOUR VOTE FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THIS LOCAL BILL INTO THE PROCESS, AND I COMMIT TO EVERYBODY TO HONOR THE STATEMENT I MADE EARLIER ABOUT HAVING WORKSHOPS. I HONOR THE COMMITMENT TO SENATOR JOYNER AND TO REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO THAT WE WILL WAIT FOR THAT REPORT TO COME OUT SO WE CAN UTILIZE IT, AND IT MAY TAKE US INTO OTHER AREAS, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO GET THIS UP FOR A VOTE BECAUSE WE HAVE OTHER BUSINESS AT HAND, AND WE HAVE -- THERE IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF THE DIALOGUE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: LOCAL BILL 1 AS AMENDED. SENATOR JOYNER. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR JOYNER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO. >>BILL GALVANO: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE McKEEL. >>SETH McKEEL: [INAUDIBLE] >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: NO. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: [INAUDIBLE] >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: REPRESENTATIVE WEATHERFORD. >>WILL WEATHERFORD: YES. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: WE HAVE THE VOTE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: BY YOUR VOTE, THE BILL PASSES. AT THIS POINT, AS CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY -- WE HAVE TWO THINGS WE MUST DO, THIS AND ELECT AND ORGANIZE. WE HAVE ONE MEMBER WHO'S TERM LIMITED, AND AT THIS POINT I'D LIKE TO ASK REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN IF HE'D -- IF HE WOULD COME FORWARD SO THAT I CAN GIVE HIM THIS RESOLUTION FROM THIS DELEGATION THANKING HIM FOR ALL OF HIS SERVICE AND THE SERVICE THAT HE WILL RENDER UNTIL HIS TERM IS UP IN NOVEMBER AND TO LET YOU KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL OF ST. PETERSBURG IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE. HE'S ACHIEVED MANY SUCCESSES IN REPRESENTING SARASOTA, MANATEE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTIES, PINELLAS, AND THAT HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN CREATING THE COUNSEL ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF BLACK MEN AND BOYS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS TO MAKE AN ONGOING SYSTEMIC STUDY OF THE NEGATIVE CONDITIONS AFFECTING BLACK MEN AND BOYS AND REPORTING THOSE FINDINGS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SO, REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU CONTINUING DO THE PEOPLE'S WORK EVEN WHEN YOU LEAVE IN NOVEMBER. [APPLAUSE] OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE -- OKAY. THE HOUSE IS NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATION OF CHAIR. REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >>KEVIN AMBLER: AT THIS TIME, MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO REPRESENT MY COLLEAGUE AND MEMBER WHO I DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH BUT I AGREE TO -- I SOMETIMES WILL AGREE TO DISAGREE WITH HIM, AND THAT IS WHAT THE PROCESS IS ABOUT BECAUSE I DO RESPECT HIM AS A PERSON, AS A COLLEAGUE, AND HIS EXPERIENCE THAT HE BRINGS TO THE PROCESS, SO IT'S MY PLEASURE TO NOMINATE REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO AS THE CHAIRMAN OF OUR DELEGATION FOR THE COMING YEAR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ARE THERE FURTHER NOMINATIONS? MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR A UNANIMOUS VOTE. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO BE ELECTED UNANIMOUSLY TO BE OUR NEXT DELEGATION CHAIR. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. [CHORUS OF AYES] OPPOSED. IT'S YOURS AFTER THIS MEETING. [APPLAUSE] REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN HAS HIS HAND UP. BEFORE I CAN ASK FOR NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIR, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >>RON REAGAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. I APPRECIATE IT. CONGRATULATIONS REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. MADAM CHAIR, IT'S WITH GREAT PLEASURE, I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MY COLLEAGUE SENATOR VICTOR CRIST AS VICE CHAIR. >> SECOND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ARE THERE OTHER NOMINATIONS? HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO UNANIMOUSLY -- >> SO MOVE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THAT SENATOR CRIST BE SELECTED AS OUR VICE CHAIR. HEARING NO OTHER NOMINATIONS AND HEARING THAT UNANIMITY IN THAT MOTION, IT'S SO ORDERED THAT YOU ARE OUR NEW VICE CHAIR. THANK YOU, SENATOR CRIST. [APPLAUSE] >>RICH GLORIOSO: [INAUDIBLE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. NOW WE ARE GOING TO RESORT TO PAGE 1 OF THE SPEAKERS' PAGE, AND IS MARY LYNN ULREY HERE FROM DACCO? YOU'RE FIRST ON DECK, AND SECOND IS DICK WOLTMANN FROM BAY AREA LEGAL SERVICES IF HE'S HERE, AND THEN MARY ALICE HENDRICKS, CLINTON MUELLER, AND EDGAR BERGMAN. COULD WE -- THOSE -- THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS THAT MUST LEAVE, BUT THE PEOPLE ON APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES ARE GOING TO STAY, REPRESENTATIVE. OH, HE'LL GET IT AS HIS DESK, MARY LYNN. >> OKAY. READY. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY, AND THANK YOU FOR STILL BEING HERE. I'M -- I'M PARTNERING WITH DACCO TO WORK ON CRIMES AGAINST OUR FAMILIES. THAT WOULD BE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND OTHER ISSUES THAT TEAR UP FAMILIES HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. SUBSTANCE ABUSERS DO DO THAT WHEN THEY'RE NOT TREATED, AND SO I'M HOPING THAT YOU-ALL WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. WE'VE ACTUALLY LOST ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING THIS PAST YEAR WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT YOU JUST COMPLETED. WE LOST 450,000 IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FUNDING. WE ALSO LOST 400,000 IN CHILDREN'S SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES. AND WE LOST 100,000 HERE WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO SERVICES IN DACCO, WHICH TOTALS ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN SERVICES. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS AN INCREASE IN THE JAILS OF PEOPLE THAT CAN'T BE SERVED, SO I WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE OF THAT. THE $650,000 THAT YOU-ALL PROVIDED THIS PAST YEAR IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICE SPENDING FOR FELONS IS THE FIFTH YEAR WE'VE ASKED FOR IT. YOU'VE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT IT, AND I THANK THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE SPONSORING IT AGAIN THIS YEAR. THE SECOND THING THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS A RESTATEMENT OF THE $300,000 FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE BRANDON OR EAST COUNTY AREA, AND THAT'S CALLED "PARENTING WISELY IN CHOICES," AND I PROBABLY DIDN'T NAME IT VERY WELL, BUT I THINK IT WAS SOMETHING YOU'VE SPONSORED BEFORE, AND IT'S GOTTEN THROUGH, AND I REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN REDO THAT AS FUNDING CONTINUES TO SLIP. IT ALSO IS IN THE RED BOOK FOR THE DELEGATION THAT THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CHILDREN'S BOARD PUT TOGETHER AND THE COUNTY CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT, SO IT IS A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY CITIZENS. THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAD TO SAY. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU FOR AN OUTSTANDING JOB THAT YOU DO EVERY YEAR. >>VICTOR CRIST: MADAM CHAIR, JUST FOR AN EXTRA POINT OF -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: I WOULD ALSO -- IN SERVING IN THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE AND THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS FOR MANY YEARS, I'VE HAD TO WORK WITH A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS, AND I MUST SAY YOURS IS ONE OF THE BEST RUN AS WELL. YOU'RE GOOD STEWARDS WITH YOUR RESOURCES. YOU'VE HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. I REMEMBER MY FIRST TOUR 15 YEARS AGO, I BELIEVE IT WAS WITH JUDGE EVANS. >> IT WAS. >>VICTOR CRIST: YOU'VE GROWN QUITE A BIT, BUT YOU PROVIDE A TREMENDOUS SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND YOU'RE ONE OF THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THIS PROCESS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND FOR WHAT YOU-ALL DO TO PARTNER WITH US. APPRECIATE IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. CLINTON MUELLER. OH, DICK WOLTMANN. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD. I MEAN, I KNOW YOU REAL WELL BECAUSE BAY AREA SERVES A VALUABLE -- DOES A VALUABLE SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD LAWYERS. YOU'RE ON. >> I'M HERE TO REQUEST THE SUPPORT OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION FOR $200,000 TO SUPPORT THE STATEWIDE ELDER SENIOR -- THE STATEWIDE FREE SENIOR LEGAL HELP LINE THAT WE OPERATE. YOU DID SUPPORT THIS LAST YEAR, AND WE APPRECIATED IT. RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA, INCLUDING LOCAL RESIDENTS, CALL THE HELP LINE, WHICH PROVIDES A CONVENIENT POINT OF ACCESS FOR ELDERLY FLORIDIANS WHO NEED LEGAL ADVICE, BE IT SERVICES AND REFERRALS, FOR MORE EXTENSIVE REPRESENTATION. THE DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS RECEIVED A THREE-YEAR U.S. ADMINISTRATION ON AGING GRANT TO IMPROVE THE INTEGRATION OF LEGAL SERVICES IN FLORIDA. THEY'RE FUNDING THAT HELP LINE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OUR DEMONSTRATION GRANT RAN OUT; HOWEVER, WE NEED PERMANENT FUNDING FOR THE SERVICE. I'D JUST POINT OUT THAT THE AVERAGE WAIT TIME FOR A SENIOR WHO CALLED OUR HELP LINE IN 2007 WAS 37 SECONDS. WE'VE TALKED WITH 4,588 SENIORS SO FAR. SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS INCLUDE DEALING WITH DEBT, OFTEN CAUSED BY MEDICAL BILLS, DEALING WITH POTENTIAL LOSS OF THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF SOME UNWISE MORTGAGES, AND QUESTIONS DEALING WITH MOBILE PARK RESIDENCY, SO WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT US AND SUPPORT THAT BILL LAST YEAR AS YOU DID -- THIS YEAR AS YOU DID LAST YEAR. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. WOLTMANN. CLINTON MUELLER FROM THE FLORIDA COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION. >> DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK. THANK YOU FORM YOUR SERVICE, AND ACTUALLY, THANK YOU TO EACH OF THE STAFF MEMBERS WHO I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY AS WELL TO GET TO KNOW OVER THE PHONE. I COME ON BEHALF OF ACTUALLY THE FLORIDA COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION AND OVER 250,000 STUDENTS WE REACH EVERY YEAR STATEWIDE. OVER 10,000 CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. AND SENATOR VICTOR CRIST WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY HELP SPONSOR THIS BILL GOING THROUGH, AND WE'LL BE LOOKING FOR ACTUALLY OTHER SPONSORS ON BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE SIDE TO PARTNER WITH HIM. THIS IS NOT A REPUBLICAN ISSUE, THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC ISSUE, THIS IS A MORAL ISSUE IN OUR STATE. WE HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING BORN TODAY THAT BY THE TIME THEY HIT THE WORKFORCE, THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE RETIRED THAN THERE WILL BE WORKING. WE HAVE MORE CHILDREN THAT ARE BORN TODAY THAT BY THE TIME THEY ENTER THE WORKFORCE, BUT THE TIME THEY RETIRE, THEY WON'T HAVE SOCIAL SECURITY. WE HAVE TO MAKE ECONOMIC EDUCATION A PRIORITY IN OUR STATE. WE SUBMITTED A REQUEST THIS YEAR, AS WE HAVE FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, FOR $500,000. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DOE AND ALSO UNDER SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS. SOME OF YOU MAY NOT A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE. THE STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE IS JUST ONE WHICH WE UTILIZE STATEWIDE, WHICH HELPS TEACH INVESTMENT FOR STUDENTS. WE ALSO TEACH FINANCIAL LITERACY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THIS IS SOMETHING -- PARTICULARLY RIGHT NOW IN OUR STATE IN LIGHT OF OUR CURRENT PROBLEM AND WHY WE'RE HAVING TO CUT BUDGETS BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT PEOPLE GOT INTO HOMES THAT THEY COULD NOT AFFORD -- THIS IS A PROACTIVE MANNER TO TAKE ACTION TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE -- WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A SERVICE AT A FRACTION OF WHAT THE COST WOULD BE FOR MANY OTHER OUTSIDE INDIVIDUALS. WE ARE ABLE TO INTEGRATE THESE PROGRAMS K-12 INTO THE SCHOOLS, AND WE ALSO TRAIN TEACHERS, AND AS PART OF THAT $500,000 APPROPRIATION, A CERTAIN AMOUNT WILL ALSO GO TOWARDS THE USF STAVROS INSTITUTE RIGHT HERE IN TAMPA TO ACTUALLY HELP TRAIN TEACHERS. ONLY 10% OF THE TEACHERS STATEWIDE RIGHT NOW ARE QUALIFIED TO TEACH ECONOMICS. THAT'S A PROBLEM. AND THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN OUR STATE, WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON, THAT'S A PROBLEM. AND WITH YOUR HELP, EACH AND EVERY LEGISLATOR HERE, I'M ASKING YOU GUYS TWO THINGS. TO HELP US SUPPORT THIS GOING THROUGH AND ALSO, IF YOU CAN, TO PLEASE WRITE THE GOVERNOR AND ASK HIM TO PUT THIS ON HIS GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. ANY QUESTIONS? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I DON'T BELIEVE SO, CLINTON. REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE A QUESTION. YOU SAID 10% OF THE TEACHERS TEACHING ECONOMICS WERE NOT QUALIFIED? WHAT WAS THAT STATEMENT AGAIN? >> THEY DON'T HAVE THE CREDENTIALS IN TERMS OF -- WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING TYPICALLY WHEN SOMEONE GOES INTO BASICALLY TEACHING ECONOMICS, IT'S PART OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM, AND JUST BY CHANCE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN THEY GO IN, MOST OF THEM ARE HISTORY TEACHERS OR OTHER TEACHERS, AND THEY JUST HAPPEN TO JUST BY PROXY GET STUCK INTO ECONOMICS, AND SO WE HELP GIVE THEM THE TOOLS, WE HELP GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THROUGH BASICALLY EACH OF THESE CENTERS THAT WE HAVE STATEWIDE, WE HAVE ONE AT FSU, USF, FAU, MIAMI-DADE COMMUNITY, UCF. THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THEY'RE ACTUALLY ON THE CAMPUSES WITH PH.Ds WHO ACTUALLY HELP CONDUCT THE CURRICULUM MATERIAL TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TEACHERS HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS WHEN THEY COME FROM AN OUTSIDE-OF- THE-CURRICULUM TYPE OF EXPERIENCE TO TEACH THAT CLASS. WE GIVE THEM THE TRAINING THAT WAY AND ALSO PROVIDE THEM PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM WHICH ALLOW THEM TO BASICALLY HAVE THOSE TOOLS AND ALSO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE MOVING FORWARD. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? >>FAYE CULP: MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: BUT YOUR COMMENT WAS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT 10% -- >> YES, MA'AM. >>FAYE CULP: -- OF THOSE TEACHING ECONOMICS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO ARE QUALIFIED? I JUST AM VERY SURPRISED AT THAT PARTICULAR NUMBER AND WONDERED WHERE YOU GOT THAT NUMBER. >> THAT STATISTIC CAME FROM -- WE HAD AN E-3 SURVEY THAT WAS ACTUALLY DONE A FEW YEARS AGO WHICH ACTUALLY HELPED DETAIL THAT ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL. I CAN ACTUALLY PROVIDE YOU DIRECTLY THAT MATERIAL AS WELL. SO THAT ACTUALLY ENDS UP -- JUST BASICALLY, WHAT THEY DID IS THEY JUST SURVEYED A LOT OF TEACHERS THAT WERE TEACHING ECONOMICS ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL ON THEIR BASIC UNDERSTANDING GOING INTO IT AND ALSO BASED OFF OF EACH OF OUR EDUCATIONAL CENTERS WHO HAVE PH.D.s IN THE UNIVERSITIES, WHAT THEIR BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF A LOT OF TEACHERS COMING THROUGH WAS. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHERS? THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: [INAUDIBLE] WHO'S NEXT? OH, MR. EDGAR BERGMAN FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION. REVEREND WILLIE DIXON FROM COACH FOUNDATION. WE'RE GOING TO -- WE HAVE ABOUT 60 PEOPLE ON THE LIST, SO - - NO. I'M GOING TO CHANGE IT AFTER. GO AHEAD. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> GOOD EVENING TO EACH OF YOU, AND I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR COMING BEFORE YOU. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? ONCE AGAIN, I'LL SAY GOOD EVENING, AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND PRESENT A PROGRAM THAT WOULD HELP TO SAVE HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS. WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT'S NOT ONLY A REENTRY PROGRAM BACK INTO SOCIETY, BUT IT IS A SURVIVAL TYPE OF PROGRAM BECAUSE MANY INMATES GET OUT AND THEY DON'T SURVIVE ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED FROM THE INSTITUTION. AND REALLY, I CAN SPEAK FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. AS I GO INTO THE PRISONS, I USUALLY TELL THE INMATES THAT I AM A 8015536. THAT MEANS THAT I WAS IN THE SYSTEM AT ONE TIME, AND I WAS RELEASED BACK ON NOVEMBER 20th, 1979. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK INTO ZEPHYRHILLS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND TEACH A CLASS ON EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS, AND I GO IN AS A ROLE MODEL TO SHOW THAT PEOPLE CAN CHANGE AND WILL CHANGE, JUST NEED SOMEONE TO TEACH THEM WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT. AND THIS IS WHAT WE ANTICIPATE DOING WITH OUR PROGRAM. SO I DO WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK SENATOR VICTOR CRIST AND REPRESENTATIVE REED FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE IT COSTS APPROXIMATELY $20,000 TO KEEP A PRISONER INCARCERATED, BUT THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, IT WILL ONLY COST ABOUT $2,000. THAT'S A SAVINGS OF OVER 80%. SO, THEREFORE, MYSELF, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAVE THE TAXPAYERS SINCE MY RELEASE OVER $500,000, AND AS A REAL ESTATE PERSON, I GOT MY RIGHTS BACK, AND I HAVE PUT OVER $34 MILLION BACK INTO THE ECONOMY. SO I'M ABLE TO DO IT, AND I HAVE A BOOK THAT'S COMING OUT, "IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT." THIS WILL A PART OF THIS PROGRAM. I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, BUT I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE, AND AT THE AGE OF 76, I HAVE A YOUNG MAN THAT I'M TUTORING, SO WHEN I DIE, HE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP THIS PROGRAM GOING ON. WE WANT THIS PROGRAM TO BE USED IN EVERY COUNTY WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND OVER THE UNITED STATES. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WAS NUMBER ONE LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE ANNUAL REPORT. THIS YEAR WE ARE NUMBER TWO. WE ARE NUMBER TWO, AND THERE ARE 90,000 INMATES WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AT A COST OF OVER $2 BILLION, AND THIS PROGRAM WILL SHOW INMATES HOW TO MAKE IT. IF I CAN MAKE IT -- I HAVE NOT USED DRUGS SINCE JUNE 1975, AND I'VE BEEN GOING IN AND OUT OF THE PRISONS SINCE 1979, SO, THEREFORE, IF I CAN DO IT, I WILL SHOW THEM THE TECHNIQUES THAT I USED, AND I GOT MY -- I GOT A FULL PARDON, I GOT MY TEACHERS CERTIFICATE RESTORED, AND I VOTE. SO -- AND I WANT ALL OF YOU TO KNOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO MAKE IT, BUT WE WILL HELP THOSE THAT WANT TO HELP THEMSELVES. I TEACH A WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY CLASS AT ZEPHYRHILLS. I'VE BEEN GOING IN AND OUT OF THE PRISONS SINCE 1979, SO, THEREFORE, I WILL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS, AND THIS IS THE PERSON THAT WILL CARRY ON AFTER I LEAVE, AND HE WILL BE WORKING WITH ME, AND HE IS A EX-OFFENDER, AND HE HAD A PROGRAM THAT HE RAN IN COLORADO. IF THEY DID IT IN COLORADO, WE CAN DO IT IN FLORIDA. