Florida Legislative Session Report
It has now been 43 days since the beginning of the 2013 legislative sessions. At this point, bills are starting to move exceptionally quick on their route to becoming approved.
Legislation is moving more rapidly as chambers are spending more time on the floor during long sessions. The House even has an uncommon Friday session. The goal is to have a decision reached before everyone leaves for the day.
In addition to passing bills, executive appointments are also being made.
The Thursday before last, the Senate confirmed 162 people to a number of different boards, offices and committees. A highlight of this month’s session was the Realtors Rally for Homeownership and the League of Women’s Voters Gala.
Pressing issues involving taxes, healthcare, education, and budgets have prompted the introduction of several bills. We are now more than halfway through the 60-day annual session and many of these bills have been given the seal of approval.
The highly controversial debate over internet cafes has been an ongoing source of division. Last year, an unsuccessful attempt to regulate internet cafes died with Senate Bill 380 (SB 380). However, the verdict is in this year. Internet cafes across the state will be shutting their doors.
Other bills that have the potential to effect Florida residents include SB 876 – Unborn Child Crime Bill: This bill will lead to additional charges be added if a crime leads to the injury or death of an unborn child. The crime against the unborn child would be treated separately from that of the mother. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee voted 4-2 for this measure.
SB 634 – The Boombox Bill: This bill is aimed at getting people to lower the volume of the music in their motor vehicles. It prohibits drivers from blaring their music to a level that is “plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet or more.” If they don’t follow this, a police officer may issue a citation of $30.
House Bill 611 (HB 611) – A bill that will increase penalties for false reports to law enforcement. It serves to cut down on time and money wasted
by investigating these false reports. This bill was passed with a 113-3 vote.
HB 867 – Also known as the “Parent Trigger Bill”, this bill will allow parents more of a say in what is happening with their children’s failing schools. It would give them a voice in whether or not the schools would be taken over by a private charter school company. This bill passed 68-51.
SB 278/HB 239 – This bill is good news for those that wear glasses or contacts. It will expand the powers of optometrists so that they may prescribe oral drugs. Previously, ophthalmologists were the only ones allowed to do such.
SB 718/HB 231 – Alimony Overhaul Bill: This bill will establish standards for the length and amounts of alimony paid to spouses, replacing the concept of permanent alimony with a system based on the length of the marriage. This bill has cleared committees and is set for the full House.
Bills have been rolling on the floor, being heavily reviewed and eventually getting passed. The ones that don’t progress have the opportunity to undergo a facelift and come back again next year.
The House will reconvene on April 17, 2013, at 11:30 AM or at the call of the Speaker.
Rebates Promote Energy Conservation
The Florida Public Service Commission brought in National Consumer Protection Week by showcasing energy-saving choices at one of Tallahassee’s locally owned appliance stores. The event was part of a movement spearheaded by some of Tallahassee’s elected officials to inform residents about the cost-effectiveness of electricity.
State Representative Alan Williams, Chairman Ronald Brisé, Leon County Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley, and Brenda Buchan with the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services are making energy conservation a top priority. Chairman Brisé explained that he wants the community to know that being energy conscious is not too far out of reach. He described energy conservation as a “low-hanging fruit.”
The energy efficiency train has gained serious momentum across America. Over five billion government-backed ENERGY STAR appliances have found their way into American homes, according to their website. ENERGY STAR appliances have the potential to save homeowners a significant amount on their utility bills.
The very recognizable labels are the key to distinguishing qualified items. Mike Munroe, owner of Mays-Munroe is proud to feature the latest models of ENERGY STAR appliances. “Most labels on washers, fridges, freezers and dishwashers can be found on the bottom right-hand corner,” described Munroe.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates annual savings of more than 150 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by using ENERGY STAR products. To promote sales, Tallahassee has doubled previous existing rebates on qualifying ENERGY STAR and natural gas appliances.
Rebates can now range from $80 to $1,500. According to Representative Alan Williams, however, the focus should not be solely on making products affordable but also on making this new energy preservation lifestyle affordable.
“Consumers represent the most powerful economic force known to man,” said Williams as he addressed the small group at Mays-Munroe.
Williams called upon this force to take a proactive role in becoming energy efficient. He also encouraged government office and industry leaders to do the same.
