Issue 61: June 15, 2009
Topic 1: K-12 Education on the Rise
Governor Crist took the next step towards providing a world class education to every Florida student by signing into law a new measure last Friday to support struggling schools and expand charter school opportunities.
The new legislation builds on a pilot project to provide support for the state's lowest ranking schools and enables the School Grade Improvement Commission to develop and support charter schools as alternatives to low-performing schools.
The bill builds upon the federal "Differentiated Accountability Pilot" initiative. Florida was chosen to participate in this program in 2008. Through the initiative, a tiered approached is used to allow individual schools to set goals and timetables for increased student achievement based on the needs of the individual school, rather than sweeping rules and regulations that struggling schools don't have any hope of achieving.
BOTTOM LINE:
In the January 2009 Quality Counts, the annual Education Week report, Florida's K-12 schools ranked10th in nation, up from 14th in 2008 and 31st in 2007. Increased funding and accountability has propelled Florida's K-12 into the top 10 in America-an astonishing feat based upon where we've been in the past. Continued achievement, however, is always more difficult than past accomplishment. Florida is right to continue to push innovation and flexibility in teaching, to propel our students higher.
Topic 2: Hometown Democracy Amendment
The highly debated Hometown Democracy Amendment appears to be headed for the 2010 General Election ballot. If approved by 60 percent of voters, the measure would require cities and counties to gain voter approval prior to changing their land use plans to allow for development. The amendment gained ballot access last week when the Florida Division of Elections approved 691,896 petition signatures - more than the 676,811 signatures currently required to place an amendment on the ballot via petition.
It's too early, however, for the Hometown Democracy proponents to celebrate. A law passed during the 2008 Legislative Session allows opposing organizations to contact voters to revoke their signatures from a ballot petition. Proponents of hometown democracy call the law unconstitutional, noting that signature revocation is not referenced in the citizen-initiative provisions of Florida's Constitution, and are currently challenging the law in the Florida Supreme Court. The state's highest court will rule on the measure no later than June 22.
Additionally, the anti-Hometown Democracy movement, led by Floridians for Smarter Growth, is currently collecting signatures for a rival ballot amendment. This alternative amendment would require voter approval on changes to a land use plan only after 10 percent of registered voters sign a petition at the County Supervisor of Elections - in person.
BOTTOM LINE:
Look for the Florida Supreme Court to uphold the signature revocation law, bringing the initiative to the voters in November of 2010. The business community will rally to get its competing measure on the ballot, and fight to defeat the Hometown initiative. While sounding good in name, the Hometown measure would stifle growth in Florida, and seriously harm our economy.
Topic 3: Florida Top 10 in Clean Energy Jobs
As reported by the Associated Press, a Pew Charitable Trusts survey found that clean energy jobs in Florida grew by 9.1 percent compared to the national average of 3.7 percent from 1998 to 2007, making Florida one of the top-ten states in the country for green jobs.
Florida is the only state in the nation with its own cap-and-trade policy, which plays a part in creating a market demand for clean energy generation. The study also reported that venture capital investment in clean technology in Florida totaled nearly $117 million over the past three years, half of which has supported clean energy generation.
With Florida clearly making process on the clean energy front, House Republicans in Washington are offering their own energy plan as an alternative to the Democrat majorities' plan. The American Energy Act focuses on expanding the use of nuclear power in the U.S., creating 100 new reactors over the next 20 years. The U.S. hasn't seen a new nuclear reactor since 1978, due to post Three Mile Island sentiment and regulation against nuclear power.
BOTTOM LINE:
Florida's environment and economy are inextricably linked. Accordingly, developing clean energy makes sense for the Sunshine State, and Florida's clean energy economy should be among the top in the nation. Nuclear power must be part of that clean energy future, and the American Energy Act should bolster the nuclear power projects planned by Florida Power and Light and Progress Energy.
Topic 4: Foreclosure Rate Woes
Florida has the dubious distinction of ranking third place nationally for the highest rate of foreclosures in the month of May, according to RealtyTrac, as published by the South Florida Business Journal.
Nevada came in first with a staggering one in every 64 homes facing foreclosure. In California, one in every 144 homes is currently in foreclosure, while in the Sunshine State it's one in every 148. Nationally, one in every 398 homes is in foreclosure, down six percent from April, but up nearly 20 percent from the same time last year. Additionally, May marks the third straight month with the total number of foreclosure filings passing the 300,000 mark, a first since RealtyTrac began tracking foreclosure data.
In South Florida, Broward County residents faced 11,325 foreclosures in May - one in every 71 residences, up 10 percent over April. Miami-Dade saw 7,773 filings, one in every 125 units, down 31.2 percent from April. Finally, Palm Beach County posted 3,782 filings, one out of every 169 units, up 32.8 percent from April.
BOTTOM LINE:
The housing market in Florida, especially southwest and southeast Florida, is as bad as anyone can remember. Hopefully we will hit bottom this year, with prices stabilizing and possibly moving up. The good news-prices are at six year lows. Go out and get yourself a deal!
Topic 5: Will the Governor Sign the Insurance Choice Bill?
As discussed last week, one of the most controversial pieces of legislation this session - a bill to increase consumer choice in the insurance market - has not yet been acted upon by the Governor, and has remained a steady topic of discussion among the press and lobbying corps alike. Several important developments occurred last week, as the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Legislative Black Caucus came out in support of the legislation.
The legislation has received bi-partisan support since its inception, receiving a vote of 27-9 in the Florida Senate and 105-13 in the Florida House.
Under current law, the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) reviews proposed insurance rates and either approves or disapproves of the rate as excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The new insurance legislation allows consumers the choice to purchase a homeowner's insurance policy that is less regulated by OIR. This legislation is in reaction to State Farm announcing plans to begin a two year withdraw from the Sunshine State.
BOTTOM LINE:
Look for the Governor to act on this bill shortly, likely vetoing the legislation.
Question of the Week
I own a large tract of land, which has a zoning designation of "residential" that allows up to five units per acre. I am considering developing the property, and I have been told by the local government that I should consider doing a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the property. What exactly is a PUD, and is it something that I should consider?
Click here for the answer.
Things to Watch
Veto of College Transportation Fee Increase
The Governor vetoed a transportation fee increase for community college students last week. The Governor expressed concern over approving legislation that could impose an up to $200 fee on all students, regardless of whether or not they actually utilize school transportation.
What's It Like Being 24 Years Old and Near the Center of Political Power?
The New York Times sheds light on the issue with a story about the "odd couple" relationship between President Obama's Chief Advisor, David Alexrod, and his 24 year old assistant, Eric Lesser. Politics is a world of the young, and this New York Times story sheds insight on how the very young are often near the center of political power. To read more, click here.
Governor Crist Appoints Rob Wheeler as General Counsel
Governor Charlie Crist announced the appointment of Robert R. "Rob" Wheeler of Tallahassee as general counsel for the Executive Office of the Governor. Wheeler has served as assistant general counsel for Governor Crist since January 2007. Previously, after 10 years of private practice, he served in the criminal appeals division of the Office of the Attorney General, beginning as an assistant attorney general in the Palm Beach office. In 2000, he relocated to Tallahassee and became bureau chief of the division in 2003. Wheeler received a bachelor's degree in Political Science and his law degree from the University of Florida.
Will the Recession Hurt Turnout in the 2010 Elections?
If the off year election recently held in Virginia is indicative of what may happen nationwide next year, as voters are struggling to focus on elections while working to make ends meet. To read the Washington Post story, click here.