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, REVEREND DIXON. YES, REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: [INAUDIBLE] DO YOU HAVE A PROGRAM YOU'RE WORKING WITH NOW, OR IS THIS IS A NEW PROGRAM YOU'RE TRYING TO START? >> NOW I CAN SLOW DOWN. MY THREE MINUTES -- I CAN TAKE MY TIME NOW. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO, NO, NO, YOU CAN'T. [LAUGHTER] WE'RE TIMING RESPONSES ALSO AND THAT'S A MINUTE. >> ALL RIGHT. MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS YES, BUT WHAT I DID, I'VE BEEN USING THIS PROGRAM IN A MINUTE WAY. I WENT BACK TO THE OLD THEORY. MANY OF YOU REMEMBER PHILLIP MORRIS CIGARETTES. IT SAYS, AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE. I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH CHILDREN DOING AN AFTERSCHOOL TUTORIAL PROGRAM, BUT NOW I'M GOING BACK TO MY FIRST LOVE, WHICH IS WORKING WITH EX-OFFENDERS AND SHOW THEM HOW TO SURVIVE AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS, BUT I DO THAT EVERYWHERE I GO, SO I AM DOING THE PROGRAM NOW, BUT I'M DOING IT OUT OF MY SOCIAL SECURITY AND OUT OF MY MONEY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. I MEAN, THAT IS COMMENDABLE THAT YOU'RE EXPENDING YOUR OWN FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM. WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US TO WORK WITH EX- OFFENDERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. KARL GUENTHER FROM THE SKY TRAIN CORPORATION. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MADAM CHAIR, HILLSBOROUGH DELEGATION MEMBERS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. LIKE MOST OF YOU, I HAVE PARTICIPATED SINCE 1996 IN COMMITTEES LOOKING FOR THE KEYS PERSONALLY TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION. THE REGIONAL LINES OF PAPER HAVE NOT CHANGED DRAMATICALLY SINCE THE EARLY RAILROADS OF THE PAST, IT SEEMS; HOWEVER, THE MISSION OF SKY TRAIN KEEPS EXPANDING BY DECREASING COST WITH INCREASED EFFICIENCY, NOW ALSO INCLUDING SAFETY AND PORT SECURITY WHICH COULD MAKE A PROFIT. THIS YEAR WE PRESENT CHOICES IN AVAILABLE FUNDS. WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A 2.5-MILLION ENERGY GRANT. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE THE FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, FLORIDA ATLANTIC, AND UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS AND LISTED STAFF SEE THIS BAY AREA PRODUCT WITH NEW CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENERGY CONSERVATION AND COST REDUCTION IN TRANSPORTATION. IT IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEB. WE ASK YOU TO PERUSE THE 2.5-MILLION GRANT AND GIVE IT WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT. THE TOTAL FUNDS PART OF 12.5 MILLION IN TALLAHASSEE ARE TO BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE FLORIDA ENERGY OFFICE BY JANUARY. WE ASK FOR YOUR FOCUS ON GAINING THIS MONEY FOR THE BAY AREA. WE HAVE REDUCED THE CBR REQUEST OF TWO MILLION TO 40% OR 800,000 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DESIGN, VENDOR SELECTION, AND COSTING. THE PAYOUT FOR YOUR EFFORTS WILL ALLOW SHOWING THE PUBLIC THAT SOMETHING REAL CAN BEGIN TO OPERATE IN THREE TO FIVE YEARS, NOT TEN TO 20, AND BE EXPANDED AT THE LOCATIONS WITH THE GREATEST PROMISE. GROWTH ALSO CONTINUES AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY WITH BIDS ON A NEW HOTEL, HAS LOGGED OVER A MILLION VISITORS, AND THEIR PRESIDENT, WIT OSTRENKO, HAS COMPLETED HIS FIRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE MUSEUMS. MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT SKY TRAIN SYSTEM'S MODELS AND PATENT HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN PART BY FLORIDA'S TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY STILL ASSISTING. THEY HELPED GAIN A NASA DESIGN PROJECT. WE INVITE YOU OR STAFF TO DISCUSS THE SYSTEM OR BAY AREA TRANSPORTATION. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL GET ON TRACK TO, AS WAS SAID THIS MORNING'S PRAYER, LIBERATE THIS REGION, DISPLAY FOR MOSI AND THE BAY AREA. WE AT MOSI AND SKY TRAIN THANK YOU AND ESPECIALLY SPONSORS, SENATOR VICTOR CRIST AND REPRESENTATIVE ED HOMAN, AND HOPE FOR YOUR ACTIVE SUPPORT BY INFORMING DIRECTOR JEREMY SUSAC OF THE FLORIDA ENERGY OFFICE OF OUR STATE NEEDS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. I CAN! COMMUNITY EDUCATION COALITION. MICHELLE TATE-MARTIN. AND AFTER HER WILL BE MR. JAMES RANDOLPH AND THEN MR. JULIAN RICE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. I AM MICHELLE TATE-MARTIN, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF I CAN! COMMUNITY EDUCATION COALITION. IT IS A NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION. I CAN! WAS STARTED IN 2002 IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, AND IT REPRESENTS A PHENOMENAL GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOUR CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE TRULY DISTURBED BY THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, AND 1700 THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR, WHO HAVE DROPPED OUT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS. WE ARE ALSO DISTURBED BY THE NUMBER OF ADULTS, ONE OUT OF FOUR IN THE LAST NATIONAL LITERACY SURVEY, WHO CANNOT READ ABOVE THE FIFTH-GRADE LEVEL. AND I WANT TO REPEAT THAT, CANNOT READ ABOVE THE FIFTH- GRADE LEVEL. SO I CAN! WAS STARTED WITH JUST A HUNDRED DOLLARS BACK IN 2002. WE HAVE GROWN. WE HAVE A PHENOMENAL GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, STUDENTS WHO RANGE IN AGE OF 16 TO 70 YEARS OLD. OUR UNDERAGE GED PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED SINCE 2004 WITH THE PARTNERSHIP WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS. WE NOW WANT TO CONVERT THIS PROGRAM FOR 16- TO 22-YEAR-OLDS TO A NONPROFIT PRIVATE SCHOOL. WE WANT TO HAVE THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION JOIN US IN THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WHO FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT WE HAVE OVER 1700 STUDENTS WHO HAVE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT EVERY NINE SECONDS IN AMERICA A STUDENT DROPS OUT. IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT WE HAVE SO MANY OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE READING AT FIRST-, SECOND-, THIRD-GRADE LEVELS. I CAN! HAS BEEN PROVIDING LITERACY, BASIC EDUCATION, GED PREPARATION SINCE 2003. THIS PRIVATE EDUCATION CENTER WILL ALLOW US TO USE THE JOHN McKAY SCHOLARSHIP, IT WILL ALLOW US TO USE THE FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP A NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO ARE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO NEED THE ONE-ON-ONE, WHO NEED TUTORS, WHO NEED LOVING, CARING RETIREES WHO ARE PART OF OUR ORGANIZATION TO HELP THEM TO MOVE BEYOND BEING LABELED A HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT. SO I AM EXCITED TO COME UP HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE I AM A FORMER LEGISLATIVE AIDE BACK IN THE 1980s. I'M ALSO A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DURING THE BETTY CASTOR ADMINISTRATION, AND I'M ALSO A GRADUATE OF FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY WHERE I HAVE MY MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION AND IN JOURNALISM, SO THIS IS CERTAINLY A LABOR OF LOVE FOR ME, BUT I AM JUST AS DISTURBED AS ALL OF THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT FOR I CAN! AND THEY WISHED THEY COULD BE HERE. THE STUDENTS SAID, MS. MICHELLE, CAN I COME AND TALK? I SAID, NO, BABY, I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN FOR YOU TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE NEED THEIR HELP. WE'RE ASKING FOR $100,000 FROM THE LEGISLATURE, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. ANY QUESTIONS? AND I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK REPRESENTATIVE REED WHO'S VISITED OUR PROGRAM AND WAS THERE FOR THE GOVERNOR'S POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD, AND RONDA STORMS WHO SENT THE LETTER FOR MR. CHANNER, WHO WON THAT AWARD THIS YEAR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: [INAUDIBLE] >> SO I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THAT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. TATE-MARTIN, AND DO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE LIMITED FUNDS THIS YEAR, SO WE'LL DO THE VERY BEST WE CAN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. RANDOLPH. MR. JASON MIMS WILL BE SPEAKING INSTEAD OF JAMES RANDOLPH, WHO COULDN'T MAKE IT. GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE HILLSBOROUGH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. THIS IS REALLY ABOUT THE FIRST TIME THAT I'VE BEEN BACK TO ADDRESS THE BODY -- >> >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YOU'VE GOT TWO MINUTES NOW. >> SINCE -- AND I'LL MAKE IT -- YES, MA'AM -- SINCE I RECEIVED THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAVORITE SONS AND DAUGHTERS AWARD FIVE YEARS AGO, AND SENATOR STORMS WAS A MEMBER OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION AT THE TIME. BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL ROUNDTABLE THAT MR. JAMES RANDOLPH IS CHAIR IS REQUESTING OUR STATE DELEGATION TO PROVIDE $100,000 THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR FOR US TO ESTABLISH GUIDES, 25 GUIDES EACH, IN TWO KEY URBAN ZIP CODES, ZIP CODES 33610 IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND ZIP CODE 33705 IN PINELLAS COUNTY. OUR TWO SPONSORS THAT HAVE AGREED TO TAKE THIS FORWARD ARE REPRESENTATIVE BETTY REED AND SENATOR CHARLIE JUSTICE, WHOM I APPRECIATE BOTH OF THEIR SUPPORT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THESE URBAN ZIP CODES. WHAT WE EXPECT TO HAVE HAPPEN IS THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE GUIDES AND GUIDANCE FROM WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY WHO CAN GUIDE THEM TOWARDS HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES WHILE THEY'RE EIGHTH GRADERS AND COLLEGE-LEVEL CLASSES WHILE THEY'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL. THE STATE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES AMPLE FUNDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION. A LARGE PORTION OF THAT FUNDING IS IN THE RIGOROUS ACADEMIC CLASSES LIKE ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES, ET CETERA. WHAT WE'RE SEEKING TO DO IS HAVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE IN THESE TWO URBAN ZIP CODES ACCESS THOSE RIGOROUS CLASSES, AND BY HAVING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BEING THE GUIDES FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO FOLLOW THEM THROUGH AS THEY GO THROUGH SEVENTH GRADE, MAKE SURE THEY SIGN UP FOR ALGEBRA II, ALGEBRA I, AND AS THEY GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, THEY'RE TAKING AP CLASSES AS FRESHMAN, WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS RIGHT NOW, AND TRACK THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS. OUR INTENT IS IF WE DO THIS IN TWO ZIP CODES THE FIRST YEAR, WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND THIS PILOT PROGRAM TO VARIOUS OTHER ZIP CODES WHERE THERE ARE HIGH INCIDENTS OF JUVENILE REFERRALS IN THE SYSTEM, AND THESE ARE -- WE PICKED THESE TWO BECAUSE THESE ARE THE TWO HIGHEST IN OUR AREA IN TERMS OF JUVENILE OFFENSES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT LATER, AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. MIMS. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MR. JULIAN RICE. YOUR NAME, PLEASE. >> HELLO THERE. KIM O'BRIEN. FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO SAY GOOD AFTERNOON, AND I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR DEDICATION, AND MOST OF ALL YOUR ENERGY. I'VE BEEN WITNESS TO THAT FOR THE LAST FIVE HOURS, AND I DO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. [LAUGHTER] MY NAME IS KIM O'BRIEN, AND I'M FILLING IN FOR JULIAN RICE. I'M THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS SERVING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT ONE PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY, AND THAT IS THE FAMILY EMERGENCY TREATMENT CENTER, FETC, AND I AM A CFO, AND I LOVE NUMBERS AND I LOVE STATISTICS, BUT I THOUGHT I WOULDN'T BORE YOU WITH THE DETAILS AND I'D JUST JUMP RIGHT INTO A STORY, IF I COULD. A POINTED INCIDENT THAT RECENTLY OCCURRED, AND THIS IS OF A LITTLE GIRL THAT WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, AND I'LL CALL HER MARY, AND MARY WAS HEARING VOICES IN HER HEAD, VOICES THAT WERE TELLING HER TO KILL HER MOTHER. HER LEFT HAND WAS SPEAKING WITH HER, TELLING HER THAT SHE COULD OF SHOULD GO TO PUBLIX, PURCHASE A KNIFE, AND SLICE UP HER MOTHER. HER MOTHER DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. SHE BROUGHT HER TO THE FAMILY EMERGENCY TREATMENT CENTER, FETC. IT WAS OPEN IN THE EVENING HOURS, SO HER MOTHER TOOK HER THERE. THE FETC PROFESSIONALS GAVE HER AN ASSESSMENT, GAVE A SAFETY PLAN FOR THE FAMILY, MEDICATIONS, AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO HER, AND RIGHT NOW MARY'S GOING TO DO JUST FINE. WHAT IS FETC? WELL, FETC IS SIMILAR TO DOCTOR'S WALK-IN CLINIC. IT'S AN OUTPATIENT FACILITY WHERE MENTAL CRISES PEOPLE CAN COME FOR HELP. WE'RE OPEN UNTIL THE EVENING HOURS. WE ALSO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING. THE FETC PROFESSIONALS WILL ACTUALLY WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TELL THEM HOW TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS. IT'S VITAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF FETC IS THAT IT'S A PLACE -- IT'S THE ONLY UNIT OF ITS KIND IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT ALLOWS THE JAILS NOT TO BE OVERCROWDED FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN BRING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS TO THE FETC -- I DON'T HAVE A CELL PHONE ON ME. THERE WE GO. [LAUGHTER] DON'T DOCK ME FOR TIME. IT ALLOWS THEM TO GO TO THE FETC TO RETAIN THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED AND NOT GO INTO THE JAIL SYSTEM. ONE OTHER ITEM THAT I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IS CENTRAL INTAKE. CENTRAL INTAKE IS WHERE YOU GO BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE INPATIENT SIDE, AND WE'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND THAT. IT'S ONLY 100 SQUARE FEET RIGHT NOW -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. >> -- FOR 5200 PEOPLE YEARLY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN, YOU HAVE A QUESTION? >>RON REAGAN: YES. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. IN YOUR FACILITY, ARE YOU -- YOU'RE DOING MARCHMAN ACT AS WELL AS OTHER TREATMENT? DO YOU HAVE INPATIENT FACILITIES? >> WE DO. WE ARE THE ONLY -- WE ARE THE ONLY AGENCY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT HAS 14 BEDS FOR THE CHILDREN'S UNIT, AND WE ALSO ARE A 90-BED UNIT FACILITY WITH BAKER ACT, SO WE OFFER BOTH, BUT THIS IS AN OUTPATIENT FACILITY. IT'S FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CRISES. >>RON REAGAN: THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NOW WE'LL HAVE JENNEFER CASTELLANO FROM THE OPHELIA PROJECT FOLLOWED BY RICHARD LILLISTON FROM HARC, AND THEN JULIAN GARCIA. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JENNEFER CASTELLANO, AND I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT TODAY. I'D ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR VICE PRESIDENT OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MRS. SUSAN PELLABAY. SHE JOINS ME TODAY BACK THERE. I SERVE AS THE BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE OPHELIA PROJECT IN THE BOYS INITIATIVE OF TAMPA BAY. I HOPE SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD OF OUR ORGANIZATION, BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T, WE ARE A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT IDENTIFIES AND MEETS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF GIRLS AND THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF BOYS. AS GIRLS GROW UP, GO THROUGH PUBERTY, AND BECOME YOUNG WOMEN, THEY DEAL WITH SOME PRETTY DIFFICULT THINGS. BODY IMAGE ISSUES, LOSS OF SELF-ESTEEM, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH OF WHAT THEY SEE ON TV AND IN THE MOVIES IS THE RIGHT WAY FOR GIRLS TO BE. BOYS DEAL WITH SOME TOUGH ISSUES AS WELL IN TRYING TO BECOME UPSTANDING MEN. BOYS ARE NOT DOING AS WELL AS GIRLS IN SCHOOL. THEY'RE ENGAGED IN MORE VIOLENCE, AND SADLY, THEY OFTEN LACK MALE ROLE MODELS. WE ARE AN OUTREACH ORGANIZATION, AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE GO OUT TO OTHER SITES, SCHOOLS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE; COMMUNITY CENTERS; PARKS AND REC SITES; SHELTERS; GROUP HOMES AND ENRICH WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY DOING. KIDS NEED GOOD SCHOOLS. THEY NEED A SAFE PLACE TO GO AFTER SCHOOL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY NEED SECURITY, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT THEM. WE HELP THEM BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PEERS, FAMILIES, AND ADULT MENTORS THROUGH OUR PROGRAMMING. OUR PROGRAMS ARE VERY INTENSIVE, MEETING FOR AT LEAST EIGHT SESSIONS AND OFTEN FOR A COMPLETE YEAR. YOUTH IN OUR PROGRAMS HAVE A PLACE TO FIGURE OUT WHO THEY ARE, DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, DEVELOP LEADERSHIP, AND PRACTICE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. OUR EVALUATIONS SHOW THAT YOUTH BOTH ENJOY AND BENEFIT FROM WHAT WE DO, WHICH IS VERY UNIQUE. WE HAVE A MATCH FROM THE TRIAD FOUNDATION FOR THE SUPPORT YOU CAN PROVIDE US. WE WILL LEVERAGE THAT MONEY TO PROVIDE MORE PROGRAMS IN MORE AREAS OF THE COUNTY. WE HAVE AN ONGOING WAIT LIST OF ABOUT SIX MONTHS, AND WE WOULD LOVE TO CUT THAT WAIT TIME TO ZERO. WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN CREATE STRONG YOUNG WOMEN AND UPSTANDING YOUNG MEN, ALL OF WHOM WILL BECOME BETTER CITIZENS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SENATOR CRIST AND REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO FOR GRACIOUSLY SPONSORING OUR REQUEST, AND IN AN EFFORT TO BE COURTEOUS TO THE REST OF YOUR TIME, I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH THE REST OF YOU AT A LATER DATE TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: RICHARD LILLISTON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, HILLSBOROUGH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS RICHARD LILLISTON. I AM THE CEO OF THE HILLSBOROUGH ACHIEVEMENT AND RESOURCE CENTERS, FORMERLY THE HILLSBOROUGH ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS. I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO HELP US TO SUPPORT A PROGRAM CALLED HOME LINK, WHICH SUPPORTS TWO CLIENT GROUPS, ONE IS PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THE OTHER IS SENIOR CITIZENS. WE TRAIN PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK OF NURSING HOME PLACEMENT TO STAY IN THEIR OWN HOMES, AND AS A RESULT SAVE ABOUT 90% OF WHAT IT WOULD COST FOR NURSING HOME CARE BY KEEPING THEM IN THEIR HOMES. AT THE SAME TIME, WE TRAIN CLIENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN THE AREAS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND AGING. THEY CAN MOVE ON INTO OTHER JOBS IN NURSING HOMES AND CONTINUE THEIR CAREERS AND BECOME TAXPAYING CITIZENS. AND THAT'S IT IN A NUTSHELL, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND RONDA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. GARCIA. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION. I'D LIKE TO THANK CANDACE HUNDLEY FOR HELPING US GET ON THE AGENDA AT THE 11th HOUR, BUT BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE'S TWO SMALL ERRORS ON THE AGENDA. ONE IS WE'RE ASKING FOR $500,000 FOR OUR POSITIVE SPIN PROGRAM AND NOT $100 MILLION. ALTHOUGH WE COULD -- I THINK WE COULD USE IT, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO BE GREEDY. AND THE OTHER I CONSIDER VERY IMPORTANT MYSELF IS THAT I AM NOT THE CEO OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. AND NOW I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE DR. WILLIAM ROWE, DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AT USF TO TALK ABOUT OUR PRODIGY PROGRAM, AND THEN TIME PERMITTING, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT OUR POSITIVE SPIN PROGRAM, OUR SCHOOL-AGE CHILD-CARE PROGRAM, OUR TEAM EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM, AND OUR ANTICRIME PROGRAM, BUT WE MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME. >> THANK YOU, JULIAN. CEO JULIAN. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU, SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, FOR THIS TIME TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY PROJECT. PROJECT PRODIGY IS AN INNOVATIVE CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK YOUTH AND YOUTH WHO HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE SERVE 19 SITES IN EIGHT COUNTIES, AND THE MAJORITY OF THOSE SITES ARE IN HILLSBOROUGH. THEY INCLUDE EAST TAMPA, WHICH IS THE CDC OF TAMPA; YBOR CITY; PLANT CITY; TOWN 'N COUNTRY; BRANDON; AND THE UNIVERSITY CENTER AT -- NEAR THE UNIVERSITY. DOES IT WORK IS THE FIRST QUESTION? THE ANSWER IS YES. WE HAVE A 90% NONRECIDIVISM RATE OVER THE FIVE YEARS THE PROJECT HAS BEEN IN PLACE. THIS IS WELL BEYOND THE EXPECTATION OF THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS. IS IT COST-EFFECTIVE? THE ANSWER IS YES. I BELIEVE REVEREND DIXON TALKED ABOUT $20,000 PER PERSON IN THE ADULT SYSTEM. WELL, IN FACT, A CHILD WHO GOES INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, ABOUT $80,000 A YEAR IS SPENT TO SERVICE THAT CHILD. WE DO IT FOR ABOUT $500 PER CHILD. AND THE OTHER QUESTION IS IS IT EXEMPLARY? WELL, ONCE AGAIN, I BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS YES. WE HAVE DISCOVERED THROUGH THE RIGOROUS RESEARCH THAT WE'RE DOING ON THIS PROGRAM THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE GETTING NONRECIDIVISM RATES, BUT WE'RE IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH SCORES FOR MANY OF THE CHILDREN WHO TAKE THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, THIS SPRING WE WERE ASKED TO PRESENT PRODIGY TO A GROUP OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENTISTS IN LONDON, ENGLAND, WHO CONSIDERED IT AN EXEMPLARY PRACTICE. LAST MONTH, THE FIRST NATIONAL ARTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE WAS HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, AND THEY WERE SO IMPRESSED BY PRODIGY THAT THEY WANT TO HOLD THEIR NEXT CONVENTION HERE IN TAMPA. NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THIS DELEGATION IN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT AND THE VISION OF SENATOR VICTOR CRIST. AND ONE MORE THING, I'D LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF YOU TO THE PRODIGY SHOWCASE TOMORROW WHERE OVER 500 CHILDREN WILL BE SHOWING THEIR WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY CENTER. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BRANDON WAGNER FROM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. BRANDON WAGNER, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. WANTED TO BRING TO YOU A FEW COMMUNITY BUDGET REQUESTS THAT THE COUNTY IS SEEKING. THE FIRST THREE WERE BROUGHT TO US TO PROVIDE SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DRAINAGE OUT IN EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. THERE'S SOME SEVERE FLOODING THAT IS CAUSING HAZARD, DANGER TO TRAFFIC HAZARDS, AND SEVERE HOME FLOODING THREATS. THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LAKE MEADE DRAINAGE AREA. THIS COVERS LARSON AVENUE EAST OF PARSONS AVENUE AND WOULD HELP CONSTRUCT AND DESIGN AN OUTFALL TO ALLEVIATE THOSE CONDITIONS. THE SECOND ONE IS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TRAPNELL ROAD [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] DRIVE AND NESMITH ROAD AREA, SAME SITUATION, TRAFFIC HAZARDS AND HOME FLOODING, AND THIS WOULD BE TO DESIGN, LAND ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. AND THIRD WOULD BE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EAST MORGAN STREET AREA TO CONSTRUCT AND DESIGN A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND LIFT STATION IN THAT AREA, AND WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP OF SENATOR STORMS IN BRINGING THOSE FORWARD TO PROVIDE MATCHING MONEY TO LOCAL FUNDS. THE NEXT TWO ARE ONES THAT YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE THAT THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO SUPPORT. THE FIRST ONE IS THE HILLSBOROUGH STORMWATER UTILITY PILOT FOR $2 MILLION FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A STORMWATER UTILITY PILOT IN THAT AREA TO HELP WITH THE ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. THE SECOND ONE IS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DUCK POND AREA DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. THAT IS A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE IN THE DUCK POND AREA. IT'S NOT A POND PER SE, IT'S A WATERSHED NEAR UNIVERSITY MALL THAT HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT FLOODING DURING STORMS, AND THIS IS HELPING TO RECONSTRUCT THAT AREA TO ALLEVIATE THAT FLOODING. AND WE APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP OF SENATOR CRIST ON THOSE TWO IMPORTANT PROJECTS. FINALLY, WE HAVE -- BRING BACK TO YOU SEEKING FUNDS FOR REHABILITATION AND REPAIR OF PLATT STREET AND COLUMBUS DRIVE BRIDGES. BOTH OF THOSE BRIDGES WERE BUILT IN THE 1920s AND ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF REPAIR. MOST OF THE MACHINERY IN THOSE BRIDGES IS NOT CONSTRUCTED ANYMORE, SO ANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE -- CONSTRUCTION REPAIRS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE IS VERY EXPENSIVE. WE HAVE MATCHING FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT WE'RE BRINGING DOWN. LOCAL DOLLARS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED. BOTH OF THOSE BRIDGES ARE MAJOR ARTERIES IN AND OUT OF DOWNTOWN TAMPA AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THEY SERVICE MacDILL AIR FORCE BASE, THE CONVENTION CENTER, ST. PETE TIMES FORUM, SO THEY'RE REAL IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THE CENTER PART OF THE COUNTY. WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ON THOSE. AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP OF SENATORS CRIST AND STORMS ON THESE AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, BRANDON. NOW WE'LL HAVE MS. TONI WATTS OF TAMPA CDC. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS PROCESS AND SPEAK BEFORE YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME. MY NAME IS TONI WATTS. I AM THE CEO OF THE CORPORATION TO DEVELOP COMMUNITIES OF TAMPA, BETTER KNOWN AS THE CDC OF TAMPA. THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HERE TODAY. THE CDC OF TAMPA IS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOCUSED ON NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION THROUGH COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ORGANIZING AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT. ONE OF THE CDC'S INITIATIVES IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. WE OPENED A CAREER RESOURCE CENTER IN 1995 WITH THE COMMUNITY DIRECTIVE TO CREATE A COMMUNITY-BASED JOB TRAINING PLACEMENT CENTER. THE FIRST YEAR WE HAD ABOUT 200 VISITS. TODAY WE SEE OVER 1300 PEOPLE EACH YEAR. OF THAT, 85% OF OUR CLIENTS ARE EX-OFFENDERS, AND 100% OF OUR CLIENTS ARE LOW-INCOME. I'M HERE TODAY REQUESTING TO LEVERAGE FUNDING TO SUPPORT AN EXCITING PUBLIC/PRIVATE COLLABORATION TO IMPLEMENT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE CARPENTER'S BENCH PROGRAM. THIS IS AN EX-OFFENDER REENTRY AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS PROGRAM. I WANT TO THANK SENATOR VICTOR CRIST FOR AGREEING TO SPONSOR THIS BILL ON THE SENATE SIDE, AND ALSO WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE REED FOR GRANT TO BE THE SPONSOR ON THE HOUSE SIDE FOR GRACIOUSLY AGREEING. THE CARPENTER'S BENCH PROGRAM, AGAIN, IS TO TARGET EX- OFFENDER REENTRY AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME. THIS -- WE WERE ABLE TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE FUNDING -- A FEDERAL GRANT THROUGH JOB OPPORTUNITY -- JOLLY GRANT TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM, AND WE JUST NEED SOME ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO BRING ABOUT 150 JOBS TO EX-OFFENDERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADES INDUSTRY. THE PROJECT WILL BE A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH CDC OF TAMPA, ABE BROWN MINISTRIES, AND ABLE BODY TRAINING YOU, INC., WORKING TOGETHER IN COLLABORATION. THE PROJECT PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; JOB READINESS TRAINING, HARD SKILLS TRAINING; EQUIPMENT; AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. THE CDC OF TAMPA WILL PROVIDE SOFT SKILLS, WORK READINESS TRAINING, TRAVEL VOUCHERS, UNIFORMS, CASE MANAGEMENT TO THE PARTICIPANTS DURING THE GRANT PERIOD. ABE BROWN MINISTRIES WILL ASSIST THE RECRUITMENT AND PROVIDE TRAINING SPACE, AND ABLE BODY LABOR TRAINING YOU WILL PROVIDE THE HARD SKILLS TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT. AND BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM, INDIVIDUALS WILL ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO OTHER SERVICES. ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ANNUAL REPORT, '05-'06, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LEADS THE STATE IN PRISON ADMISSIONS, AND BY THAT, WE ARE ALSO SEEING A LARGE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY. BY JULY 2008, OVER 4,000 EX-OFFENDERS WILL RETURN TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE ACCESSES TO RESOURCES FOR THEM. IT'S BEEN PROVEN THAT A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM LIKE THE ONE THAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS WHAT KEEPS THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM DOWN, AND I JUST HOPE THAT YOU-ALL WOULD APPROVE THIS BILL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. WATTS. WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN TO GET YOU FUNDING, BUT REMEMBER, THE REQUEST IS -- REQUEST WILL BE SUBMITTED, BUT THEN IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A BUDGETARY PROCESS. >> I UNDERSTAND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: AND THERE'S SOME OF US WHO HAVE A HIGH INTEREST IN THIS AREA, SO THANK YOU, AND WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN TO ACCOMMODATE YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY. NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE SPEAKERS ON GENERAL ISSUES. WE'LL BEGIN WITH ARTHUR SAVAGE, THEN JOHN THORINGTON, TOM PALMER, THOM STORK, SO WOULD YOU-ALL PLEASE BE ON DECK AND BE GUIDED BY THE FACT THAT WE DO HAVE 60-SOME SPEAKERS, SO OUR TIME ALLOCATION IS NOW TWO MINUTES. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON DELEGATION MEMBERS, MADAM CHAIRMAN. MY NAME IS ARTHUR SAVAGE, AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING THE PORT OF TAMPA MARITIME INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION. THE PTMIA HAS NOTHING TO ASK FOR TODAY IN TERMS OF BILLS OR MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE'RE HERE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR WONDERFUL PORT AND TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT WE WANT YOU TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON THIS UPCOMING YEAR. AS YOU MAY KNOW, TAMPA HAS THE GREAT HONOR OF HAVING THE LARGEST PORT IN THE STATE. THAT PORT PROVIDES THE LARGEST ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THIS AREA OF ANYTHING THAT WE KNOW. OUR GROUP, PTMIA, REPRESENTS 68 MEMBERS AND IS GROWING. THOSE MEMBER COMPANIES REPRESENT ABOUT 4,000 EMPLOYEES, AND THOSE COMPANIES REPRESENT THREE-BILLION-PLUS DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THIS AREA FROM THE WORK THAT WE DO. WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT OUR PORT MEMBERS AND OUR PORT BY TRYING TO INCREASE TRAFFIC, KEEP OUR PORT COMPETITIVE. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION THIS YEAR TO ANY DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT OUR PORT. THE TAMPA PORT AUTHORITY, WHO WILL BE FOLLOWING ME, DOES A GREAT JOB IN IDENTIFYING OUR NEEDS AND KEEPING YOU-ALL AWARE OF FUNDS THAT MAY BE OUT THERE AVAILABLE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENT, EXPANSION. PLEASE KEEP AN EAR TO THE GROUND AND YOUR EYES OPEN ON ANYTHING OUT THERE THAT MAY BENEFIT THE PORT. IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO OPERATE. ALSO, ON THE DEFENSE SIDE, PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY THREATEN THE PORT. THERE IS A VERY LARGE PROJECT DOWN IN MIAMI PROPOSED THAT IS A TUNNEL TO GO ACROSS TO THE PORT OF MIAMI SAID TO POTENTIALLY COST $1 BILLION. IT COULD SUCK EVERY BIT OF MONEY OUT OF THE COFFERS TO SUPPORT PORTS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. EXCUSE ME. SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, IF THOSE ARE LIFTED, THOSE COULD REALLY HURT OUR PORT. AND AS WELL, PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT WITH THE SEAPORT SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL. COLONEL BILL JANES, DOING SOME GREAT WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. MR. THORINGTON. THERE'S A QUESTION FOR MR. SAVAGE. >> NOT FOR MR. THORINGTON, IT'S FOR MR. SAVAGE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: I WAS RECOGNIZING MR. THORINGTON TO BE ON DECK FOR NEXT. I WASN'T CALLING HIM UP FOR YOUR QUESTION. >>VICTOR CRIST: OH, OKAY. IT'S PROBABLY BEEN ABOUT 25 YEARS, BUT I HAD A GOOD CIGAR WITH YOU ONE NIGHT AND A COUPLE COMMON FRIENDS I WON'T DISCUSS HERE. >> A COUPLE HAIR FOLLICLES AGO. >>VICTOR CRIST: YEAH, WE BOTH HAD HAIR IN THOSE DAYS. [LAUGHTER] WITH THE PORT HERE, I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND JUST BRING THIS UP, BECAUSE WHEN I GET BACK FROM SESSION, I WANT TO REOPEN THE DIALOGUE THAT WE HAD GOING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS IN CULTIVATING SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE COME TO FRUITION, AND THAT'S THE NATION'S FIRST MARINE SCIENCES AND MARITIME MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY OVER AT THE PORT, WORKING IN TANDEM WITH OUR AQUARIUM AS PART OF ITS LABORATORY SCIENCE PROJECTS, BUT I'D LIKE TO ENGAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, AND I KNOW YOUR FAMILY'S HISTORY IN THIS COMMUNITY GOES, YOU KNOW, DEEP IN TIME AND INVESTMENT, WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOU IN ON THOSE DISCUSSIONS IF THAT'S POSSIBLE. >> WELL, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO, AND AS WELL, THE PTMIA MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTS LITERALLY EVERY AREA OF THE PORT, EVERY CARGO EXPERTISE, TRADE, AND ALL THAT, AND WE HAVE MEMBERS THAT I'M SURE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THAT, SO PLEASE, ANYTIME GIVE US A CALL AND WE'D BE HAPPY TO JOIN YOU ON THAT. >>VICTOR CRIST: YOU'RE WELCOME. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT CONCEPT IN SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUE, OPPAGA JUST RECENTLY -- AND I HAPPEN TO HAVE IT. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE GOING TO SAY THAT, BUT OPPAGA JUST RECENTLY RELEASED A REPORT DISCUSSING CAREER ACADEMY STUDENTS THAT PERFORM BETTER THAN ANY OTHER STUDENTS DURING HIGH SCHOOL. MOREOVER, THEY EARN HIGHER WAGES AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, SO I'LL GIVE THIS TO YOU AS SUPPORT FOR YOUR HIGH SCHOOL AS BACKUP FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND YOU ALREADY HAVE OPPAGA ON YOUR SIDE. >> WE'D BE HAPPY TO HELP. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, MR. SAVAGE. MR. THORINGTON. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M JOHN THORINGTON WITH THE TAMPA PORT AUTHORITY. HONORED TO BE HERE, AND AS MR. SAVAGE SAID, THE PORT IS the ECONOMIC JUGGERNAUT FOR OUR REGION WITH ALL THE GASOLINE COMING IN TO THIS AREA THROUGH THE PORT OF TAMPA, THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AGGREGATE TO BUILD OUR ROADS, NOW OUR EMERGING CONTAINER BUSINESS. THE CONTAINERS COMING DIRECTLY INTO THE PORT OF TAMPA ARE TAKING THOUSANDS OF CONTAINERS OFF THE FLORIDA HIGH WASTE BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER HAVE TO COME INTO DISTANT PORTS TO REACH THE TAMPA AREA, SO THAT'S A TREMENDOUS THING FOR OUR AREA. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT LAST YEAR OF SEAPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR FLORIDA'S PORTS. IT WAS CRITICAL TO US, AND WE APPRECIATED THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT OF THAT FUNDING AS WELL, AND IN FACT, HE EVEN SAID THAT -- HE REQUESTED THAT THE SEAPORT -- KEY SEAPORT PROJECTS BE ACCELERATED. WE ANTICIPATE WE WILL BE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING THIS YEAR, AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT WHAT MR. SAVAGE SAID ABOUT THE SECURITY ISSUES. THE TWO SECURITY CARD ISSUE IF NOT RESOLVED WILL BE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO THIS STATE, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE SEAPORT STANDARDS ADVISORY COUNCIL CHAIRED BY BILL JANES. HE'S DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. AND LASTLY, THE PANAMA CANAL EXPANSION IS GOING TO BENEFIT THIS STATE TREMENDOUSLY IN THE YEARS TO COME, AND THAT'S -- THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN THE MIDDLE PART OF NEXT DECADE. THE PORT AUTHORITY IS HOSTING A MAJOR CONFERENCE ALONG WITH THE U.S. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PORT AUTHORITIES TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EXPANSION OF THE CANAL WILL MEAN TO THIS -- TO THE UNITED STATES AND CERTAINLY TO THE TAMPA AREA AND TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IT'S VERY, VERY POSITIVE. THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN JANUARY, AND I'LL FOLLOW UP TO YOU WITH SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THAT. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT OF THE PORT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. THORINGTON. REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW THAT -- I BELIEVE WE'RE THE CLOSEST PORT TO THE PANAMA CANAL, ESPECIALLY WITH THAT EXPANSION. IS THAT CORRECT? >> YEAH. >>RON REAGAN: PORT MANATEE IS ACTUALLY IS THE CLOSEST. >> YEAH. >>RON REAGAN: QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU REGARDING THE FIRST BAY -- ARE YOU GOING TO LOSE SOME OF YOUR DOCK SPACE, PRIMARILY THE DRY DOCK SPACE THAT'S CLOSEST TO DOWNTOWN? >> IN TERMS OF -- >>RON REAGAN: JUST LOSING IT ALTOGETHER. WASN'T THERE A DISCUSSION ABOUT BUILDING HOTEL SPACE ON THAT PROPERTY? >> THAT PROJECT DID NOT PAN OUT, AND SO THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. THERE IS, HOWEVER, A LOT OF OTHER -- A LOT OF PRIVATE LAND THROUGHOUT THE PORT AREA THAT IS BEING LOOKED AT FOR BEING MOVED TO MIXED USE, AND CERTAINLY LAND USE ISSUES ARE KEY. