SWF legislators meet the public at post-session town hall meeting

Health care, unemployment, education, taxes… topics such as these tend to ignite tempers and result in heated discussions, especially when the public has a captive legislative audience. But at the post-session town hall meeting of the Collier County State Legislative Delegation last Wednesday night, emotions remained intact and there was a substantial amount of applause, and even some genuine laughs, from the 100-plus attendees.

The four Southwest Florida legislators — Sen. Garrett Richter and Reps. Tom Grady, David Rivera and Matt Hudson —shared what they believed were victories and conveyed their priorities going into the next session.

The biggest accomplishment

t that all four were

p proud of was Tallahassee's

ability to pass a balanced budget in the face of a $6 billion deficit. "I feel we survived it with dignity," said Rep. Rivera, noting that Florida has no intention of running up a deficit like what California and Illinois are now facing. To not further the burden of the people and businesses of Florida, he added, moving forward the state government will have to be held to the same standard as its citizens. "When less money comes in, you pull back on spending. You have to live within your means, and that's what government needs to do."

Rep. Grady got a hearty laugh from the audience when his Power Point presentation displayed visuals of some well-known holes around the planet, including the Blue Hole in Belize, the Big Hole in South Africa and the Glory Hole in California, finally ending with a photo of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The tagline read "… sucking up trillions and trillions of dollars never to be seen again." On a more serious note, Rep. Grady mentioned the passing of his Equal Opportunity in Education Act, which Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law last month.

Rep. Rivera pointed out that education spending at all levels — K-12, state and community colleges, and universities — increased. Granted, at $29 per student it wasn't a huge increase, but "it was a victory within economic austerity," he said.

Rep. Hudson shocked the audience when he posed the question, "Did you know there are 20 counties without a licensed dentist in Florida?" For this reason alone, he's proud of the passing of what is probably a relatively unknown bill, HB 185, which will give dentists greater access to provide their services in rural areas. Also, he and Sen. Richter combined their efforts in getting the Truth in Millage notice revamped. "It will be far more clear and concise," Rep. Hudson said. "It is your money, and now you will be armed with the facts."

During the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, citizens raised various concerns, including the sensitive subject of home and condo associations being burdened by and buried under the increasing amount of foreclosed properties in their respective neighborhoods and the resulting unpaid fees. Rep. Hudson, who was disappointed that a bill addressing these issues was vetoed, said something new is already being drafted and it will be a priority this coming term.