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CAPITOL REPORT

Committee Week Update

Capitol Report 2016
December 16, 2015
Filed by: Debbie Harrison Rumberger, LWVF Governmental Consultant
 
This has been a year of unending special sessions intertwined with regular 2016 Committee weeks, a battle for the Senate presidency, and the collapse of efforts to adopt fair voting districts in the Legislature. This lead up to session may be better remembered for what wasn't addressed than what was: healthcare and climate change.
 
Debbie Harrison Rumberger testifies on behalf of the LWVF 
Debbie Harrison Rumberger testifies on behalf of the LWVF


VOTING LAW AND ELECTIONS
While all eyes are on the LWVF's efforts to ensure fair voting districts in Florida, the voting law and elections issue has seen little attention in bills moving forward in the 2016 pre-session committee weeks. As session begins we will also be monitoring reports before the Legislature from the Secretary of State, Ken Detzner, on his agency's preparations for the 2016 elections. A list of election law bills we are tracking can be accessed here. 

EDUCATION
We are closely monitoring bills impacting Florida's public education system. While the committee weeks have seen little action on our priority concerns, concerning bills are being filed daily for consideration in the upcoming session. The education-related bills can be accessed here.
 
HEALTH CARE
Expectations for the state to accept federal Medicaid expansion funds are extremely low after the meltdown of the 2015 session. You will recall that the House went home unexpectedly after refusing to accept the federal health care tax dollars in the face of pressure to do so by the Senate. The result was the first of a year of special sessions woven into the summer and committee week seasons. The result to date is the loss of $54 billion in Floridian-paid federal tax dollars to provide medical care to our working poor. Instead we will experience increasing indigent care costs, diminishing federal participation and reductions in health care services. We will continue to watch for opportunities to move this issue forward.  
 
GUN SAFETY
Noted industry lobbyist Marion Hammer and her principal, the National Rifle Association, have been busy advancing bills that would weaken gun protections in Florida. The League has been active in opposing those bills in both the House and Senate committee meetings this fall. We are proud to stand with every University and College President, the Board of Governors and all Campus law enforcement in opposing legislation that would allow firearms on our college campuses. Please access the gun bills we are tracking here.
 
LWVF Gun Safety Chair Patricia Brigham testifies before the Legislature for gun safety 
LWVF Gun Safety Chair Patricia Brigham testifies before the Legislature for gun safety


 
LAND AND WATER
Fracking in Florida has been another strong focus of the committee week agendas. Local leagues have been working in their communities to pass resolutions establishing fracking bans in the face of concerns for health, water supply and environmental protections. One of the more egregious components of both the House and Senate bills preempts local resolutions banning fracking. To date, 40 municipalities and 20 counties have put fracking bans in place. Please access all our environmental bills here.  
 
 
Click below to view the bills that we are tracking.

 
Please know your voices are our strength here in the Capitol. Your meetings with legislators, emails, calls, workshops and community work are the breath of our work. Please watch for our action alerts, Capitol Reports, and please do join us in Tallahassee for the LWVF LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT February 16-18, 2016!
 
Get Involved!
Debbie Harrison Rumberger is the League's professional lobbyist for the 2016 Legislative Session. Ably supported by our very active volunteer Lobby Corps from the Tallahassee League. Updates on League legislative issues will be provided on a regular basis through Capitol Report, which is published every week during the session. Important information may also be accessed at www.leg.state.fl.us. Watch for your Capitol Report each Friday of the session for news on priority issues and what you can do to help. For updates on or copies of proposed legislation, call legislative information at 1-800-342-1827 or visit the Florida Online Sunshine homepage at www.leg.state.fl.us. For more information about the League's advocacy, check out www.thefloridavoter.com
 
  
Thank you, 
 
Debbie Harrison Rumberger
LWVF Legislative Liaison