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PORT AUTHORITY AND TO THE MARITIME COMMUNITY THAT WE PRESERVE LAND FOR MARITIME USE, AND IN FACT, THE PORT AUTHORITY PURCHASED 39 ACRES IN THE PORT THAT WAS AT RISK OF MOVING TO MIXED USE A COUPLE YEARS AGO. WE PAID $15 MILLION OF IT TO PRESERVE IT FOR MARITIME USE, AND IN FACT, WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME MAJOR NEW COMMERCIAL USE ON THAT PROPERTY, SO THE LAND USE ISSUES ARE KEY, YOU'RE CORRECT. >>RON REAGAN: MADAM CHAIR OR MR. CHAIR. SO -- BUT, YEAH, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF THE PORT AND CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR PROPERTY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DO PUT IT TO USE. >> ABSOLUTELY. >>RON REAGAN: AND YOU STILL HAVE THE PROPERTY DOWN BY THE ELECTRIC PLANT TOO, DO YOU NOT? >> THE PORT AUTHORITY HAS 150 ACRES DOWN AT THE BIG BEND AREA, YES, SIR. AND WE JUST SIGNED UP OUR FIRST TENANT FOR THAT RECENTLY THAT WILL BE SETTING UP A MAJOR DRY BULK OPERATION, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS COMING IN, SO WE'VE KIND OF HAD THE KICKOFF TO THAT DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH COUNTY. WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. >>RON REAGAN: GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. >> YES, SIR. THANK YOU. >>RICH GLORIOSO: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WOULD YOU SEND US AN E-MAIL WITH ALL OF THAT INFORMATION IN IT THAT YOU SAID DURING YOUR TWO MINUTES' WORTH? >> I SURE WILL. >>FAYE CULP: JUST E-MAIL IT TO CANDACE, AND CANDACE CAN SEND IT TO ALL OF US. YOU HAD SO MANY DIFFERENT FACTS IN THERE, THERE'S NO WAY I'M GOING TO REMEMBER. >> I HAVE A GOOD INFORMATION PACKET, AND I'LL SEND IT TO ALL YOUR OFFICES AS WELL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, JOHN. TOM PALMER. HOW YOU DOING, TOM? FINE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. HOW ABOUT YOURSELF? >>RICH GLORIOSO: I'M DOING GREAT. >> I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO YOU AND CANDACE HUNDLEY FOR GETTING THIS BAND OF HEATHENS TOGETHER SO WE COULD GET TO KNOW THEM AND THEY COULD GET TO KNOW US. I'M TOM PALMER. I LIVE AT CANTERBURY TOWER DOWN ON THE BAYSHORE, AND I THINK THIS IS MY FIFTH TIME TO MEET WITH THIS DELEGATION, AND BY THE WAY, SAM GIBBONS, ONE OF MY FELLOW RESIDENTS, AS I WAS LEAVING, I BUMPED INTO HIS OF HE AND HIS BRIDE, AND HE SAID TO GIVE YOU HIS REGARDS. IN FACT, SAM TELLS ME THAT HE PASSED THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION OFFICE. BUT WE AT CANTERBURY HAVE THE SAME MESSAGE THAT I'VE HAD FOR THE FIVE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN COMING HERE. IT'S BEEN ETCHED IN STONE, AND CANDACE HAS EVEN PUT IT ON THE DOCKET HERE, AND THAT IS GETTING YOU PEOPLE TO KNOW THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN A STAND-ALONE NURSING HOME AND A CCRC. THAT'S A CONTINUING CARE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, AND WE HAVE AT OUR OWN EXPENSE LOOKED AFTER OUR FUTURE, TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY AWAY FROM OUR CHILDREN, AND NOT CALLED ON THE TAXPAYERS FOR ASSISTANCE. ALL WE ASK IS WHEN YOU HAVE LEGISLATION OR IMPLEMENTATION FOR THESE STAND-ALONE NURSING HOMES, PLEASE DO KNOW THE DISTINCTION. THERE IS ANOTHER ITEM HERE, AND IT SEEMS THAT FOR FIVE YEARS I'VE BEEN INVITING YOU TO COME TO CANTERBURY. REPRESENTATIVE CULP HAS BEEN, REPRESENTATIVE HOMAN HAS BEEN, AND IF I CAN WORK OUT DETAILS, REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO WILL BE ATTENDING SOON. THE LATCH STRING IS OUT FOR THE REST OF YOU. AT 81 I'VE ABOUT DECIDED I'M TOO OLD TO HOLD POLITICAL RALLIES, BUT WE DO WANT YOU TO COME AND VISIT CANTERBURY TOWER. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, TOM. I'VE BEEN THERE, AND IT'S WORTHWHILE MAKING THE VISIT. OKAY. THOM STORK. >> AM I ONE OF THE HEATHENS HE WAS REFERRING TO? >>RICH GLORIOSO: COULD BE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M THOM STORK WITH THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM, AND I'M HERE JUST TO SHARE WITH YOU A CELEBRATION. WE JUST FINISHED THE BEST YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE AQUARIUM. I HOPE YOU'VE READ THE POSITIVE EDITORIALS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE ST. PETE TIMES AND TAMPA TRIBUNE RECENTLY. WE WERE RECENTLY CHOSEN BY PARENTS MAGAZINE AS THE FIFTH BEST AQUARIUM IN THE UNITED STATES. WE WERE CHOSEN BY THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN AQUARIUMS IN THE WORLD. OUR ATTENDANCE LAST YEAR WAS 675,000. THAT WAS 13% OVER BUDGET AND 11% OVER THE YEAR BEFORE. WE'VE OPERATED NOW FOR NINE YEARS IN THE BLACK. OUR OPERATING SURPLUS THIS PAST YEAR WAS GREATER THAN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS COMBINED, SO IT'S REALLY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WE HAVE POSITIVE NET EQUITY. WE HAVE NO LONG-TERM DEBT AT THE AQUARIUM. WE HAD MORE -- AQUARIUM. WE HAD MORE THAN 18,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS, WHICH TURNED INTO $350,000 SAVINGS FOR US. OUR FOOD AND BEVERAGE AND MERCHANDISING NETTED $1.5 MILLION TO THE AQUARIUM'S BOTTOM LINE, AND WE DO ALL OF THAT. THAT'S THE BUSINESS SIDE, BUT WE DO IT FOR THE MISSION SIDE OF WHO WE ARE. I THINK ALL OF YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE CORAL HEALTH AND RESTORATION WORK THAT WE ARE DOING. WE ARE NOW THE ONLY INSTITUTION IN THE WORLD THAT HAS A HEALTH CERTIFICATE WHERE WE CAN PROPAGATE CORALS AND THEN REINTRODUCE THEM INTO THE WILD. WE WERE RECENTLY RECOGNIZED IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS AND THE SENATE AND THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE NOW PART OF THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST ACT WHICH HAS NOW ADDED CORAL RESTORATION TO IT, AND YOUR FLORIDA AQUARIUM IS THE INSTITUTION THAT'S LEADING THAT EFFORT. WE CONTINUE OUR UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY WORK. WE'RE EXPLORING 19 SITES IN TAMPA BAY. WE'VE DONE EXTENSIVE WORK ON THE SS NARCISSUS, AND WE'RE STARTING THE EXHIBITION PLANNING WORK WITH THE HELP THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR FUTURE EXHIBITORY IN THE AQUARIUM OF ARTIFACTS FROM TAMPA BAY. EDUCATION, WE EDUCATED OVER 100,000 KIDS LAST YEAR, AND WE'VE BEEN CHOSEN AS A NATIONAL MODEL FOR MARINE SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY, AND WE ARE STILL TEACHING TEACHERS. WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT NOW FOR TEN YEARS, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO IT. WE TEACH TEACHERS MARINE SCIENCE. I THANK SENATOR CRIST ABOUT HIS COMMENTS ABOUT THE SCHOOL. I'D REALLY LIKE TO GET BACK INTO THAT DISCUSSION. WE'RE GROWING YOUR AQUARIUM, WE'RE EXPANDING YOUR AQUARIUM. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO GREAT THINGS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>RICH GLORIOSO: REPRESENTATIVE CULP. >>FAYE CULP: AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE? >> FIVE YEARS. >>FAYE CULP: FIVE YEARS? >> YES, MA'AM. >>FAYE CULP: GREAT. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >>RICH GLORIOSO: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: THOM STORK MAY HAVE BEEN AT THE AQUARIUM FOR FIVE YEARS, BUT IN OUR MARKET FOR, WHAT, 35 YEARS? >> LONGER THAN I WANT TO SAY. >> HE WAS HEAD OF MARKETING FOR BUSCH GARDENS FOR EONS. WHEN I WAS A COLLEGE STUDENTS, HE WAS ONE OF THOSE ICONS I ASPIRED TO BE LIKE, AND HE WENT TO ORLANDO TO RUN SEAWORLD, AND WE ARE VERY, VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A MAN OF THIS CALIBER BECAUSE HE IS INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN FOR THE WORK THAT HE DOES. >> THANK YOU, SENATOR. CAN I SHOW YOU MY GRANDCHILD? THIS IS MY GRANDCHILD. THAT'S HOW OLD I AM. >>VICTOR CRIST: HE'S ALSO PAST PRESIDENT OF SEE FLORIDA, MARKET FLORIDA, SO HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING TOURISM TO OUR ENTIRE STATE. >>RONDA STORMS: WHEN HE WORKED AT BUSCH GARDENS, EVERYBODY IN THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT HAD TO HAVE THE LAST NAME OF A BIRD. STORK, FINCH. >> DIDN'T CHANGE MY NAME EITHER. >>RONDA STORMS: JUST CALL ONE THING TO YOUR ATTENTION. WHEN I VISITED CHICAGO AND TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO SOME OF THE ATTRACTIONS THERE, AT THE LAST HOUR OR THE LAST 30 MINUTES OF VISITATION, YOU COULD GO IN FOR HALF PRICE, YOU COULD GO IN AND DO A QUICK-AROUND, BUT YOUR -- >> LIKE A TWILIGHT TICKET. >>RONDA STORMS: LIKE A TWILIGHT TICKET. FLORIDA DOES NOT DO THAT, AND PARTICULARLY THIS MARKET DOESN'T DO IT. I KNOW YOUR VENUE DOESN'T DO IT. I VISITED YOU IN THE LAST 30 MINUTES, AND YOU-ALL CHARGED ME FULL PRICE. >> AND I APPRECIATE YOU PAYING THAT TOO. [LAUGHTER] >>RONDA STORMS: I DID IT BECAUSE OF MY EIGHT-YEAR-OLD, YOU KNOW. SHE WANTED TO DO IT. BUT LET ME CALL IT TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE IT MAY BE A WAY TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR YOU-ALL, THE LAST 30 MINUTES TO RUN AROUND QUICK AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN SEE. >> WE'VE ACTUALLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND MAY IMPLEMENT LIKE DURING THE SUMMER STAYING OPEN EXTENDED HOURS AND OFFERING A DISCOUNT RATE DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. I THINK CHANNELSIDE HAS GROWN TO THE POINT NOW WHERE WE CAN DO THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANKS, THOM. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. >> THANK YOU, SIR, VERY MUCH. THANK YOU ALL. >>RICH GLORIOSO: PATRICIA MORAN. I'M SORRY. I MISSED SOMEONE HERE. MICHELLE. I'M SORRY. MICHELLE AND THEN PATRICIA. >> CANDACE, I HAVE SOME PACKETS HERE. >> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME'S MICHELLE CYR. I'M PROGRAM COORDINATOR AARP IN OUR ST. PETERSBURG OFFICE. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE DELEGATION FOR ALLOWING ME TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO SUPPORTED AARP'S 2007 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. BECAUSE OF YOU WE HAD MANY SUCCESSES, INCLUDING THE AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT OF LIFELINE BENEFICIARIES AS WELL AS THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OF AGING RESOURCE CENTERS. THE PACKETS THAT ARE BEING HANDED OUT TO YOU RIGHT NOW INCLUDE A ONE-PAGER, WHICH LOOKS LIKE THIS. IT'S AARP'S FLORIDA 2008 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, WHICH INCLUDE LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM REFORM. TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL OF OUR LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM AND PROVIDE OUR ELDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES THE BEST POSSIBLE OPTIONS, AARP WILL ADVOCATE FOR AND SUPPORT REFORM THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL LEVELS AND ASPECTS OF LONG-TERM CARE. AARP WILL ALSO SUPPORT CONTINUED AND ENHANCED FUNDING FOR THE STATE'S SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM CARE PROGRAM SUCH AS COMMUNITY CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE INITIATIVE. AARP WILL ALSO ADVOCATE FOR HEALTH CARE TRANSPARENCY. CLEAR PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PRICING FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES BENEFITS CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES. INFORMED CONSUMERS CAN ONLY BENEFIT THE HEALTH CARE MARKET. TIMELY AVAILABLE -- AVAILABILITY OF PRICING INFORMATION INCREASES COMPETITION AND MAY HELP LOWER PRICES. IN ADDITION TO PRICING INFORMATION, CONSUMERS NEED RELIABLE DATA THAT ADDRESSES THE QUALITY OF CARE DELIVERED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. AARP WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR TIMELY, ACCESSIBLE, AND INFORMATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT BOTH HEALTH CARE, COSTS, AND QUALITY INFORMATION. AARP ALSO SUPPORTS FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AARP WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE REPEAL OF THE CAP OF THE FLORIDA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. IN 2007 THE LAW CAPPED EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND AT $243 MILLION; HOWEVER, THERE REMAINS IN THE FUND $300 MILLION THAT CAN BE ALLOCATED TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S PRESSING NEEDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. NOW PATRICIA. ON DECK IS DENA LEAVENGOOD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M PATRICIA MORAN, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. I WANTED TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT JUST A FEW OF THE PRIORITIES WE HAVE FOR THIS SESSION, AND I'LL START OFF WITH OUR INTEREST IN CIVICS EDUCATION, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO VOTED TO PUT A SEMESTER IN MIDDLE SCHOOL LAST YEAR, BUT WE'D LIKE TO SEE THAT EXPANDED. PART OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS' PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH INFORMED AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF CITIZENS IN GOVERNMENT. THIS LEADS US TO STRONGLY SUPPORT TEACHING CIVICS EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. WE PROMOTE THE TEACHING OF CIVICS EDUCATION IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT AT ALL GRADE LEVELS. THE ONLY WAY CITIZENS CAN PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT IS IF THEY UNDERSTAND HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS. ON ENERGY, WE SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND POLICIES THAT REDUCE ENERGY GROWTH RATES AND EMPHASIZE ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ENCOURAGE THE USE OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES. SHORTLY, UNDER NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY, OUR INTEREST IN WATER IS THAT WE SUPPORT THE PUBLIC POLICIES THAT PROMOTE CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER AND ITS AVAILABILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY AND PUBLIC SUPPLY AS THE FIRST PRIORITY, FOLLOWED BY AGRICULTURE, AND THEN INDUSTRIAL, AND THEN MINING USES. AND AS FAR AS WETLANDS, WE OPPOSE ANY LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DECREASE WETLANDS PROTECTION. WE ALSO OPPOSE REMOVING LOCAL CONTROL OF WETLAND LAWS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. AND ON CITIZEN INITIATIVES, WE SUPPORT THE CITIZENS' RIGHTS TO HAVE BOTH CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY INITIATIVES. THERE WERE MANY ATTEMPTS TO RESTRICT CITIZENS' RIGHTS, AND -- ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROCESS, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL WORK AGAINST THOSE NEXT YEAR. WE WERE PARTICULARLY -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. >> -- UPSET ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT TOOK THE REVOCATION PROCESS OUT OF THIS AND SET UP A COTTAGE INDUSTRY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. MORAN. JUST BE SURE THAT AS THESE ISSUES ARISE DURING THE SESSION THAT YOU SEND US COMMUNICATION THEN SO THAT YOU ALL WON'T BE SO UPSET LATER WHEN IT HAPPENS, AT LEAST KNOWING THAT YOU NOTIFIED AND WE DID WHAT WE COULD. >> WELL, WE CERTAINLY DID ON THIS PART T WAS PUT INTO ANOTHER BILL. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH, I'M AWARE OF IT. WE ARE ALL AWARE, BUT AS LONG AS YOU KEEP US ON OUR TOES WHEN WE'RE IN SESSION, THAT'S THE IMPORTANT THING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MS. LEAVENGOOD. >> THANK YOU. I'LL MAKE THIS VERY BRIEF. I, AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE IS A DIFFICULT THING TO DO, AND WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO THE BEST THING FOR US. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT I'M HERE -- MY NAME IS DENA LEAVENGOOD, AND I'M REPRESENTING TOMORROW MATTERS. I'M A COLEADER AND FACILITATOR OF THIS INFORMAL GRASS-ROOTS COALITION OF CITIZENS, BUSINESS, AND GOVERNMENT WORKING TO BALANCE NATURAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC SITUATIONS IN THE TAMPA BAY REGION. AND IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY, THOSE THREE SYSTEMS, NATURAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC, ARE THE ONES WHEN -- THAT TOTALLY CONNECTED. ANY TIME THAT YOU MAKE A DECISION, WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL THINK ABOUT ALL THREE AND PERHAPS THE CONSEQUENCES OF MAKING A DECISION WITHOUT CONSIDERING ALL THREE AT ONCE. WE WANT YOU TO ALSO IN TERMS OF THINKING SUSTAINABILITY, WE WANT YOU TO THINK LONG-TERM BECAUSE OFTENTIMES THE COSTS ARE SHORT, UP FRONT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT OUR LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES ARE DIFFICULT. THE INVESTMENT WE MAKE NOW IS GOING TO PAY OFF IN THE FUTURE AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY FROM MANY OF THE SPEAKERS. IT COSTS A LOT LESS IN THE LONG RUN TO ADDRESS ISSUES UP FRONT LIKE EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY AND OPTIONS AND SKILLS THAN TO PAY FOR THE PRICE LATER. IN TERMS OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT, WE HOPE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO THINK LOCAL -- GLOBALLY BUT ACT LOCALLY, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED APPROACH THAT LOOKS FIRST AT PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER IN PARTICULAR THAT NEED TO BE PRESERVED, THEN YOU MAKE YOUR LAND USE DECISIONS. WE NEED TO HAVE A STATE PLAN -- COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WE NEED A REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, NOT JUST LOCAL PLANS, BUT THOSE PLANS MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION LOCAL PLANS AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS THAT HAVE BEEN CODIFIED. YOU CAN'T JUST DO IT FROM THE TOP DOWN. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE FROM THE BOTTOM UP, BUT IT'S A PUZZLE PIECE. EVERY ONE OF THOSE PIECES MUST FIT TOGETHER TO MAKE THE BIGGER PICTURE. AGAIN, I KNOW THAT THESE ARE THINGS THAT YOU THINK ABOUT, BUT WATER FIRST, LAND USE SECOND, AND TRANSPORTATION THIRD. FINALLY, BUT NOT LEAST AMONG THESE THINGS, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS KEY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE WANT TO FIND. WE NEED TO FIND WIN-WIN SOLUTIONS THAT BRING TOGETHER ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, AND THAT'S CITIZENS, THAT'S BUSINESS, AND THAT'S GOVERNMENT, AND WE NEED BETTER INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU -- >> -- FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: -- MS. LEAVENGOOD. MAUREEN KELLY, PRESIDENT OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA AREA AGENCY ON AGING. THAT'S THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK. EVERY DELEGATION MEETING THAT I GO TO, YOU'RE THERE. >> I'M GOING TO -- SINCE I SAW SOME OF YOU OVER THE LAST SEVERAL EVENINGS, I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS QUICK. I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF AGING RESOURCE CENTERS, ESPECIALLY REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, AND MANY OF YOU WHO WENT TO BAT FOR THESE. I CAN TELL YOU THEIR ONE-STOP SHOPPING IS WORKING. WE IMPLEMENTED OUR CENTER FOR A FIVE-COUNTY AREA IN AUGUST, AND WE HAVE ALREADY OVER 34,000 CALLS DIVERTING PEOPLE FROM PUBLICLY FUNDED PROGRAMS TO FEE FOR SERVICE AND FULL PAY SERVICE. CAN I TELL YOU THAT'S OUTSTANDING. IT'S A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS, SO I CAN THANK YOU FOR THAT. ALSO, IN TERMS OF SERVICE FOR COMMUNITY CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE WAIVER PROGRAMS, WE HAVE SERVED OVER 5,307 PEOPLE IN OUR FIVE-COUNTY AREA IN HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS RATHER THAN HAVING THOSE ELDERS BE IN A NURSING HOME CARE FOR APPROXIMATELY $55,000 PER PERSON. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE DO AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. JUST ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO BE OF SUPPORT TO ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS, LET US KNOW. THANK YOU. >>KEVIN AMBLER: MADAM CHAIRMAN. