Palmetto Bay hit with the LINE ITEM VETO!

The Florida Legislature giveth, but the governor took it away (line item Veto). The Palmetto Bay appropriation for the Multi-Modal project was vetoed by Governor Scott today (Friday, March 16, 2018).  

The entire veto list can be viewed online.  Governor Scott Vetoed $64 Million worth of line items.

This is why we don't count our chickens.  This post is in follow up of the prior post of March 14, 2018, Governor Scott to decide if Palmetto Bay receives State Money for its Multi-Model project.

Thank you to our State Representative Michael Bileca and State Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez for their assistance.

We move on, living within our budget means.

Governor Scott to decide if Palmetto Bay receives State Money for its Multi-Modal project

The legislature placed the money in the budget, but the final decision belongs to Governor Rick Scott.

The money made it into the budget, but do NOT start counting the chickens. The question is whether the multi-model money will survive Governor Scott’s line item veto pen.

The Multi-Modal line item was discussed at our March Regular Village Council meeting when I set up an extraordinary telephone call in report from our State Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez.  We also thank our Representative Michael Bileca who sponsored this appropriation in HB 3821.

See Miami Herald, Which local projects in the state budget will survive? It’s up to Gov. Scott’s veto, by Elizabeth Koh And Steve Bousquet, March 13, 2018.

As stated:

Scott’s pen is the final hurdle for hundreds of local projects sponsored by lawmakers for constituents back home — but it is a high hurdle to vault. The governor has slashed more money from the budget — about $2.3 billion in line-item spending, not counting last year’s school budget — than any other Florida chief executive, calling much of that spending unnecessary or wasteful.

Many of those local projects are standard municipal fare, including money for water and sewer projects, housing, transit, emergencies, and local cultural and educational projects. They are also a fraction of the projects proposed by legislators every year during session — others never even make it into the state budget, blocked by legislative leaders who have final negotiating power on its contents before it is sent to the governor.

We are working to try to survive the 2018 veto pen. 

Here is a link to the 2018 legislative priorities that I prepared and sponsored this year. It was approved unanimously  See: (CLICK HERE) Palmetto Bay Resolution 2018-17.

Productive day in Tallahassee: Mayors Eugene Flinn of Palmetto Bay and Peggy Bell of Cutler Bay testify before the House Accountability Committee - advocating for the original intent of 1/2 cent transportation sales tax

A single-day legislative fly in was held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.  This was a very productive day in Tallahassee. Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell and I were asked to appear before the House Accountability Committee advocating for the original intent of 1/2 cent transportation sales tax. 

Sometimes opportunities/responsibilities arise quickly, and it is important that we be as responsive to our legislative partners, as we ask them to be responsive to us.  It was Monday, 2/12/2018, during a legislative conference call that Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell and I spoke directly with State Representative Bryan Avila (R - Miami) (sponsor of HB 243) and House Minority Leader Kionne L. McGhee regarding an important hearing the bill had scheduled on 2/13 before the full House Government Accountability Committee.  It was at this late afternoon meeting (2/12) that Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell and I were asked to appear before the House Accountability Committee advocating for the original intent of 1/2 cent transportation sales tax.

Preparation was important and time extremely limited - working with our managers (Ed Silva and Ralph Casals) - we put together and I brought forward an add on resolution (Palmetto Bay Resolution 2018-23) at the Village Council Meeting held that same day (Monday, 2/12/2018).  This resolution was originally co-sponsored by Council Member David Singer. The resolution found a third sponsor and was approved as prepared.

Once in Tallahassee, we met personally with the Committee Chair, Matt Caldwell (R) and Democratic Ranking Member Rep. Barbara Watson prior to testifying before the full committee. Rep. Holly Raschein sits on this committee and met with us to hear our concerns as well.  Rep. Raschein has always been a good friend to both Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay.

Above left - meeting with Comm Chair, Matt Caldwell
Above right, meeting with Rep. Holly Raschein

The Government Accountability Committee reported favorably on HB 243 by a 17-6 vote after much dilberation.  

Meeting with Rep. Barbara Watson

Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay continue to work together for traffic solutions for our South Miami-Dade area.

Both Mayor Peggy Bell and I used our time in Tallahassee to advocate for our entire municipal legislative agendas.  I meet with our House and Senate officials locally, telephonically or in Tallahassee – at their offices, in the hallways or even at the airport.  The weather of Tuesday evening provided Mayor Bell and I with an opportunity not to be wasted – we were resourceful in turning a 2-hour flight delay into time to really dive deep into legislative issues of the session with our State Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez.

Meeting with Sen Jose Javier Rodriguez