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Capitol
2010 Legislative Preview: Setting the Table
A look at the key issues that will shape the next session, which starts in March.
Environment
The state pulled Florida Forever funding last year. [Photo: Carlton Ward Jr.] |
Florida Forever
A broad coalition of environmental groups is pushing for the state to restore funding to Florida Forever, the state’s land conservation program. Faced with a severe budget shortfall, the Legislature last year pulled funding for the state’s premier land-buying program. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum, both of whom are running for governor, have joined with the Florida Forever Coalition in asking lawmakers to back documentary stamp taxes for Florida Forever bonding. With just $15 million in state revenue, the program could raise up to $300 million annually for land acquisition.
Renewable Energy, Round Two
Last year, the Senate passed a sweeping renewable energy package that would have required utilities to produce 20% of their energy through renewable and clean energy sources by 2020. (Fifteen percent of that total would have to come from true renewables like solar and wind technologies, while the remaining 5% could come from nuclear and clean coal technology.) But when Senate leaders refused to take up Rep. Dean Cannon’s (R-Winter Park) oil drilling bill, the House took a pass on the Senate’s renewable energy policy.
Lawmakers are likely to take another stab at energy legislation this year, though Republicans seem averse to any sort of renewable portfolio standard. Instead, look for legislation directing the Public Service Commission to order utilities to undertake more renewable energy projects and to incorporate more renewable energy sources into their portfolios.
Rep. Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota), a member of the Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning, hopes his colleagues take more interest in the topic this year. “We know that renewable energy is going to be a growth industry nationally and internationally, and Florida is well-situated to be an exporter of these products. I hope it’s not a quiet year. I hope it is a year where it comes back.”