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES. >>KEVIN AMBLER: JUST ONE COMMENT TO THE MEMBERS THAT ARE STILL PRESENT. LAST YEAR, IN THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS -- FOR ALL OF YOU THAT ARE SERVING ON APPROPRIATIONS, I'LL GIVE YOU A HEADS- UP ON BEHALF OF OUR DELEGATION. WE'VE HAD SOME EXTREMELY GOOD WORK DONE BY THESE DIVERSION PROGRAMS AND THESE AL -- >> AGING RESOURCE CENTERS. >>KEVIN AMBLER: YEAH, ARCs. THANK YOU. THE ARCs. AND WE FOUGHT VERY HARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS ON HEALTH APPROPRIATIONS TO GET THOSE ARCs CREATED SO THAT -- BECAUSE WE ESTABLISHED THROUGH A GREAT DEAL OF COMMITTEE EFFORT, PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND LOT OF AUDITS THAT THEY DO SAVE THE TAXPAYER A LOT OF MONEY AND THEY GET BETTER RESULTS. SO THE ONLY REASON I MENTION THIS IS TWICE NOW, LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE, THERE WERE THESE EFFORTS AT THE 11th HOUR WHEN WE THOUGHT THESE WERE ALREADY IN THE BUDGETS THAT SOMEBODY CAME ALONG -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS WITHIN STAFF OR HOWEVER -- AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE ARCs OUT OF THE BUDGET AND RETURN ALL THE WORK BACK INTO THE WAY WE WERE PRE-ARC EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR IT OR ANYTHING, SO I ALERT ALL THE MEMBERS OF THIS DELEGATION ABOUT IT BECAUSE THIS COMMUNITY WOULD BE IMPACTED THE MOST SINCE WE'VE HAD THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ARC PROGRAM, AND WE SHOULD ALL BE VIGILANT TO WATCH FOR THAT KIND OF ACTIVITY GOING ON IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AS WELL. IT'S HAPPENED TWO YEARS IN A ROW. I SUSPECT WHOEVER'S DOING IT WITHIN OUR STRUCTURES MAY DO IT AGAIN, AND WE NEED TO BE ALERT TO IT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. I'M SURE MAUREEN WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO TELL US WILL TELL US. MR. MIKE WICK FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, FOLLOWED BY DOLORES WILSON AND MICHAEL BINDER. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN, AND GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION. MY NAME IS MIKE WICK, AND I AM A VOLUNTEER WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THE SOUTHEASTERN HILLSBOROUGH UNIT, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MORE THAN 150,000 VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT OUR STATE. YOUR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY IS DEDICATED TO REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DYING AND BEING DIAGNOSED ANNUALLY WITH CANCER. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 106,000 NEW CANCER CASES ARE DIAGNOSED IN FLORIDA THIS PAST YEAR. WE RANKED NUMBER TWO IN THE UNITED STATES OUT OF 50 WITH INCIDENTS OF CANCER. GIVEN THE TOBACCO USE CAUSES ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE CANCER DEATHS, IT HAS COME TO NO SURPRISE THAT OUR FOCUS THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE HEAVILY CENTERED ON THE TOBACCO USE AND TOBACCO PREVENTION. FLORIDA NOW HAS SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACES AND YOUTH TOBACCO PREVENTION PROGRAMS BEING RESTORED, GIVEN THE 90% OF ADULT SMOKERS ADMITTED THEY STARTED WHEN THEY WERE TEENAGERS. PLAIN AND SIMPLE, HIGHER PRICES FOR CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO USES WILL ELIMINATE OR STOP THE CAUSE OF SMOKERS BECAUSE OF THE PRICE OUR TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY IN 2008 IS LONG OVERDUE. WE'RE ASKING THE STATE TO INCREASE THE CIGARETTE EXCISE TAX. I KNOW NOBODY LIKES TAXES, BUT THIS TAX WILL ONLY HURT THOSE WHO VIOLATE THAT USE AND THE USE OF TOBACCO. FLORIDA'S TAX TODAY IS 33.9 CENTS A PACK FOR CIGARETTES. WE'RE RANKED NUMBER 43 OUT OF 50 STATES. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS $1.07. THE ANNUAL HEALTH COSTS IN FLORIDA CAUSED BY SMOKERS HAS EXCEEDED $6 BILLION WHERE STATE MEDICARE IS PAYING MORE THAN ONE BILLION OF THAT; HOWEVER, THE STATE COULD -- TAKES IN 430 MILLION A YEAR FROM CIGARETTE TAXES. A DOLLAR INCREASE IN TAX WOULD GENERATE AND DOUBLE THIS AMOUNT TO $842 MILLION EACH YEAR IN NEW NET STATE REVENUES THAT COULD BE USED FOR HEALTH-RELATED COSTS. I WANT TO THANK SENATOR JOYNER, SENATOR RONDA STORMS, REPRESENTATIVE RON REAGAN, AND REPRESENTATIVE FRANK PETERSON FOR THEIR SUPPORT THIS PAST YEAR TO OUR EFFORTS IN THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND PREVENTION AND WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT WE'LL BE UP ON FEBRUARY THE 19th TO VISIT YOU ON LOBBY DAY, AND ALSO, IF YOU WANT TO CONTACT ANY OF OUR ADVOCACIES IN TALLAHASSEE, PAUL HULL OR JARED ROSS, YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO, OR MYSELF, A LOCAL VOTER AND BUSINESS OWNER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. WICK. DOLORES WILSON. >> MY NAME IS DELORES WILSON, AND I HAVE REDONE THE FLORIDA FOSTER PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS. I AM HOPING THAT THIS WILL MAKE IT. I KNOW IT HAS KIND OF STUMBLED IN FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S COMMITTEE IN TALLAHASSEE. I FIND THAT THE FACT THAT FLORIDA DOES NOT HAVE A FOSTER PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS JUST UNBELIEVABLE. THIS IS A KEY STATE. 17 OTHER STATES HAVE PASSED IT ONE OF THE BEST THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS IN ALABAMA. THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. IF YOU GO ON THEIR WEB SITE, YOU'LL SEE THEY ALSO SAY THEY HAVE THE BEST FOSTER CARE, BUT THEY DON'T TELL YOU IT TOOK 15 YEARS AND A FEDERAL JUDGE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. I HOPE THAT DOESN'T TAKE IT HERE. WE NOW HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO HAS TAKEN TIME TO CARE ABOUT FOSTER CHILDREN, APPOINTED THE BLUE RIBBON PANEL, WHICH I HAVE SPOKE IN FRONT OF. HE ALSO APPOINTED A GREAT GUY, SECRETARY BOB BUTTERWORTH, WHICH I HAVE MET AND TALKED TO. WE NEED -- OUR FOSTER PARENTS HAVE TO BE PROTECTED. I MEAN, I GET CALLS CONSTANTLY TELLING ME HOW HORRIBLE IT IS. I GOT A CALL FROM A LADY THE OTHER NIGHT, SEVEN YEARS AS A FOSTER PARENT, BUT SHE'S TURNING IN HER CERTIFICATE. SHE CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE. OUR FOSTER PARENTS, THE REPRISAL THAT COMES DOWN ON US BECAUSE WE ASK FOR SOMETHING FOR OUR CHILDREN. AS A PERFECT EXAMPLE, I WAS IN THE OFFICE OF A SENATOR WHEN ANOTHER LADY ASKED FOR HELP BECAUSE HER CHILD HAD NO -- HE BELONGED IN A DEAF SCHOOL. HE COULDN'T HEAR, BUT THEY WERE PUTTING HIM IN A REGULAR SCHOOL. HE COULDN'T HEAR HIS TEACHERS, AND THREE DAYS LATER, CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES WAS AT HER HOME AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING GOING THROUGH HER HOUSE TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. WE NEED A FOSTER PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS. WITHOUT GOOD FOSTER PARENTS, HOW ARE WE GOING TO HAVE FOSTER CHILDREN TAKEN CARE OF THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ALL ARE AWARE OF THE PLIGHT OF FOSTER CHILDREN AND WHAT IT IS THAT WE NEED TO DO, AND BE ASSURED THAT YOU HAVE SOME FOLKS UP THERE WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR YOU, AND I'D LIKE TO TALK WITH YOU AFTER THE MEETING SO THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH IT SPECIFICALLY. >> THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. MR. MICHAEL BINDER. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS MICHAEL BINDER. I'M ONE OF THE UROLOGISTS HERE IN TAMPA. I'VE COME TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT HOUSE BILL 53 TO MANDATE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PAY FOR PSA SCREENING ON A YEARLY BASIS. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A UROLOGIST'S PERSPECTIVE ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL. I HATE TO SAY THAT I AM OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE LIVED THROUGH THE PRE PSA DAYS WHERE PROSTATE CANCER WAS DIAGNOSED BY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS WHO WOULD PERFORM A RECTAL EXAM ON A YEARLY BASIS. IF A PATIENT WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A LUMP, HE WOULD BE SENT TO A UROLOGIST, WHO WOULD PERFORM A BIOPSY, AND IF THE BIOPSY WAS POSITIVE, TREAT THE PATIENT. UNFORTUNATELY, MORE THAN 80% OF PATIENTS WITH PROSTATE CANCER DO NOT PRESENT WITH LUMPS. AND SO BY THE TIME THAT THEY WERE BEING DIAGNOSED, THE CANCER HAD OFTEN SPREAD. WITH THE ADVENT OF PSA, WE HAVE SEEN A 35% DECREASE IN THE DEATH RATE FROM PROSTATE CANCER, AND YET PROSTATE CANCER IS STILL THE NUMBER TWO CAUSE OF CANCER DEATH IN MEN IN THIS COUNTRY. WE ARE FAILING HERE FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT THE BIGGEST ONE, I THINK, IS THE INABILITY TO HAVE PEOPLE SCREENED, AT LEAST THOSE THAT ARE OF THE HIGHEST RISK. WE KNOW THAT ONE IN EVERY SEVEN MEN BY THE AGE OF 80 WILL HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER. WE KNOW THAT IS 60% HIGHER IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION. WE KNOW THAT IT IS A HUNDRED PERCENT HIGHER IN PEOPLE WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF PROSTATE CANCER, AND WE ARE FINDING IT IS A HUNDRED PERCENT HIGHER IN PEOPLE WHO ARE OBESE. ONLY 25% OF AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE HAD A PSA SCREENING TEST PERFORMED BY THEIR 60th BIRTHDAY. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH, AND IT'S HAPPENING PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. WE NEED INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PAY FOR THIS. WE NEED HEALTH CARE TO GO AND START WORKING MORE ON PREVENTING DISEASE AND CATCHING DISEASES EARLY. THIS HOUSE BILL HAS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO BE A START FOR THAT, AND I HOPE THAT YOU NOT ONLY SUPPORT THIS BILL BUT SPONSOR IT. >> MADAM CHAIR, WHO'S THE SENATE SPONSOR? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR TONY HILL. ISN'T SENATOR HILL THE -- YES, SENATOR HILL IS THE SPONSOR BECAUSE THEY HAD THE SAME BILL LAST YEAR, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. >> THIS IS CALLED THE LEE MILLER ACT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE LES MILLER ACT -- >> LES MILLER, THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: LES MILLER PROSTATE CANCER ACT. WE PASSED IT IN THE SENATE, BUT IT DIDN'T PASS IN THE HOUSE. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. DOES THE BILL JUST MAKE PROSTATE PSA TESTS COVERED BY INSURANCE, IS THAT THE PROBLEM? >> THAT WAS THE MAIN -- MADAM CHAIR. THAT WAS THE MAIN ITEM. I THINK IT HAD SOME -- SOME OPPOSITION, A FEW FOLKS WHO WERE WORRIED THAT IT WOULD BE A MANDATE OF SOME KIND, SO MY GOOD FRIEND WOULD PROBABLY SPEAK TO IT ALSO, REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN THROUGH THE CHAIR, BUT THAT WAS THE MAIN ISSUES. I KNOW WE CAME BEFORE HIS COMMITTEE. HOPEFULLY WE RESOLVED SOME OF THOSE ISSUES AND WE WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF PASSING THIS THIS YEAR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BEING OF AGE OF PSA TESTS AND OTHERS AND HAVING BEEN AN AIR FORCE PILOT AND UNDERSTANDING THE CHECK SINCE I WAS 27 YEARS OLD EVERY YEAR BEFORE PSA, I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THE PSA TEST IS, AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES, I WANT TO GET ONBOARD WITH THIS BECAUSE I HAVE HAD TWO GOOD FRIENDS THAT NEVER GOT A PSA UNTIL THEY WERE IN THEIR EARLY TO MID 60s, AND BOTH OF THEM DIED OF CANCER, SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THOSE CHECKS. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, DR. BINDER FOR ILLUMINATING THE ISSUE HERE TODAY BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE PASSED LAST YEAR, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET ON IT NOW THAT WE HAVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE WITH OUR FRIENDS ACROSS THE AISLE. I'M SURE THAT IT WILL PASS. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND I'M SURE MY GOOD FRIEND MR. REAGAN HAS HEARD THAT, REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. CHRIS SMITH, RAYME KNUCKLES, WENDY GRASSI, AND BRIAN PITTS, IN THAT ORDER, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS. THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. I'M CHRIS SMITH. I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC POLICY FOR THE GREATER TAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF JUDY GENSHAFT, OUR 2008 CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND OUR 2,000 EMPLOYEE MEMBERS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. WE'RE HERE TO ADVANCE OUR COMMUNITY AND SERVE OUR MEMBERS BY BUILDING BUSINESS SUCCESS, AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS CREATING WEALTH OPPORTUNITIES AND JOB GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY CREATING AN ECONOMIC CLIMATE THAT'S VITAL AND STRONG FOR BUSINESSES LARGE AND SMALL. I HAVE SOME DATA HERE FOR YOU-ALL TO SHARE TODAY. I'LL PASS IT AROUND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO, JUST LEAVE IT THERE. WE'LL HAVE SOMEONE PASS IT. >> IT'S JUST AN ECONOMIC INDICATORS UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER '07 OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. IT'S NOTHING THAT YOU-ALL HAVEN'T PROBABLY READ ABOUT IN THE PAPERS, BUT UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS FAIRLY CONSTANT HERE. THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IS SHOWN THERE. WHAT WE'RE SEEING FROM NATIONAL CONSULTANTS AND UNDERSTANDING THE BROADER PICTURE IS THAT FLORIDA IS STILL A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS; HOWEVER, A LOT OF COMPANIES ARE TAKING A LOOK AT OUR TAX STRUCTURE AND REAL ESTATE TAX POLICIES TO KIND OF ASSESS WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] THEIR BUSINESSES HERE IN FLORIDA. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU-ALL AGAIN IN 2008 ON SOME OF OUR KEY ISSUES. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE TBARTA REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THAT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT CHANCE FOR THIS REGION TO WORK TOGETHER AND BUILD A TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUSTAINS OUR GROWTH FOR THE LONG-TERM. 2008 IS GOING TO BE A BANNER YEAR FOR ENERGY ISSUES, SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS WITH BALANCED ECONOMIC POLICIES. WE WANT TO SEE CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE COMMUNITY TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SUPPORT OF FUNDING AND FORMULAS AND INCENTIVES THAT WILL HELP BRING JOBS TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOWARDS TAX REFORM THAT BRINGS LONG-TERM RELIEF. WE WILL BE WORKING HARD TO DEFEAT THE HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY AMENDMENT. ALL OF THE THINGS I'VE OUTLINED HERE FOR YOU TODAY GO UP IN SMOKE IF THAT AMENDMENT PASSES, AND I GIVE YOU THE FUTURE OF ELECTIONS IN FLORIDA. HERE IS A TYPICAL BALLOT SHOULD HOMETOWN PASS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU-ALL WANT THIS, BUT THIS IS THE FUTURE BEFORE US OR THIS IS THE CHANCE WE HAVE TO GO FORWARD TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS AFTERNOON. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, CHRIS. SUCCINCT, COGENT, AND BRIEF. MR. KNUCKLES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION. IT'S GREAT TO SEE ALL OF YOU AGAIN TODAY. THE HALLS OF TALLAHASSEE WILL BE BUSY COME SESSION, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AGAIN. I WANT TO THANK SENATOR CRIST AND REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO AND REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER FOR SPONSORING OUR COMMUNITY BUDGET REQUEST, AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE CULP FOR SPONSORING HOUSE BILL 241, WHICH WE WORKED ON LAST YEAR, AND HOPEFULLY THIS YEAR WE WILL MAKE IT PASS. AS YOU-ALL KNOW, HOMELESSNESS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA CONTINUES TO ELEVATE, AND IN TAMPA AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WE HAVE THE LARGEST HOMELESS POPULATION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. AND WE'VE COME BEFORE YOU ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. THIS IS MY FIFTH YEAR IN THIS POSITION, MY FOURTH YEAR BEFORE THIS DELEGATION, AND I WANT TO GET YOUR SUPPORT ON A COUPLE OF VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT DURING THE COMMUNITY LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT THIS COMMUNITY FELT IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON TWO SPECIFIC ISSUES, KEEPING IN MIND THAT I AM ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS AND I ALSO SIT ON THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS, SO WITH THAT EXPERTISE IN MIND, WE ASSISTED THE CHILDREN'S BOARD AND UNITED WAY AND A NUMBER OF OTHER AGENCIES WITH THAT COMMUNITY LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT, AND I'M SURE THAT YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT THAT LATER. BUT WITH REGARD TO TWO SPECIFIC AREAS AND PRESERVING THE SADOWSKI HOUSING TRUST FUND AND REPEALING THE CAP, THAT IS ONE SPECIFIC AREA WHERE YOU CAN ASSIST US WITH HOMELESS ISSUES AND HOUSING ISSUES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. NUMBER TWO IS THE REVISED DEFINITION OF "HOMELESSNESS," WHICH IS ALSO INCLUDED IN HOUSE BILL 241, AND I KNOW SENATOR CRIST IS GOING TO BE SPONSORING IT ON THE SENATE SIDE AS WELL, AND WE ALL THANK YOU FOR THAT, SENATOR CRIST. I DIDN'T EVEN SEE THE YELLOW BUTTON COME UP. JUST APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ON THOSE TWO SPECIFIC ISSUES. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WENDY AND THEN BRIAN PITTS. >> HELLO. FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL FLORIDA, I AM ACTUALLY MIMI OSIASON. 46.3% OF PREGNANCIES AMONG FLORIDA WOMEN ARE UNINTENDED. FLORIDA HAS THE SIXTH HIGHEST TEEN PREGNANCY RATE, THE SECOND HIGHEST AIDS CASE RATE, AND THE SIXTH HIGHEST SYPHILIS RATE IN THE COUNTRY. THE PREVENTION FIRST ACT PROVIDES PRACTICAL AND SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND SOLUTIONS TO REDUCING UNINTENDED PREGNANCY. 25,000 PREGNANCIES OCCUR IN THIS COUNTRY PER YEAR DUE TO RAPE. 88% OF THESE COULD BE AVOIDED THROUGH THE TIMELY USE OF EMERGENCY BIRTH CONTROL. ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, ONE OF THE TEN GREAT PUBLIC HEALTH ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 20th CENTURY IS FAMILY PLANNING. FAMILY PLANNING IS BASIC HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN. FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT IN FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES, UP TO $24 IS SAVED BY AVERTING EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT WOMEN WHO HAVE UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES. THE HEALTHY TEENS ACT ENSURES OUR TEENS ARE GETTING THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE CHOICES AND LEAD HEALTHY LIVES. WHILE WE ALL HOPE THAT TEENS WILL WAIT TO HAVE SEX, THE FACT IS THAT HALF OF FLORIDA'S TEENS HAVE INTERCOURSE BEFORE THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TEENAGERS WHO RECEIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION THAT INCLUDES DISCUSSION OF CONTRACEPTION ARE MORE LIKELY THAN THOSE WHO RECEIVE ABSTINENCE-ONLY MESSAGES TO DELAY SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND TO USE CONTRACEPTIVES WHEN THEY DO BECOME SEXUALLY ACTIVE, AND WITHHOLDING LIFE-SAVING INFORMATION FROM TEENS ALREADY SEXUALLY ACTIVE ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IS SIMPLY IRRESPONSIBLE. 73% OF FLORIDIANS BELIEVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD TEACH COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION, AND 90% OF FLORIDA'S TEACHERS FEEL SEX EDUCATION SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS. WE HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT BOTH BILLS DURING THE UPCOMING LEGISLATION -- LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU AND FOR STAYING LONG ENOUGH TO HEAR YOUR CONSTITUENTS WHO CAME TO SPEAK. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU. >> MR. CHAIR. >>RICH GLORIOSO: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: THANK YOU. >>RICH GLORIOSO: QUESTION. >>RONDA STORMS: I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN PLANNED PARENTHOOD. I HAD A BILL THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT DEALT WITH THE RAPE OF YOUNG GIRLS UNDER THE -- 13 AND BELOW, 13-, 12- YEAR-OLDS, 11-YEAR-OLDS, AND 10-YEAR-OLDS, AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD OPPOSED THE COLLECTION OF DNA EVIDENCE IN THOSE CASES. IN CASES WHERE A 13-YEAR-OLD, 12-YEAR-OLD, 11-YEAR-OLD, 10- YEAR-OLD, EVEN 9- AND 8-YEAR-OLDS GET PREGNANT, IT'S ALWAYS RAPE, AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD OPPOSED THIS BILL BECAUSE THEIR PERSPECTIVE IS THAT WAS A PRIVACY ISSUE, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD WOULD DEVELOP A MORE REASONABLE COMMONSENSE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF LITTLE GIRLS BEING RAPED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OLDER THAN AGE OF MAJORITY, AND AS PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS WELL AWARE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF LITTLE GIRLS WHO FIND THEMSELVES PREGNANT HAVE BEEN EXPLOITED BY A MAN WHO'S OVER THE AGE OF MAJORITY, SO I HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONSIDER THAT. THANK YOU. >> WELL, I THINK WE'VE -- YOU'RE WELL AWARE OF WHAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S POSITION WAS ON THAT BILL, AND IT WAS DISCUSSED WITH YOU AT LENGTH, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DEBATE HERE, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. >>RICH GLORIOSO: BRIAN PITTS AND THEN COUNCILMAN TOM SCOTT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE DELEGATION. I, OF COURSE, SENT YOU E-MAILS, 7/31/2007, AN E-MAIL WEDNESDAY TO THE DELEGATION CONCERNING SOME BILL MATERIAL. I'LL START OFF BY SAYING I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD PASS THE KREUTZER BILL THIS TIME. IT'S NUMBER ONE ON EVERYBODY'S PENDING CHARTS. WE KNOW THE GREAT DEAL THAT -- I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW, ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS PICKED THAT UP, SO THEY'RE TRACKING IT. THEY KNOW WHAT WENT DOWN LAST TIME. AS ONE OF YOUR AIDES SAID, IT WAS A TRAVESTY, AND IT WAS. NOW, NUMBER TWO, SOME IN STUFF. HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION -- HUMAN COMMISSION ON ETHICS. UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES AT A BAR CONVENTION SAID MOST OF YOU DO NOT READ BILLS THAT ARE LONG, AND IF YOU MAKE A SHORT BILL, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS BECAUSE IT'S MOST LIKELY YOU'RE GOING TO READ IT. MAKE A LONG BILL, MOST OF YOU WON'T READ IT. NOW, THIS IS FROM THE FLORIDA BAR NEWS. I CAN SEND YOU A COPY IF YOU WANT TO. BUT HE MAKES THE STATEMENT TO HIS MEMBERS. NOW, FOR BAR MEMBERS OF THE, YOU KNOW, LEGISLATURE, THAT'S NOT A VERY GOOD STATEMENT FROM SOMEONE COMING FROM YOU ABOUT YOUR COLLEAGUES HOW TO OUTSMART -- OUTSMARTING YOUR COLLEAGUES. NEXT THING I WANT TO DEAL WITH IS HAVING SOME KIND OF CONCURRENCY OVER JUDICIARY, INCLUDING THE BAR. STATE FUNDS IS USED THROUGH THE BAR WHEN THEY DO REINSTATEMENT PROCEEDINGS, UPL PROCEEDINGS, DISCIPLINARIAN PROCEEDINGS FOR BAR MEMBERS. THEY'RE USING COURTS FOR REVIEWS, CIRCUIT COURTS AS REFEREES. THIS CAME UP SOMETIME BACK IN THE '90s, BUT YOU NEED CONCURRENCY WITH THE JUDICIARY, WHICH IS NOT BEING DEALT WITH RIGHT NOW IN THE PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR. LASTLY, YOU-ALL NEED TO FIND ALSO -- HAVE SOME GUTS AND BALANCE WHEN YOU COME TO THE ISSUE OF HOW THE COURTS CAN CONTINUE IN THEIR OWN ACTIVISM OR IN THEIR OWN FORTHRIGHT STRIKING MATERIAL THAT YOU-ALL MAKE. YOUR IN-HOUSE NEEDS TO DO A BETTER RESEARCH TO KNOW WHERE, LOOK, IF YOU MAKE THIS BILL, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE STRUCK. AGAIN, I'VE SEEN BILLS COME OUT OF YOU AND IT'S BEEN MADE WHERE YOU CAN EASILY SEE IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND BOOM, THE COURTS EASILY CAN STRIKE IT. IT SHOULD NOT BE THAT EASY. YOU'RE IN-HOUSE IS SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKING AT THAT SO WHEN THE COURT COMES UP AND SAYS THEY CAN'T DO IT SO WHERE YOU CAN REPEAL IT AND SAY WE DIDN'T VIOLATE ANYTHING HERE, THERE'S NO SEPARATION OF POWER ISSUES. IN OTHER WORDS, I'M SAYING TO YOU YOU-ALL NEED TO FIND A WAY TO GET THE AUTHORITY THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AS THE LEGISLATURE FROM THE JUDICIARY. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THE TOP, YOU ALL ARE. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU. KAREN, THEN CATHY, AND THEN STEPHEN, KAREN ATHERTON, CATHY JAMES. >> IF KAREN'S NOT HERE, I'M CATHY JAMES. >>RICH GLORIOSO: YOU'RE UP. >> ALL RIGHT. MY NAME IS CATHY JAMES, AND I REPRESENT SECURING OUR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, A STATEWIDE GROUP ORGANIZED TO SECURE, PROTECT, AND PRESERVE EQUAL RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PARENTS THROUGH LOBBYING FOR FAMILY-FRIENDLY LAWS THAT PROTECT ALL FLORIDA'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. I'D LIKE TO THANK SENATOR JOYNER AND REPRESENTATIVE CULP FOR YOUR COSPONSORSHIP OF THE ADOPTION BILLS LAST YEAR. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY SENATOR, SENATOR STORMS, FOR HOLDING THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS IN TAMPA, TALLAHASSEE, AND MIAMI THIS FALL ON THE TOPICS OF ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE. OUR FAMILIES AND OUR NONGAY ALLIES WERE ALLOWED TO SHARE OUR STORIES WITH THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND ELDER AFFAIRS AND REQUEST THAT THE BAN ON ADOPTION BY GAY FLORIDIANS BE REPEALED. I'M PLEASED THAT THIS YEAR, MY FOURTH YEAR TO ADDRESS THIS BODY, I WILL BE SPEAKING TO TWO COMPANION BILLS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED FOR THE 2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SENATE BILL 200 AND HOUSE BILL 45. THE BILLS ARE NOT A FULL REPEAL OF THE 16 MOST HARMFUL WORDS IN THE FLORIDA STATUTES THAT KEEP ORPHANED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN FROM BEING PLACED WITH LOVING FAMILIES THAT WOULD PROVIDE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND PERMANENCY THAT ONLY ADOPTION CAN PROVIDE. INSTEAD, THE BILLS ALLOW FOR LIMITED JUDICIAL BYPASS TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILIES IN THE EVENT OF DEATH IF DESIGNATED BY A WILL. I AM THE NONBIOLOGICAL MAMA OF A 7-YEAR-OLD THAT I COPARENT WITH HIS BIRTH MOTHER, MY PARTNER OF 13 YEARS. BECAUSE OF THE BAN ON ADOPTION BY GAY FLORIDIANS, MY SON HAS ONLY ONE LEGAL PARENT. I HAVE NO LEGAL STANDING IN MY CHILD'S LIFE. THE BILLS INTRODUCED WOULD ALLOW ME TO ADOPT MY SON IF MY LIFE PARTNER WERE TO DIE. MY ASKS OF YOU TODAY ARE THAT EACH OF YOU JOIN SENATOR RICH AND REPRESENTATIVE BRANDENBURG AS COSPONSORS OF THE BILLS. PLEASE BE OPEN WHEN WE COME VISIT YOU FOR ADOPTION LOBBY DAYS, AND SENATOR STORMS AND REPRESENTATIVE GALVANO, WHO'S NOT HERE, PLEASE SCHEDULE HEARINGS ON SENATE BILL 200 AND HOUSE BILL 45 IN THE COMMITTEES YOU CHAIR AND ALLOW VOTES ON THE BILLS. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, CATHY. OKAY. UNITED WAY, STEPHEN. ARE YOU HERE? THERE YOU GO. DONNA PALMER IS NEXT, THEN MARY WIRSING. >> MR. CHAIR, THANK YOU. MEMBERS, GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. WE APPRECIATE THAT. MY NAME IS STEPHEN PONZILLO. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR UNITED WAY OF TAMPA BAY. THAT IS A NEW POSITION FOR US, AND PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY IS NEW WORK FOR US. WE BELIEVE IT FITS NATURALLY INTO OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE DIFFERENT MEMBERS TO REALLY EFFECT CHANGE AND CREATE SYSTEMIC CHANGE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING AS A RESOURCE. IF WE CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION, COMMUNITY DATA WE WILL DO THAT, AND WE ALSO, AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, HAVE WORKED WITH THE COUNTY AND THE CHILDREN'S BOARD TO HELP BRING GROUPS TOGETHER TO COME BEFORE YOU UNITED, AND WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE. I WANT TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT OUR 2008 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. IT FOCUSES ON THE AREAS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO UNITED WAY, PRIMARILY OUR FINANCIAL STABILITY WORK AND CREATING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO BUILD ASSETS, TO HAVE THE JOBS THAT BECOME CAREERS, AND SO FORTH, AND TO ALSO REALLY PROVIDE FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE VPK -- EXCUSE ME -- AND THE TEACH PROGRAM. THERE'S ONE BILL THAT I'D LIKE TO MENTION TO YOU IN THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME. LAST YEAR HOUSE BILL 875 AND SENATE BILL 2676 CAME UP. IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY OUTSIDE FUND RAISERS THAT WANTED TO COME AND MANDATE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES HOW THEY WOULD RUN A CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN. WE VERY STRONGLY OPPOSED THAT KIND OF LEGISLATION. SENATOR PRUITT AND OF COURSE REPRESENTATIVE SAMPSON HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN THEIR OPPOSITION TO THAT, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN THEM IN THAT OPPOSITION SHOULD THIS BILL MOVE OUT OF COMMITTEE IN THIS COMING SESSION. ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. OF PAST TODAY. >>RICH GLORIOSO: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF UNITED WAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE YOU GET INTO ANY KIND OF DIFFICULTIES OR ANY KIND OF TROUBLE. I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU'RE INCORPORATED, BUT THE WAY I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE INCORPORATED, YOU MAY NOT BE ALLOWED UNDER THE FEDERAL LAW TO INTERACT IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. >> WELL, WE ARE A 501(C)(3), AND WE WILL BE TAKING THE 501(H) ELECTION THAT ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC POLICY WORK. >>VICTOR CRIST: YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK THAT VERY CLOSELY BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BEEN CRACKING DOWN ON THAT, AND I'D HATE TO SEE ANY KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH OUR LOCALS. >> I ABSOLUTELY WILL DO THAT. OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE NONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS, BUT WE'RE WORKING WITH UNITED WAY OF FLORIDA AND UNITED WAY OF AMERICA, SO WE HAVE THAT SUPPORT, BUT WE'LL CERTAINLY MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CONTINUE TO LIVE UP TO OUR NAME AND BRING ISSUES BEFORE YOU THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN AGREE ON. >>VICTOR CRIST: VERY GOOD. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU. DONNA PALMER, MARY, AND THEN DAVID SINCLAIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE DELEGATION FOR ITS TIME THIS AFTERNOON. I AM DONNA PALMER WITH ADVANCED CLAIM AND INSPECTION SERVICES, KNOWN IN THE MARKETPLACE AS ACIS. I AM HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THIS PROGRAM AND ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECENT NEGATIVE PRESS IT IS RECEIVING. HAVING SAID THAT AND AFTER SHOWING HOW OUR BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCE CAN BE OF BENEFIT, OUR GOAL THIS AFTERNOON IS TO GAIN YOUR SUPPORT IN OUR EFFORT TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE AS THEY SEARCH FOR A NEW QUALITY CONTROL VENDOR THROUGH AN RFP THAT SHOULD BE POSTING IN JANUARY. I HAVE WORKED IN THE FLORIDA INSURANCE MARKET OVER 20 YEARS. I AM A STATE LICENSED CLAIMS ADJUSTER, A STATE LICENSED BUILDING CONTRACTOR, AND A CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR. I OWNED A 4 POINT INSURANCE INSPECTION COMPANY FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA AND HAVE ALSO HANDLED CATASTROPHIC CLAIMS FROM MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYER. THE OWNER OF ACIS, WHO UNFORTUNATELY COULD NOT BE WITH US TODAY, HAS WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY OVER 12 YEARS AND IS ALSO A STATE LICENSED CLAIMS ADJUSTER. IN 2005 HE SPENT SIX MONTHS IN NEW ORLEANS MANAGING A GROUP OF CLAIMS ADJUSTERS FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA. THE PRINCIPLES OF ACIS OFFER INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH NUMEROUS PRIVATE CARRIERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AS WELL AS CITIZENS INSURANCE AND HUD IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. WE PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CLAIMS ADJUSTING AND PROPERTY INSPECTION PROCESSES. IF ELECTED BY THE CFO AS THE QUALITY CONTROL VENDOR, THE EFFORTS OF ACIS WILL BE TO BRING VALIDITY, FORMAL STRUCTURE, AND IMPORTANCE BACK TO THIS PROGRAM. WE STRONGLY FEEL THERE IS A NEED TO RESTORE THE CONFIDENCE WITH THE INSUREDS AS WELL AS THE INSURANCE CARRIERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE APPRECIATE THE INTEREST MANY OF YOU HAVE EXPRESSED IN THIS PROGRAM. IN FACT, SENATOR JUSTICE HAS FILED LEGISLATION EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY TO FLORIDIANS WHO FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS WHEN THE PROGRAM WAS REDESIGNED FROM THE ORIGINAL FLASH PROGRAM. ALSO WORKING WITH SENATOR AMBLER, HE HAS INITIATED A RESOLUTION FOCUSING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS, AND I HOPE EACH OF YOU WILL SUPPORT HIM IN THAT TODAY. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: MADAM CHAIRMAN, AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF OUR DELEGATION THAT -- IT'S IN YOUR PACKET, AND IT WOULD -- THE RESOLUTION WOULD CONSISTENT OF THE DELEGATION SUPPORT OF NUMBERED ITEMS 1 THROUGH 3 ON THIS ADJUSTED RESOLUTION, WHICH ESSENTIALLY ASKS ON BEHALF OF OUR DELEGATION THAT WE LOOK AT CHANGES TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES, PUBLIC SATISFACTION, AND FEEDBACK SURVEYS, AND OVERSIGHT AND REVIEW OF ALL CONTRACTED INSPECTION FIRMS. IN THE PAST, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD MANY PRESENTATIONS BY OUR DELEGATION, BUT I FELT THAT THIS IS SUCH A POINT OF CRITICAL CONCERN IN TERMS OF THE MULTIPLE PRONGS OF THE APPROACH WE TOOK IN JANUARY TO CUT INSURANCE RATES. WE READ STORIES DAY IN AND DAY OUT THAT ARE REPLETE WITH THE ACCUSATION THE LEGISLATURE WAS INEFFECTIVE AND THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE IN JANUARY, AND I TAKE ISSUE WITH THAT. CHANGE DOES TAKE TIME, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MOST ASSUREDLY -- AND I THINK REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN, AS THE CHAIR AND SPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION WOULD ATTEST TO, IS THAT IF YOU ENGAGE IN PROPER MITIGATION EFFORTS AND WE HAVE A PROPER OVERSIGHT PROGRAM OF THE INSPECTIONS AND MITIGATION GOING ON, WE CAN REDUCE FLORIDIANS' INSURANCE PREMIUMS. IT'S A PROVEN FACT. IT WILL HAPPEN. >> IN FACT, IT'S BEEN RECENTLY IN THE PRESS IN SOUTH FLORIDA THAT THE AVERAGE REDUCTION IN PREMIUM IS ABOUT $385 A YEAR. >>KEVIN AMBLER: SO THE MOTION I'D HAVE WOULD BE THAT WE HAVE A RESOLUTION OF OUR DELEGATION THAT SUPPORTS ITEMS 1, 2, AND 3 ON THIS PROPOSED RESOLUTION SHEET AND WOULD COME IN THE FORM OF A CHAIR -- OF A LETTER SIGNED BY THE CHAIR OF THE DELEGATION SAYING THAT THE DELEGATION SUPPORTS THESE IN PRINCIPLE. THESE ARE JUST THE PRINCIPLES OF APPROACH TO THE OVERSIGHT -- BETTER OVERSIGHT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MITIGATION PROGRAM FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE MOTION IS -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: I'D BE HAPPY TO READ THAT OUT LOUD. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: PLEASE DON'T. I BELIEVE WE DID -- >>KEVIN AMBLER: SURE, I UNDERSTAND. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WE CAN READ IT. THE MOTION'S WELL TAKEN, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM, REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, AND MEMBERS HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VET THIS, AND I'M VERY RELUCTANT VOTING ON ANYTHING WITHOUT HAVING READ IT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MEMBERS ACCORDING TO THE RULES TO DO BUSINESS. WELL, MY INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES. >>KEVIN AMBLER: NO, NO. WE HAD A MOTION EARLIER TODAY, AND WE WAIVED THE RULES, AND THE RULES ARE THAT IT'S A MAJORITY OF THE SENATORS AND THE HOUSE MEMBERS THEN PRESENT AND VOTING THAT CAN APPROVE ANYTHING -- ANY BUSINESS THAT COMES BEFORE THE DELEGATION, SO I THINK -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IT'S MY INTERPRETATION THAT THAT WAS AS IT RELATED TO LOCAL BILLS. I THINK IT'S WELL TAKEN, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO ACCEPT IT, AND OTHERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE IF WE GET TO IT, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DIGEST IT. I BELIEVE -- >> MADAM CHAIR, IT'S NOT AN ARGUMENT. IT'S NOT EVEN DEBATABLE, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM. WE CAN'T VOTE OR DO ANYTHING WITHOUT A QUORUM. WE HAVE TO HAVE A QUORUM. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THE QUORUM WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF -- NO, WE DON'T. >>KEVIN AMBLER: WE HAVE NINE. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>RON REAGAN: QUESTION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: YES, REPRESENTATIVE REAGAN. >>RON REAGAN: AND THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED BY OUR SPEAKER, I SUPPOSE, AND MAYBE JUST A GENERAL QUESTION. WHO'S SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR THIS QUALITY ASSURANCE VENDOR? IS IT SUPPOSED TO COME OUT OF STATE FUNDS, MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME FUNDS? AND YOU MENTIONED EARLIER AN RFP IS BEING PUT FORWARD IN JANUARY FOR THIS POSITION? >> YES, THERE IS AN RFP THAT'S COMING OUT FOR VENDORS TO ACTUALLY DO THE INSPECTIONS AS WELL AS A QUALITY CONTROL VENDOR, AND THAT IS A PART OF THE RFP THAT SHOULD BE COMING OUT OF THE FUNDS FOR THE MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM. >>RON REAGAN: THANKS FOR THAT, BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT PART OF THAT RFP INCLUDED A QUALITY ASSURANCE PERSON. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW, NEXT, MS. MARY WIRSING. IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, IT IS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. ERA. >> MY NAME IS MARY WIRSING, AND I'M JUST A CONSTITUENT, BUT I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE AND ALLOWING ME TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOMETHING I'VE BEEN INTERESTED IN FOR A LONG TIME AND STILL AM VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN. I'M WITH FLORIDA'S EQUAL RIGHTS ALLIANCE SPEARHEADING THE ERA ACROSS FLORIDA AND ITS RATIFICATION BILLS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE. I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO COSPONSOR AND VOTE FOR THE BILL TO RATIFY FLORIDA FOR THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT THAT WILL SHORTLY BE FILED HERE IN FLORIDA. ERA WAS WRITTEN IN 1923. CONGRESS VOTED IT OUT IN '72 FOR 38 STATES TO RATIFY. 35 DID. EXCEPT FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THREE STATES, THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT NEARLY PASSED YEARS AGO. THAT LEAVES US WITH JUST THREE TO GO. FLORIDA IS ONE OF THOSE STATES THAT COULD MAKE HISTORY. THE ALLIANCE HAS MOVED ALONG BEFORE THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS. CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYERS TELL US WE CAN CONTINUE THE RATIFICATION PROCESS. A BODY OF THE ERA IS EQUAL RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW SHALL NOT BE DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE UNITED STATES OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SEX. IT WOULD UNDERGIRD ALL THE ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAWS NOW IGNORED. IT WOULD GIVE THE LEGAL CERTITUDE IN THE FORM OF STRICT SCRUTINY TO ALL SEX DISCRIMINATION CASES. THE ERA WOULD MAKE OBSOLETE THE CURRENT IRRATIONAL PROCESS OF COURT CASES FILED FOR EACH INEQUITY ONE BY ONE, WITH BATES, LEGAL WRANGLING, ALL AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT UNTIL WE GET IT PASSED IT'S LIKE GETTING THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION ONE PLANTATION AT A TIME. DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN IS ALREADY BANNED IN THE CONSTITUTION. IT'S TIME THAT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX BE BANNED AS WELL. ERA IS ONE OF THE FEW BILLS TO CROSS YOUR DESK THAT WILL COST FLORIDA NOTHING. PLEASE MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT. COSPONSOR AND VOTE FOR THE ERA BILL. LET IT HAVE A FAIR HEARING. THERE IS PUBLIC SUPPORT OUT HERE AMONG YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THERE ARE MORE THAN 294,000 COMMITTED SUPPORTERS, SEVEN FLORIDA NEWSPAPERS, 394 OF THE LARGEST RESPECTED ORGANIZATIONS. PLEASE COSPONSOR AND VOTE FOR THE ERA. AS A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND AS A FLORIDA CONSTITUENT, I URGE YOU TO PLEASE VOTE FOR THE ERA BILL. