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Legislature geared up and ready to go
What a great view I had Tuesday for a few minutes here and a few minutes there. It was from the 22nd floor of the Florida Capitol Building once the fog had burned off by midday.
I was in Tallahassee all day for the annual Associated Press Florida 2004 Planning Session to see what the upcoming legislative session may be like.
First, the good news is that because it's an election year, our lawmakers will not want to spend any extra time in Tallahassee and they probably won't be as uncompromising as they appeared last year.
On the minds of many of the politicians who spoke to the group of editors and statehouse reporters was Gov. Jeb Bush's proposed $55 billion budget. It depends on whom you ask as to how deep and far the cuts may go to meet Bush's budget.
House Speaker Johhnie Byrd thinks it's doable, but Senate President Jim King doesn't. These two might be picking up where they left off last year.
And thankfully, the "pregnant pig" amendment in 2002 caused enough consternation that lawmakers want to make it hard for citizens to change the constitution. I'd hate to think we are known for the pregnant pig amendment, but Florida is. Projects like this that were pushed by petition drives are kind of frightening.
Something I like to think our lawmakers will put back in place is the "Back-to-School" sales tax holiday that would allow consumers the chance to buy clothing and other items without paying a sales tax. This is done in Georgia and South Carolina twice a year and really helps boost the local economy. I'd settle for the August break since we can't get Easter as well.
Another issue that hits close to home is funding for community colleges. With Lake City home to Lake City Community College, we'll be watching intently as Bush's budget seeks passage.
Bush made news recently by releasing a budget that showed a funding increase for community colleges. It's a step in the right direction, but will it be enough?
A couple of health-related issues also will be addressed. You've read about it and it's evident today. Obesity is a problem. Finding a way to get students in better shape and dealing with skyrocketing health costs related to obesity are issues.
Gov. Bush used Tuesday's forum to unveil some reforms to increase access to affordable, quality health care.
According to their stats, 2.8 million Floridians have no health insurance. Of the uninsured, 55 percent cite affordability as the main reason. It's the mission of our governor and his lieutenant governor to remove economic barriers that prevent some from obtaining health insurance.
I'd say that's a pretty darn good start. We'll see what our lawmakers think when they convene March 2 and take up the proposed reforms.
Kathy Nelson is executive editor of the Lake City Reporter. You can reach her by phone, (386)754-0428; fax, 752-9400; mail, P.O. Box 1709, Lake City, FL 32056; in person, 180 E. Duval St. in downtown Lake City; or by e-mail, knelson@lakecityreporter.com. Her column runs on Wednesdays.
I was in Tallahassee all day for the annual Associated Press Florida 2004 Planning Session to see what the upcoming legislative session may be like.
First, the good news is that because it's an election year, our lawmakers will not want to spend any extra time in Tallahassee and they probably won't be as uncompromising as they appeared last year.
On the minds of many of the politicians who spoke to the group of editors and statehouse reporters was Gov. Jeb Bush's proposed $55 billion budget. It depends on whom you ask as to how deep and far the cuts may go to meet Bush's budget.
House Speaker Johhnie Byrd thinks it's doable, but Senate President Jim King doesn't. These two might be picking up where they left off last year.
And thankfully, the "pregnant pig" amendment in 2002 caused enough consternation that lawmakers want to make it hard for citizens to change the constitution. I'd hate to think we are known for the pregnant pig amendment, but Florida is. Projects like this that were pushed by petition drives are kind of frightening.
Something I like to think our lawmakers will put back in place is the "Back-to-School" sales tax holiday that would allow consumers the chance to buy clothing and other items without paying a sales tax. This is done in Georgia and South Carolina twice a year and really helps boost the local economy. I'd settle for the August break since we can't get Easter as well.
Another issue that hits close to home is funding for community colleges. With Lake City home to Lake City Community College, we'll be watching intently as Bush's budget seeks passage.
Bush made news recently by releasing a budget that showed a funding increase for community colleges. It's a step in the right direction, but will it be enough?
A couple of health-related issues also will be addressed. You've read about it and it's evident today. Obesity is a problem. Finding a way to get students in better shape and dealing with skyrocketing health costs related to obesity are issues.
Gov. Bush used Tuesday's forum to unveil some reforms to increase access to affordable, quality health care.
According to their stats, 2.8 million Floridians have no health insurance. Of the uninsured, 55 percent cite affordability as the main reason. It's the mission of our governor and his lieutenant governor to remove economic barriers that prevent some from obtaining health insurance.
I'd say that's a pretty darn good start. We'll see what our lawmakers think when they convene March 2 and take up the proposed reforms.
Kathy Nelson is executive editor of the Lake City Reporter. You can reach her by phone, (386)754-0428; fax, 752-9400; mail, P.O. Box 1709, Lake City, FL 32056; in person, 180 E. Duval St. in downtown Lake City; or by e-mail, knelson@lakecityreporter.com. Her column runs on Wednesdays.