Despite, the overwhelmingly warm reception, having Energy Star appliances is just one step in the right direction. Leon County Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley made it clear that personal habits are also a contributing factor in the energy equation. “Your behavior costs nothing,” said Lindley candidly. She went on to list other ways to conserve, such as remembering to lower the thermostat and using compost barrels.
There are multiple opportunities for Tallahassee residents to get involved in the long-term preservation of the Earth as well as their finances.
For more information on ENERGY STAR appliances and rebates, visit www.energystar.gov.
Classmates from the 50s Bond Over Weekly Coffee
At 8 a.m. on any given Wednesday, between eight and 18 gray-haired men trickle into a small local diner.
For the past 11 years, members of Leon High School’s Class of 1952 have been meeting for breakfast at Jim & Milt’s Bar-B-Q restaurant on Pensacola Street in Tallahassee, Florida.
The “Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club,” as the group has been affectionately nicknamed, consists of Harvey Sweeney, Ted Williams, Gene Sellers, Charles Strickland, Rick Ruryk, Bob Kennedy, Doug Nichols, Gary Sammons, Jack Chapman, Jimmy Joanos, Phillip Walz, Paul Messer, Jerry Carroll and the late Elwin “Walter” Herold Jr.
The early morning breakfast became a tradition shortly after their 50th class reunion, when it was discovered that Herold had cancer. Sweeney and Williams decided to take him out for breakfast a couple of days after that. The group has been meeting ever since.
A couple of the men have a habit of being late, but there is always a chair open. Having grown up in a world before social media, these men demonstrate their “likes” by showing up in person.
The “Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club,” as the group has been affectionately nicknamed, consists of Harvey Sweeney, Ted Williams, Gene Sellers, Charles Strickland, Rick Ruryk, Bob Kennedy, Doug Nichols, Gary Sammons, Jack Chapman, Jimmy Joanos, Phillip Walz, Paul Messer, Jerry Carroll and the late Elwin “Walter” Herold Jr.
The early morning breakfast became a tradition shortly after their 50th class reunion, when it was discovered that Herold had cancer. Sweeney and Williams decided to take him out for breakfast a couple of days after that. The group has been meeting ever since.
“I come through three or four school zones just to get here. But I enjoy every minute,” said Messer.
The old friends always order the same thing — the special. It comes with two eggs, grits, toast and coffee. They drink coffee and reminisce about an era gone by. They talk about everything from baseball to stocks. Religion and politics are off the table unless you “want to start a fight.”
“We have our seats. The names just aren’t on ’em,” chuckled Sellers.
The Breakfast Club has picked up a few members along the way. Rick Ruryk is not a member of their class but was married to a classmate. After the passing of his wife, Ruryk joined the weekly breakfast.
The Class of 1952 was the first class to graduate at Centennial Field, which is now Cascades Park. Aside from Doug Nichols, who attended Auburn University, most of the men are graduates from Florida State University.
“We were children of the Depression. We didn’t do too much going away for school,” said Joanos.
The once high school football players and band members grew up to be lawyers, accountants, county commissioners and highway patrolmen. They became businessmen and blossomed into family men.
Several members have been married for more than 50 years and have upcoming anniversaries. It is a rare occasion for a wife to come to the breakfast. If they do attend, they have to be “specially invited.”
Having worked most of their lives, the majority of the group is retired. However, a few still keep busy with part-time jobs.
A small piece of paper tacked to the wall of Jim & Milt’s Bar-B-Q keeps track of who paid last. A “high level of decision” is how the men jokingly refer to keeping track of the tab.
The group has even devised a tip system for their waitress of more than a decade, Michaela Powers. Each man puts $2 in the middle of the table as gratitude for a job well done.
“They are hilarious. They’ve come in for years and given everybody a hard time. They whip them into shape,” joked Powers.
The years have an unstoppable way of taking their toll on the body. Elwin “Walter” Herold, the well-loved man who brought this group together, passed away Oct. 7, 2014. He was the fifth member of the club to leave the earthly realm. The members of the Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club were made honorary pallbearers at his Oct. 13 funeral service.
Despite the loss of Herold, the men still faithfully meet every week.
The biggest decision at breakfast is usually whether or not the group will have butter on their toast.