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. WIRSING. YOU HAVE ONE VOTE HERE. I'VE BEEN COSPONSORING THE BILL FOR SEVEN YEARS. >> THEN YOU'VE GOT TO LET ME ASK MY QUESTION. IF YOU HADN'T SAID THAT, I'D HAVE LET IT GO. I DID HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION, REALLY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: GO AHEAD. >>RON REAGAN: THAT'S SIMPLY THIS. IS IT NOT AGAINST FEDERAL LAW TODAY? THAT'S SIMPLY MY QUESTION. BECAUSE I KNOW THE ANSWER ALREADY. >> I'M SORRY, THE QUESTION -- >>RON REAGAN: THE QUESTION IS IS IT NOT AGAINST FEDERAL LAW THAT YOU CANNOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON SEX? >> I AM NOT AWARE THAT IT IS. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FEDERALLY? >>RON REAGAN: CORRECT. >> I AM NOT AWARE THAT IT IS. >>RON REAGAN: WELL, THEN I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH FINAL QUESTION. TELL ME SOMETHING THAT YOU CANNOT DO BECAUSE OF YOUR SEX. TELL ME SOMETHING THAT MY WIFE CANNOT DO THAT I CAN DO. >> I DON'T THINK I CAN THINK OF ANYTHING FOR THAT. >>RON REAGAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WELL, CAN I SAY ONE THING, THOUGH? THAT THERE ARE INSTANCES OF SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY HERE, THERE, AND SO FORTH, AND THIS REQUIRES -- AN ERA REQUIRES STRICT SCRUTINY AS OPPOSED TO MODERATE SCRUTINY WHEN THERE IS A SEX DISCRIMINATION CASE. THE -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OKAY, MS. WIRSING. THANK YOU. WE GOT TIME TO WORK ON HIM. DAVID SINCLAIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DAVID SINCLAIR. I'M A RESIDENT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. I'M COMING TO SPEAK AS AN INDIVIDUAL ON SOMETHING THAT'S VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART AND TO ALL OF US. I WISH TO SPEAK UP AGAINST A HOUSE BILL NUMBER 159 AND HOUSE BILL 73 THAT DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POSSESSES EXCLUSIVE POWER TO REGULATE IMMIGRATION. THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION ACT DELEGATES ENFORCEMENT DUTIES TO THE FEDERAL INS, AUTHORITY NOW TRANSFERRED TO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND NOT TO THE STATES. NOT TO THE STATES. HOUSE BILL 159 TITLED "THE FLORIDA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION AND COMPLIANCE ACT" WOULD ADD NEW DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR STATE'S OWN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT I BELIEVE WOULD HURT LAW ENFORCEMENT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THE TRUST OF THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN OUR STATE, AND SUCH A DIVIDE BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY OVER A LACK OF TRUST I BELIEVE COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN CRIMES AGAINST THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HERE IN FLORIDA AND CREATE A CLASS OF SILENT VICTIMS UNWILLING TO COME FORWARD. LIKEWISE, HOUSE BILL 73 WITH SOME OTHER PROVISIONS WOULD AUTHORIZE ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE TO REQUEST INFORMATION REGARDING A PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND IF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WERE TO REFUSE TO COOPERATE, COMPLIANCE COULD BE COMPELLED. IN THIS POST-9/11 SOCIETY OF OURS, THE PUBLIC CONCERN FOR SAFETY FOR OUR CITIZENS AND FOR OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IS VERY IMPORTANT BUT COULD BE BETTER SERVED BY HAVING THE FEDERAL CONGRESS THROUGH LEGISLATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. SINCLAIR. >> I SPEAK TO YOU FROM MY HEART, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. MR. JIM FREYVOGEL, PRESIDENT OF McDONALD TRAINING CENTER. >> I ANSWER EITHER WAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I STAND BEFORE YOU HERE TODAY WITH 34 YEARS' EXPERIENCE SERVING PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. DURING THAT TIME, I'VE SPENT 22 YEARS WITH THE STATE AND 1 YEARS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I'VE BEEN ONE OF THE LEADERS IN GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF INSTITUTIONS, OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, AND BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY TO LIVE IN SAFE HOMES AND ENVIRONMENTS. I'VE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN DESIGNING COMPLEX SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND IMPLEMENTING THOSE SERVICE DELIVERY THEM, AND NOW I'M PRIVILEGED TO BE THE CEO OF McDONALD TRAINING CENTER AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. BECAUSE OF THIS LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE, I GET CALLED TO TALLAHASSEE A LOT TO ASSIST AND CONSULT WITH THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. IN THAT PROCESS, IT HAS COME TO -- IT IS MY OPINION THAT AT THIS POINT THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BY -- WITH THE INTENSION OF FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE MANDATES FOR BUDGET REDUCTIONS IS ON THE THRESHOLD OF MAKING SOME DECISIONS AND SOME POLICY DECISIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE A PROFOUND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. TO DEAL WITH THAT, I HAVE HANDED OUT A ONE-PAGE -- I SAY IT'S ONE PAGE. THE OTHER TWO PAGES ARE JUST AN ATTACHMENT THAT DEALS WITH COST-CUTTING IDEAS, COST-SAVING IDEAS, BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU THAT MAKING ANY DECISIONS DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH CUTS OR OTHER ISSUES REGARDING FUNDING WITH PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES -- I'M ASKING YOU TO LOOK AT THIS -- THESE THREE CRITERIA AND FOLLOW THESE CRITERIA. THE FIRST IS THAT ANY FUNDING MUST BE BASED ON A VALID ASSESSMENT PROCESS. THE SECOND, THAT ALL ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY COST CONTAINMENT OPTIONS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, AND MANY ARE ATTACHED HERE, AND THIRD, THAT IT MUST BE A WELL DESIGNED SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM THAT IS BASED ON FACT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: VERY WELL SAID. >> OKAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MS. PATRICIA McCLURE. >> MY NAME IS PATTY McCLURE, AND I'M A VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBER ON THE CHILDREN'S BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. I ALSO CHAIR THE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE FOR THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. LAST WEEK WE HELD HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S FIRST EVER LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT ON NOVEMBER THE 29th. WE HAD 52 ISSUES SUBMITTED IN NINE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. APPROXIMATELY 150 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED THE FIRST SUMMIT, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND PLAIN OLD MOMMIES AND DADDIES JUST LIKE ME. WE BROKE INTO NINE CATEGORIES AND BEGAN EVALUATING THE ISSUES THAT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED. OUR GOAL WAS TO PRIORITIZE THE TOP TWO LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR EACH CATEGORY. THE WAY WE PRIORITIZED WAS REAL SIMPLE. WHAT TWO ISSUES HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND GIVEN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE, WHICH TWO ISSUES HAVE THE MOST LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS. THAT WAS PRETTY EASY, RIGHT? THE RED BOOK PLACED BEFORE YOU ARE THE RESULTS OF THE SUMMIT. ALL 52 ISSUES THAT WERE SUBMITTED ARE IN THE RED BOOK ALONG WITH THE TOP TWO LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR EACH NINE CATEGORIES. NOW, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT THE MOST EXCITING THING TO ME ABOUT THE RED BOOK IS OF THE 52 ISSUES, 29 OF THEM ARE SUBSTANTIVE AND DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY CONNECTED TO THEM AT ALL, SO READ THOSE 29 FIRST OVER CHRISTMAS, OKAY. I WANT TO THANK REPRESENT -- EXCUSE ME, SENATOR STORMS FOR SUBMITTING TWO ISSUES, AND I WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO FOR BEING THERE AND PARTICIPATING AND SPEAKING WITH US. I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY. THIS IS A NICE GOOD READ, YOUR RED BOOK, AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL 2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. McCLURE. MS. DONNA HAND. >> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR -- I NEED A CERTIFICATE OF 101 LEGISLATION. [LAUGHTER] MY NAME IS DONNA HAND, AND I'M HERE TO TRY TO ENLIGHTEN AND GET SOME HELP FOR THE WORKERS OF THE PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY AND THE NUCLEAR WORKERS THAT WERE OVER IN THE PINELLAS PLANT THAT WERE GUARANTEED FEDERAL COMPENSATIONS, BUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE STATUTE AND THE LAW RUNS, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GET THAT. IN 1963 THE ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION MADE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA. FLORIDA THEN STATED THAT ALL OF THEIR STATUTES WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE FEDERAL. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL IS YOUR UNIT THAT IS CONTROLLING THAT. YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED STATUTES, SO FORTH, THAT IS EQUAL TO THE FEDERAL REGARDING SAFETY AND HEALTH. YOU ALSO HAVE -- WILL BE COMING UP THAT -- THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION HAS JUST NOW PUT INTO THE BYPRODUCT OF THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] MATERIAL OR NORM MATERIAL, AND THAT COMES FROM YOUR PHOSPHATE. YOUR PHOSPHATE MATERIAL IS YOUR TRANSURANIC AND THEY ARE NORM MATERIAL AND [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] MATERIAL, SO YOU WILL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING ON THAT ONE AS REQUIRED BY NOT ONLY THE FEDERAL LAW BUT BY YOUR AGREEMENT. IN YOUR FLORIDA STATUTES, CHAPTER 769, YOU HAVE HAZARD OCCUPATIONS. IS THERE NOT ANYWHERE ON THERE THAT STATES THAT THE PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY WORKERS ARE HAZARDOUS OCCUPATIONS? YOU KNOW, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD THAT TO THAT STATUTE SO THEN THESE WORKERS WILL BE NOTED AND RECOGNIZED. YOU -- RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT REQUIRES THAT A STATE BE LISTED ON THAT ACT IN ORDER FOR THEIR WORKERS TO BENEFIT, AND IF THAT STATE IS LISTED, THEN THOSE WORKERS BENEFIT NOT ONLY WORKERS' COMPENSATION BUT ALSO MEDICAL EXPENSES. SO FAR NOBODY'S DONE IT. I REQUESTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO LOOK INTO IT, HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE AND YOUR HELP. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. WE HAVE EXACTLY 19 MORE MINUTES. THE MEETING MUST CONCLUDE AT 4:30, AND WE HAVE TEN SPEAKERS, SO MS. SUMPTER, FOLLOWED BY MS. HUNT, AND THEN THE ACLU MEMBERS. >> MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: OH, I OMITTED AL DAVIS. I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM. >> WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT NEED TO SPEAK AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT'S LEFT, COULD WE DIVIDE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BY THE TIME AND AVERAGE OUT THE TIME AVAILABLE? SO THAT WAY EVERYBODY GETS A CHANCE TO BE HEARD. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: TEN PEOPLE AND 20 MINUTES. >>VICTOR CRIST: SO TWO MINUTES APIECE? >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: 18 NOW. COME ON, MS. SUMPTER, TO THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE. A MINUTE AND A HALF. SET IT FOR TWO, AND WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THAT'S IT. >> I'LL TAKE LESS. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. >> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR MY MINUTE OF TIME. I AM HEDDIE SUMPTER, CHAIR OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD, AND AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE AGENDAS, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS POVERTY ISSUES, AND I'D LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AGAIN THE FACT THAT THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 2004 STATISTICS -- WE DON'T HAVE ANY NEW ONES -- STILL SAY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THERE ARE A TOTAL 132,075 INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN POVERTY, AND THAT EQUATES TO 11.8% OF OUR POPULATION. THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD IS THE ADMINISTERING BOARD FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT, AND THIS IS A FEDERAL GRANT THAT COMES TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND IT'S USED TO FUND ANTIPOVERTY INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO ATTACK THE CAUSES AND THE CONDITIONS OF POVERTY. AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, OUR BOARD HAS A TRIPARTITE STRUCTURE, AND IT MUST INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR, ELECTED OFFICIALS SUCH AS YOURSELF, SENATOR LES MILLER WAS YOUR LAST REPRESENTATIVE, AND REPRESENTATIVE MIKE SCIONTI CURRENTLY SERVES ON OUR BOARD. THERE ARE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BUSINESS INDUSTRY, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND OF COURSE THE LOW-INCOME SECTOR. THE BOARD IS COMPRISED OF LOCAL CITIZENS. WE ARE UNPAID VOLUNTEERS WHO BRING OUR IDEAS AND OUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE TO THE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, AND THE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM IS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THERE ARE SIX FEDERALLY MANDATED GOALS FOR COMMUNITY ACTION. MR. DAVE ROGOFF IS THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND HE ENCOURAGES AND SUPPORTS OUR PARTNERSHIP. HOW MANY MINUTES DO I HAVE -- SECONDS NOW? OKAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: IT'S UP. >> DURING THE -- DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE MEET WITH YOU AS A PART OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY ACTION, AND YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE US IN TALLAHASSEE IN APRIL 2008. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. MR. DAVIS. AL DAVIS FROM THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I'M GOING TO SPEAK REAL QUICK BECAUSE I KNOW MY TIME IS UP. MADAM CHAIRMAN, I HAD A 30-MINUTE PRESENTATION -- >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: NO, YOU DIDN'T. >> -- TO ADDRESS SHOULD A CITIZEN BE INFORMED OR KNOW ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, BUT I'M GOING TO CANCEL ALL THAT, MADAM CHAIRMAN, BECAUSE WHAT I WANT TO OCCUR WITHIN THE NEXT 30 SECONDS IS THAT WE RECOGNIZE A PERSON WHOM I THINK OUGHT TO BE RECOGNIZED IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN. MAYBE SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN. YOUR DIRECTOR, CANDACE HUNDLEY, SHE'S BEEN HERE WHEN IT WAS RAINING, SHE'S BEEN HERE WHEN IT WAS SUN SHINING, SHE'S BEEN HERE WHEN YOU WEREN'T HERE, AND BEEN HERE WHEN YOU'RE HERE AND GONE, AND SHE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE HERE LATER ON. MADAM CHAIRMAN, BECAUSE SHE HAS HELPED THIS DELEGATION YEAR IN, YEAR OUT, SHE HAS HELPED THIS DELEGATION BE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN YOU AND THE CITIZENS FOR HOW MANY YEARS? LORD HAVE MERCY. MADAM CHAIRMAN, WOULD IT BE ALL RIGHT IF WE STAND AND GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR. DAVIS. IT WAS KIND OF HIM. IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL WORKING WITH EVERYONE, BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU I HAVE 25 MONTHS LEFT. >> NOT THAT YOU'RE COUNTING. >>CANDACE HUNDLEY: NOT THAT I'M COUNTING. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MS. PHYLLIS HUNT. ACLU REPRESENTATIVES, MR. PHENEGER, STONE, MEHLMAN, MARYANN FIALA, AMERICAN ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION. IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU. I WILL BE BRIEF, AND I WILL ALSO ASK YOUR INDULGENCE AS I HOLD THIS PIECE OF PAPER CLOSE UP TO MY FACE SO THAT I CAN SEE IT BECAUSE I REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE I NEED BIFOCALS. FIRST OF ALL, THE -- I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY. MOST OF YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE THAT THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY IS GROWING IN FLORIDA, BUT QUITE FRANKLY, THE ABILITY TO SUSTAIN GROWTH IN THIS INDUSTRY, IT'S QUICKLY ERODING. I'M HERE TO ASK THAT YOU GIVE YOUR ATTENTION TO THREE MAIN AREAS. NUMBER ONE, EDUCATION; NUMBER TWO, ACCESS TO CAPITAL; AND NUMBER THREE, DECLINING INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN OUR UNIVERSITIES. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THESE THREE ITEMS IN ORDER FOR THE HIGH- TECH INDUSTRY TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE IN FLORIDA. RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT A BILLION-DOLLAR SOFTWARE COMPANY SITTING IN SOUTH FLORIDA THAT EMPLOYS 4400 PEOPLE WORLDWIDE, 1700 HERE IN FLORIDA WITH AN AVERAGE WAGE OF OVER $77,000 A YEAR. WE'RE IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING THIS COMPANY. IF WE DO THAT, IT WILL ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATE THE INDUSTRY IN FLORIDA AND WILL ALSO QUICKLY IMPEDE OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO GROW. I WANT TO INVITE YOU ALL TO OUR TECH DAYS IN TALLAHASSEE. IT'S OUR 14th ANNUAL TECH DAYS IN TALLAHASSEE ON MARCH 5th AND MARCH 6th, AND YOU WILL BE GETTING MORE INFORMATION TO THAT, AND ALSO INVITE YOU, IF ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF EITHER THE CYBER STATES OR CYBER CITIES PUBLICATIONS THAT DEAL WITH THE TECH INDUSTRY BOTH NATIONWIDE AND IN FLORIDA, PLEASE LET US KNOW, AND WE'D BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THOSE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. FIALA. MR. LOUIS MINARDI, PLEASE. >> MADAM CHAIR, WHILE MR. MINARDI IS APPROACHING, I WANTED TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR A SECOND TO INTRODUCE HIM. ALL RIGHT. I ASKED MR. MINARDI TO COME TODAY BECAUSE HE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THE OTHER DAY A SITUATION, SO I SAID THIS WAS THE FORUM FOR IT. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP HIS TIME, BUT I THINK WHAT HE POINTS OUT IS A MATTER OF CONCERN AS TO WHETHER THEY ARE EXPANDING THE PILOT PROJECT, WHICH WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, PREMATURELY, SO IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO MAYBE FOLLOW UP ON AFTER HE SPEAKS TODAY AT A LATER POINT. >> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK HERE TODAY, AND I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT REALLY BRIEF. IT'S A STATE PROBLEM WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, BUT NOW IT'S BECOMING MORE OF A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ISSUE THAT WE'RE RUNNING INTO NOW WITH THIS FUNDING. BASICALLY, MMG -- I'M PRESIDENT OF MMG TRANSPORTATION. WE'VE PROVIDED MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. WE HAVE WORKED WITH BOTH THE STATE AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED. WE HAVE LOWERED THE COST AND IMPROVED THE SERVICES USING ALL THE LOCAL PROVIDERS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. THE MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM HAS BEEN A 20-YEAR COORDINATED EFFORT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED COMMISSION HAS WORKED VERY HARD WITH PRIVATE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE A BUDGET WITH REALISTIC GOALS FOR BOTH THE TAXPAYERS OF FLORIDA AND THE MEDICAID-ELIGIBLE CLIENTS THAT NEED THESE SERVICES. THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED COMMISSION HAS CREATED THE BEST COORDINATED SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY. MEDICAID CLIENTS HAVE ONE CONTACT FOR SERVICE IN EACH OF THESE COUNTIES WITH TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS THAT CAN DO THE JOB. AS YOU ARE AWARE, IN 2005, CHAPTER 409.91211, MEDICAID NONTRANSPORTATION WAS ADDED TO THE REFORM LANGUAGE AS A MANDATORY SERVICE. I BELIEVE THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1, 2007, IT IS MANDATORY FOR DUVAL, BROWARD, CLAY, AND NASSAU COUNTIES THAT ALL MEDICAID CLIENTS MUST ENROLL IN AN HMO AND AHCA WOULD FUND THESE HMOs. THESE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE A SAVINGS. HOWEVER, THREE OF THE COUNTIES HAVE SHOWN NO REDUCTION. