Palm Beach County, along with the School District, the League of Cities, and the Economic Council have developed a joint legislative agenda for this year's State legislative session in Tallahassee.  These entities, supported by our lobbying teams, work to protect the interests of our local communities. 

Of paramount importance is defending home rule authority.  This is to ensure that preemptions are not passed that can prevent local governments from responding to constituents needs.  We seek to support sound legislation while blocking shortsighted bills that can result in unfunded mandates to city and county governments.  This is essential to being able to maintain current levels of service to the public.

Here is a summary of the issues and initiatives we have identified as priorities for the 2020 session:

• Affordable Housing/Homelessness:  Homeless programs require a dedicated revenue stream. The Sadowski Housing Trust Fund should be restricted to appropriations for affordable and workforce-housing projects, as was the intent of the Fund.
  
  
• Substance Abuse/Sober Homes/Mental Health:   Based on the recommendations of the Sober Homes Task Force, we urge the legislature to support programs for life saving interventions, medically assisted detox, and diversions from the criminal justice system for those suffering from opioid addiction.  Additionally, we are requesting the legislature to provide additional beds for mental health treatment, with a focus on youth services.
  
  
• Water and Natural Resources:  The federally funded Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is the most critical, long-term environmental project in Florida, and there are significant projects in our county affecting our water resources and ecosystems that tie into those efforts.  We are asking for the legislature's continued support and funding for projects to restore and maintain Lake Okeechobee, the Loxahatchee River, and the Lake Worth Lagoon.  Additionally, we are seeking policy changes and a recurring $50M appropriation benefitting beach management, funding for Glades Region infrastructure improvements, funding to help residents convert from septic to sewer systems, and legislation to enhance the development of alternate water supply sources.
  
  
• Hurricane Response and Preparedness:  Palm Beach County supports a public records exemption that protects residents from vendors seeking their information in the aftermath of a storm.
  
  
• Transportation/Glades Regional Initiatives:  We support funding to provide much needed improvements in the Glades, including road resurfacing, workforce and career training, water facilities, rail transportation, ecotourism, and development of an inland port – all of which contribute to the economic growth of the region.
  
  
• Criminal Justice:  We support diversion programs, re-entry efforts, and alternatives to detention for juvenile offenders.  This requires upgrades to juvenile detention centers and Department of Children and Families facilities.
  
  
• PreK-12 Education:  We support an increase in the Base Student Allocation to provide meaningful salary increases to all PreK-12 teachers and support staff; expansion of Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs; enhancement of career and technical education programs; creation of a dedicated revenue stream for safety and mental health reforms mandated by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act; and, the requirement for accountability and standards for all schools, including school hardening, safety and security.
  
  
• Palm Beach State College and Florida Atlantic University:  Increase operational funding and capital outlays to complete medical and life science facilities.
  
  
• Economic Development:  Fund incentive programs that support economic growth, workforce housing and financial stability for regional businesses.
  
  
• Short-Term Vacation Rentals:  We strongly support legislation to repeal the state preemption of the regulation of short term/vacation rental properties to allow local governments to regulate these properties to protect the health and welfare of residents, visitors and businesses.  Unfortunately, a bill (SB 1128) has been proposed which could unravel any form of local vacation rental oversight and regulation.  This bill, if passed, would have the effect of preempting inspection, licensing and occupancy limits to the state.  This is particularly concerning, as it pertains to commercial uses in residential neighborhoods.  Several constituents in District 1 have complained to me about the operation of short-term rentals in their communities that have created nuisances, including excessive traffic, parking concerns, noise, and possible criminal activity.  Some short-term rental operators are suspected of illegally converting single-family homes into multi-family units.  We think local regulation is essential to protecting the integrity of our established neighborhoods and preserving our quality of life.
  
  

I urge you to make your opinions known to your State Representative and Senator on these and other statewide issues of importance to you.  Your voter registration card will indicate in which Florida House and Senate districts you reside.  Here are the State elected officials representing North County:

Representative Rick Roth, Delegation Chair                Representative Mike Caruso
District 85                                                                          District 89
561-625-5176; rick.roth@myfloridahouse.gov           561-750-2396; mike.caruso@myfloridahouse.gov

Senator Gayle Harrell                                                       Senator Bobby Powell
District 25                                                                           District 30
772-221-4019; Harrell.gayle.web@flsenate.gov          561-650-6880; Powell.bobby.web@flsenate.gov

As always, you are welcome to contact me at (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.  My staff and I are happy to assist you.