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WAS NOT TO BE MANDATED UNTIL 2011. AHCA HAS MADE AN ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION TO INCLUDE ALL 26 COUNTIES NOW. THE CURRENT PROBLEM NOW IS AHCA IS FUNDING THE HMOs ON THE BASIS OF ELIGIBILITY, NOT ON RIDERSHIP. SINCE 2004 THERE HAS BEEN THREE COST REDUCTIONS OF 10%, 8%, AND APPROXIMATELY 7.8% WITH NO REDUCTIONS IN SERVICE. AND FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH NOVEMBER OF 2007, MEDICAID TRIPS HAVE ONLY GONE DOWN 3%, AND THAT -- THIS IS ONLY BECAUSE WE'VE HAD TO CAPITATE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT ARE GOING. ALSO, LEE COUNTY IS RUNNING INTO THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY'RE HAVING TO CAPITATE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THEY'RE HAULING. AS OF TODAY, THREE COUNTIES HAVE DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICAID NET PROGRAM, ESCAMBIA, SARASOTA, AND MIAMI- DADE. ON JANUARY 1 OF 2008, AHCA WILL CUT THE FUNDING FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BY 54%, WHILE THE NUMBERS OF TRIPS THAT HMOs ARE PROVIDING HAVE ONLY GONE UP 2%. WE WOULD HAVE GONE FROM 1400 TRIPS A DAY TO ABOUT 400 TRIPS. THIS WILL ONLY HAVE FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION FOR LIFE- SUSTAINING TRIPS SUCH AS DIALYSIS, CANCER, MENTAL HEALTH, AND OTHER URGENT CARES. ALSO, SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE MAY NEED TO CUT OUT ARE THE PS. AND I BELIEVE, SENATOR STORMS, YOU'VE BEEN THERE, WEATHERFORD, AND SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THERE REALIZE HOW BAD THESE CHILDREN NEED TRANSPORTATION, BUT THESE ARE THE CHOICES WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE OF WHO WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY HAVE TO HAUL. ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, THE HMOs ARE DEMANDING DIVERSION PROGRAMS AND WAIVERS FROM NURSING HOMES. CLIENTS THAT HAD MEDICAID NOW HAVE TO HAVE MEDICAID AND BE OVER 65 TO EVEN GET A TRIP. THEY'RE EXCLUDING DENTAL TRIPS, BARIATRICS, ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES, AND OTHER MEDICAID-COMPENSABLE TRIPS. OUR CONCERNS ARE WHERE THE FUNDING FOR THESE CLIENTS THAT CANNOT GET IN THE HMOs, LIKE NURSING HOME PATIENTS, HOW TO GET THEM TO THEIR APPOINTMENTS. THESE CLIENTS ARE MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS TO US. MMG TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER LOCAL PROVIDERS KNOW THESE PATIENTS PERSONALLY, THEIR ELIGIBILITY, THEIR NEEDS, APPOINTMENTS, AND CAN PROVIDE THE SAME QUALITY OF SERVICE FOR THE SAME BUDGET, SO WHY PUT TWO MORE LAYERS OF BUREAUCRACY BETWEEN US AND THE CLIENTS. INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING TRANSPORTATION ANYMORE THAN THE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS SHOULD BE PROVIDING INSURANCE. THE INSURANCE LOBBY IS STRONG, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP. MEDICATE NONEMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM CHAPTER 409. THE FUNDING SHOULD REMAIN WITH THE TD COMMISSION. REPRESENTATIVE ROBAINA HAS SAID HE WILL HELP US REMOVE THE MANDATORY PROVISION FROM 409. SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU-ALL TODAY IS YOU-ALL SUPPORT - - WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS TO TRY TO GET THIS THING REVERSED AND TAKEN OUT OF 409 AND PUT THE FUNDING BACK WITH THE TD WHERE IT SHOULD BE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. YEAH. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN FOSTERING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, AND IT'S GETTING WORSE. IN SOME OF THE AREAS WHERE MEDICAID ELIGIBLE PEOPLE WERE GETTING JUST A BUS PASS BECAUSE THEY LIVED CLOSE TO A BUS STATION, THEY COULD GO TO THE DOCTORS BACK AND FORTH, THEY'RE NOT GETTING THAT ANY LONGER BECAUSE MEDICAID IS PROVIDING -- THE HMO IS PROVIDING THE TRANSPORTATION, SO THEY GET TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR AND BACK, BUT THEY LOSE THAT BUS PASS THEY COULD HAVE USED ALL MONTH-LONG FOR SHOPPING AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS, SO ACTUALLY THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS ARE GETTING LESS IN THE LONG RUN. MY COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE NEXT THURSDAY -- THIS IS THE LAST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE IN THE TRANSPORTATION ARENA IN TALLAHASSEE, BUT IT REALLY FALLS INTO THE MEDICAL ARENA BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT'S BEING DONE, THAT'S WHERE THE FUNDING IS BEING DIVERTED INTO. IT'S NOT COMING OUT OF THERE INTO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: MADAM CHAIR, YOU AND I SERVE ON HEALTH POLICY, AND OF COURSE, IT'S THE DIRECTIVE OF THE PRESIDENT WHAT ISSUES COME THROUGH US, BUT I THINK IF YOU WERE TO SEND EITHER THE CHAIRPERSON OR MYSELF A LETTER OR BOTH OF US OUTLINING THE PROBLEM AND ASKING FOR ACTION, THE TWO OF US COULD TAKE IT TO OUR STAFF DIRECTOR AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND SEE IF OUR COMMITTEE COULD INVESTIGATE THIS FOR A POSSIBLE CHANGE IN STATUTE. >> OKAY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THE BOTTOM LINE, MEMBERS, IF I UNDERSTOOD THE GRAVITY OF THE PROBLEM IS THIS, DISTILLED DOWN TO 15 SECONDS OR LESS, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY AHCA HAS IMPLEMENTED FIVE YEARS EARLY OR FOUR YEARS EARLY A PROGRAM THEY HAVE NO AUTHORIZATION TO IMPLEMENT IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND THE EFFECT OF THAT IS IS THAT THEY'RE TAKING SO MUCH DOLLARS PER PERSON, WHETHER THEY USE TRANSPORTATION OR NOT, AND THEY'RE ALLOCATING IT AS A LUMP SUM TO THE HMOs, AND THEY'RE SAYING, OKAY, YOU HAVE ALL THIS MONEY TO RUN THE DISADVANTAGED PROGRAM, BUT THEN WHAT HAPPENS IS ONCE THEY GET THOSE DOLLARS, WHAT THEY'RE SEEING IS THEY'RE CUTTING THEIR RATES IN HALF AND IN HALF AGAIN AND USING INTERMEDIARIES THAT THEY'RE FARMING THE TRANSPORTATION JOB OUT TO, AND THE NET EFFECT IS THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO TRANSPORT THESE PEOPLE ANYMORE. SO THE HMO GETS TO KEEP THE MONEY THAT THEY GOT AS A LUMP SUMMON A PER-PERSON BASIS, YOU KNOW, SO IF THERE ARE 12,000 IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, THEY GOT SO MUCH PER PERSON. THEY GET TO KEEP ALL THAT MONEY, AND THE IDEA OF THE GAME IS TO SAVE AS MUCH OF THAT AS POSSIBLE, SO IF THEY KEEP CUTTING THEIR RATES AND THEY'RE NOT TRANSPORTING ANYBODY ANYMORE, THEY GET TO KEEP THAT WHOLE LUMP SUM. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE INTENDED, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE GOT TO INTERCEDE AND STOP. >> AND IN THE LONG RUN, THAT'S GOING TO BE THEIR MOTIVATION. THEIR MOTIVATION TO MAKE MONEY IS TO CUT PEOPLE OFF. THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. >> I'LL GET YOU A COPY OF MY LETTER RIGHT NOW. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. KELLY MILES, CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY. KELLY MILES HERE? MICHELLE OSBORNE. ROD MALLOY. >> HERE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: ALL RIGHT, ROD. YOU'RE ON. >> MICHELLE OSBORNE IS HERE. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: MICHELLE, YOU'RE HERE? YOU GOTTA MOVE. >> I'VE GOT TO HURRY, RIGHT? GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS AFTERNOON. I REALIZE WE'RE THE ONLY THING BETWEEN YOU AND THE EXIT DOOR, SO I'M GOING TO BE VERY BRIEF. I'M HERE TO REPRESENT EVERYDAY BLESSINGS IN THE VILLAGE PROJECT. ONE OF THE PURPOSES FOR ME TO BE HERE TODAY IS TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A $50-MILLION PROJECT OUT IN THONOTOSASSA. WE REPRESENT CHILDREN, SENIORS, AND PARENTS, SO THIS AFFECTS A LOT OF FAMILIES. WE WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS PROJECT BECAUSE WE ARE ABOUT TO BREAK GROUND, AND LIKE AGED WINE, THE COMMUNITY WILL GROW STRONGER AS THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY WILL BECOME MORE INUNDATED INTO OUR STATE. WE WILL BE THE SECOND ONE IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE SENIOR CITIZENS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER LIVING AS ONE UNDER ADOPTED -- UNADOPTABLE CHILDREN WITH SENIORS. OUR CHALLENGE THIS YEAR IS TO RAISE $26 MILLION. WE WILL NEED THE FIRST TWO TO THREE MILLION JUST TO BREAK GROUND. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF ACCOMMODATIONS FROM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. WE WANT TO THANK THEM. YOUR SUPPORT IN PROVIDING EVERYDAY BLESSINGS AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF HOW SUPPORTIVE OUR STATE OFFICIALS CAN BE. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN, AND WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO MAIL EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU A PACKAGE EXPLAINING WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE. I ALSO WANT TO INVITE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO COME OUT AND SEE THONOTOSASSA AND THE PROJECT THAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE, AND IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO PUT FLORIDA ON THE MAP WITH A NEW PROJECT, PUTTING SENIOR CITIZENS, UNADOPTABLE CHILDREN TOGETHER, AND HELPING THAT KIND OF A COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, MS. MALLOY. FEEL FREE TO ACCESS OUR ADDRESSES ON THE WEB SITE AND SEND THEM TO EACH OF US DIRECTLY AT OUR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES. >> THANK YOU, SENATOR JOYNER. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. MR. MALLOY. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND ALSO TO THE DELEGATION. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE. I REPRESENT LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA, A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERED HERE IN TAMPA. WE SERVE OVER 100 OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE IN THE NEED OF GUARDIANSHIP CARE. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF SELF-NEGLECT, EXPLOITATION, OR ABUSE, AND THERE IS NO FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR OUR PROGRAMS HERE, AND WE'RE PRESENTING A ONE-TIME AND A FIRST-TIME CBR REQUEST WITH THE SUPPORT OF REPRESENTATIVE CULP FOR $150,000 FOR THE INDIGENT CLIENTS WE ARE CURRENTLY SERVING AND FOR 15 OTHER CLIENTS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. THERE'S ONE ISSUE THAT WE FACE WITHIN THE STATE THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF. THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS NO LONGER PETITIONING THE COURT TO PROVIDE GUARDIANSHIP CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS WHO NEED THIS KIND OF SERVICE, GUARDIANSHIP CARE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'LL MAKE AWARE FOR ALL OF YOU THROUGH THE DELEGATION OFFICES BUT ALSO WOULD LIKE TO - - IF YOU WOULD TALK ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A CBR REQUEST FOR $150,000 IN THE 2008 BUDGET FOR GUARDIANSHIP CARE. SO THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT BRIEF AND SUCCINCT REQUEST. MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION. >>RICH GLORIOSO: [INAUDIBLE] >> MADAM CHAIR, JUST ONE THING I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IF I COULD. I JUST FINISHED -- I WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO AND HIS OFFICE. I RECENTLY FINISHED A COLLECTION OF ITEMS TO SEND TO THE TROOPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE ASKED FOR IS LETTERS, AND REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO, I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING THROUGH AND ADDING TO OUR COLLECTION. WE STARTED OFF WITH 50 MEMBERS IN MY IMMEDIATE DISTRICT THAT ARE SERVING OVERSEAS. WE ENDED UP WITH 190 WE FOUND THAT ARE ACTIVELY SERVING. WE GOT 50 NAMES THE DAY BEFORE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO COMPLETE AND MAIL EVERYTHING, AND THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO FILL THAT AND GET THOSE OUT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER. >>KEVIN AMBLER: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST HAVE TWO QUICK ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF OUR DELEGATION THAT ARE HERE AND THOSE THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING IT LATER. OUGHT TO BE A LAW, THIS YEAR, AS OF TODAY I THINK WE HAVE 19 HIGH SCHOOLS THAT HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THEIR ENTRIES. WE'RE ON OUR WAY, HOPEFULLY, TO HAVING MAYBE ALL 25 HIGH SCHOOLS, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE 19. OUR ANNUAL TOWN HALL MEETING, WHICH WE INVITE ALL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION TO PARTICIPATE TO HEAR THE STUDENT BILLS AND HELP US GRADE THEM AND SELECT THE BEST ONE TO GO FORWARD IS ON SATURDAY, JULY 12th, AT 9:00 A.M. AT THE SCHOOL BOARD ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING. >> [INAUDIBLE] >>KEVIN AMBLER: WHAT DID I SAY? JULY. SEE, YOU WERE LISTENING. OKAY. NOW I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING. ALL RIGHT. JANUARY, NOT JULY, JANUARY THE 12th AT 9:00 A.M. JANUARY 12th AT 9:00 A.M. IT'S A SATURDAY MORNING FROM 9:00 TO 12:00. EVERYONE'S LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES APIECE. WE GO THROUGH ALL THE PRESENTATIONS, AND WE SCORE THEM AND SELECT THE BEST BILL TO GO FORWARD. THE SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT I WANTED TO MAKE REAL QUICK IS TODAY IS PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY. ONE OF MY STAFF MEMBERS, AMBER SMITH, WEARS THE PIN PROUDLY BECAUSE HER GRANDFATHER FOUGHT AT PEARL HARBOR AND WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO GALLANTLY WERE AFFECTED ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY, AND THAT TRANSITIONS ME INTO A RECOGNITION THAT ONE OF OUR OWN WAS ABSENT TODAY, NOT FOR REASONS OF OTHER BUSINESS OR FAMILY MEMBERS BUT BECAUSE HE IS SERVING OUR COUNTRY, AND THAT'S REPRESENTATIVE SCIONTI, WHO'S SERVING AS A JUDGE ADVOCATE IN THE ARMY RESERVE AND IS NOW ON HIS SECOND TOUR OF DUTY AS A GOOD AMERICAN FULFILLING HIS SECOND PUBLIC DUTY AS A PUBLIC OFFICER OF OUR MILITARY, AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN AMPLE AND APPROPRIATE TIME IN MENTIONING ABOUT PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY TO REMEMBER THAT WE STILL HAVE MEN AND WOMEN AT WAR AND THAT OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THEM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND WE CERTAINLY WISH REPRESENTATIVE SCIONTI THE BEST AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, FOR EXPRESSING THAT APPRECIATION TO REPRESENTATIVE SCIONTI, AS IT SPEAKS FOR THE ENTIRE DELEGATION. SENATOR CRIST. >>VICTOR CRIST: I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. A YEAR AGO WE SAW YOU CRY WHEN YOU TOOK THE GAVEL AND ASSUME THE CHAIRMANSHIP, AND AT THE TIME YOU LEANED OVER AND YOU SAID, I DON'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, CAN I DO THIS? AND I SAID, YOU CAN DO A GREAT JOB. AND YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. YOU KNOW, YOU'VE STEERED THE COURSE THROUGH SOME TOUGH, ROCKY WATERS. TODAY WAS A TOUGH MEETING, AND YOU GOT US THROUGH IT, AND THERE'S STILL SOME CHALLENGES AHEAD, BUT IN SINCERE APPRECIATION, I'D LIKE TO, ON BEHALF I GUESS THE SENATE DELEGATION, IF I MAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE UPCOMING SESSION. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU, SENATOR CRIST. I'M -- >>FAYE CULP: WE WANT TO DO THAT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSE TOO. SO YES. [APPLAUSE] >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. YOU GUYS MAKE FOLKS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE. I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU. REPRESENTATIVE GLORIOSO. >>RICH GLORIOSO: THANK YOU, AND YOU STOLE MY THUNDER THERE BECAUSE I WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE. YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, AND TODAY'S MEETING WAS A TOUGH MEETING, AND YOU LED US THROUGH JUST LIKE A GOOD LEADER SHOULD, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, AND THE SECOND THING I WANT TO SAY, MY FIRST OFFICIAL DUTY, EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T BEEN HANDED THE GAVEL YET, WE HAD A TOUGH DEBATE ON LOCAL BILL NUMBER 1, AND REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER SAID IN JANUARY HE WILL HOLD THE FIRST WORKSHOP TO GET THE WORKSHOPS GOING TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE. IT'S A LOCAL ISSUE, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED LOCALLY, AND I APPLAUD HIM FOR DOING THAT, AND HE SAID HE WILL SET THE FIRST MEETING UP IN JANUARY, SO LOOK FORWARD TO THAT MEETING IN JANUARY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: SENATOR STORMS. >>RONDA STORMS: MADAM CHAIR, IF -- JUST AS A NOTE TO FOLKS, IF YOU HAVEN'T SOUGHT TO ADOPT A CHILD OR NEEDY CHILD OR FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY TIME, CHRISTMAS, OR HANUKKAH, THEN I WISH FOLKS WOULD CONSIDER ADOPTING A FOSTER TEENAGER. A LOT OF PEOPLE ADOPT LITTLE KIDS BECAUSE THEY'RE MORE -- THEY'RE CHEAPER TO BUY PRESENTS FOR, BUT TEENAGERS ARE A LITTLE PRICEY, AND WE NEED SOME HELP WITH OUR TEENAGERS, AND SO IF FOLKS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN DOING THAT, THEN WE SURE WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE PETERMAN. >>FRANK PETERMAN JR.: SENATOR JOYNER, REALLY, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR SERVING WITH YOU. WE CAME TOGETHER YEARS AGO ON THE HOUSE SIDE, SERVED AS WIPS A LONG TIME AGO, AND IT'S JUST REALLY BEEN GREAT SEEING YOU PROGRESS IN THIS LEGISLATIVE AREA, AND I JUST WANTS TO SAY I HOPE -- WISH THE BEST. I KNOW YOU DO READY WORK ON THE SENATE SIDE, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN SOME OTHER CAPACITIES. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE REED. >>BETTY REED: THANK YOU. THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR FOR ALL OF US. AND I KNOW TODAY YOU SAID YES, I'M GLAD IT'S OVER. [LAUGHTER] SENATOR JOYNER, THANK YOU FOR OUR WONDERFUL MEETING TODAY, AND TO REPRESENTATIVE AMBLER, I WANT TO SAY PLEASE REMEMBER ME AS PART OF THAT WORKSHOP OR PUT ME IN WHEREVER YOU NEED ME BECAUSE I WANT TO BE A PART OF MAKING THIS PROCESS BECOME A REALITY AND THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT HAPPEN. THANK YOU. >>ARTHENIA JOYNER: WELL, THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE REED, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR BEING HERE TO SUPPORT ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU, AND IN THE SENATE SITTING IN TWO COMMITTEES WITH SENATOR CRIST, YOU KNOW THAT I WAS TOLD THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW ON HOW TO DO IT, AND I FOLLOWED LAWS PRETTY GOOD. HE MADE ME CRY LAST YEAR, AND NOW I'M READY TO BANG THIS GAVEL AND PASS IT ON, BUT I'VE ENJOYED IT. IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE, BUT LIKE I SAY, BETWEEN CANDACE CALLING YOU EVERY DAY AND YOUR STAFF SAYING CANDACE IS TRYING TO GET YOU AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE PROCESS THAT YOU'RE WELL AWARE OF, IT'S BEEN GOOD, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT IT ALL IS THAT I HAVE TRULY, TRULY ENJOYED IT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANY OF US COULD SERVE IN TALLAHASSEE IF WE DIDN'T ENJOY WHAT WE DO, AND WITH THAT, REPRESENTATIVE REED MOVES THAT WE RISE. [APPLAUSE] 1