Energy Bill – HB 7117 update
Posted by NCF912Project
In our last newsletter we asked you to call Governor Scott and ask him to veto the “Energy Bill” HB 7117. As of this writing (April 11, 2012), he has not taken any action. Someone suggested calling his office again and suggesting that if he doesn’t want to veto it; to please send it back to the Legislature for an impact study on the impact a hurricane would have on wind and solar operations.
The Governor’s number is 1-850-488-7146, press 2 and leave a voicemail.
You can read through this bill at: www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/7117/BillText/er/PDF and a summary is available at: www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2012/html/77
SB 1994 – Polytechnic University Bill
Posted by NCF912Project
Another bill that the Tea Party Network is asking us to call the Governor is SB 1994. You can read this bill at:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1994/BillText/er/PDF
This bill appropriates $16,000,000 to create Florida Polytechnic University among other things. Is this what we need to be doing when we are being told that Florida is in a financial bind? You can read the summary at:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2012/html/246 and then please make up your own mind about whether the Governor should sign this bill!
Septic Tank Inspection Update – March 24, 2012
Posted by NCF912Project
HB 1263, a bill which included an amendment to repeal the statewide septic tank inspection program was passed on the last day of the Florida Legislative session. It has been reported that this is a complete repeal, but Section 381.00651 (2) says: a county or municipality that contains a first magnitude spring shall, by no later than January 1, 2013 either adopt an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system evaluation and assessment program that meets the requirements of this section, or…adopt a resolution opting out of the requirements. This will require a 60% majority vote and “indicate an intent on the part of such local government not to adopt an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system evaluation and assessment program.”
Most of our North Central Florida counties have a first magnitude spring, including Alachua, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison and Suwannee.
Please contact your County Commission, City Council, etc. and ask that they begin to work on this as soon as possible. A lady with our organization also found some information that may also affect septic tank inspections; this information will be coming soon!
SB 820 Passes Budget Committee – on to the Full Senate
Posted by NCF912Project
Thanks to everyone who made phone calls to Senator Alexander and other members of the budget committee in order to get SB 820 on the agenda. It was passed by this committee (March 1st) by a vote of 19 – 2. We will have to watch carefully to be sure that it makes it to the floor of the Senate (a problem last year). This bill is not a total repeal of the Septic Tank Inspection part of SB 550 which was passed 2 years ago. It will require counties that have a first magnitude spring to opt out of an inspection program. We will have to work with our individual counties when the time comes.
You can read this bill at: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0820/BillText/c2/HTML and
Track the bill at: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0820
Constitutional Convention Bill Introduced in Florida
Posted by NCF912Project
On Tuesday, January 10, 2012 House Concurrent Resolution 8005, was introduced to the Florida State House of Representatives. Bill HCR 8005 applies for the Congress of the United States to call a convention for proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to provide for a balanced budget amendment (BBA).
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION by Ahern
Balanced Federal Budget Amendment; Urges Congress to call convention for purpose of proposing amendment to U.S. Constitution to achieve & maintain balanced federal budget.
However noble this proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution may be in its attempt to balance the federal budget, grant the President the power of a line-item veto, and the adoptions of budgets to be submitted and adopted every two years rather than every year, the calling of a general Article V convention is not the proper route that should be taken to make or propose such an amendment to the Constitution.
The last time that such a convention was convened was in Philadelphia in 1787 when General George Washington, James Madison, and the various delegates from the thirteen United States assembled to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation — the law of the land at the time.
Although called to strengthen and centralize the national government, the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 was convened to amend the Articles of Confederation rather than replace them. We were lucky then, seeing as the convention resulted in such an excellent Constitution. We were also fortunate to have had enlightened statesmen and drafters, such as James Madison, who understood the Lockean virtues and principles of individual liberty and limited government. Looking back, who among us today comes close to exemplifying the virtues of our Founding Fathers?
The answer is too few and far between, if any at all. The proposal for a second Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) promoted by so-called conservatives would likely result in a runaway convention in which extremist or revolutionary elements could hijack the convention and alter the Constitution to include harmful amendments, such as “second generation” or “positive” socialist rights while curtailing our nation’s traditional negative rights that protect our liberties from the government.
What we need is not for the States to revise the Constitution, but rather to restore and enforce it as our Founding Fathers originally intended. We should not risk the passage of a Con-Con call no matter how appealing it may be. You now have the ability to help stop Florida from calling upon Congress to authorize such a convention. Contact your State Representative and State Senator now and urge him or her to oppose the passage of HCR 8005, H 499 and S 1142, and if it does come to a vote on the floor to vote NAY on the bill.
Septic Tank Inspection Repeal Bill
Posted by NCF912Project
There are several bills in committee that may Repeal the Septic Tank Inspection part of SB 550. Please take a few minutes to look the bills over, especially the one sponsored by Senator Dean, and let the appropriate Senators/Representatives know what your opinion is!
Go to: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/178 to view the information on these bills.
SB 238 – Ethanol Repeal Update
Posted by NCF912Project
This was sent through the Tea Party Network:
Posted on December 30, 2011 by John Collins
SB 238: Stuck in committee, please help.
SB 238: Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act
GENERAL BILL by Evers; (CO-INTRODUCER) Gaetz
Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act; Repealing the Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act, to remove the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in this state include a percentage of ethanol, subject to specified exemptions, waivers, suspensions, extensions, enforcement, and reporting; conforming a cross-reference, etc.
Senate Committee References: Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities (CU), Commerce and Tourism (CM)
Location: In committee/council (CM)
Last Action: 11/22/2011 On Committee agenda– Commerce and Tourism, 12/07/11, 9:30 am, 401 Senate Office Building –Temporarily Postponed (TP)
http://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Committees/2010-2012/CM/MeetingRecords/Meeting_packet_for_Dec_7.pdf
The link above on pp 135-149 show the scheduled speakers from the public. There were 6 slated to speak against the bill and only 2 to speak for it. No one was allowed to speak. The bill was “TP’ed”. Senator Lynn had a change of heart about the bill (since her vote to repeal in the first committee—10 yes, 1 no, BTW)fearing the possible loss of jobs (by ethanol plants being planned/built). She wanted more time to think about it. I think that she and another senator had been approached by ethanol companies since the first committee meeting. The chair, Nancy Detert was against the bill. Now if it fails to pass committee, the senators wouldn’t experience any political fallout from a committee vote.
Most of the speakers against the repeal were executives of ethanol plant companies: Highlands Enviro Fuels, Ineos Bio, Benchmark Designs and Florida Bioenergy Association. Besides Richard Harrison a tea party member, speaking for the bill was Bonnie Bashani of Boat US in Tallahassee. (See the weblink above) I think we needed more support at the meeting for the bill.
We need to work on the Senate Committee members (Commerce and Tourism) to persuade them of the damage being done to consumers by this stupid law. The committee members are: Lynn, Dockery, Detert, Montford (for the repeal), Ring, and Flores. Chair:
Senator Nancy C. Detert (R)
Vice Chair:
Senator Paula Dockery (R)
Senator Anitere Flores (R)
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn (R)
Senator Bill Montford (D)
Senator Jeremy
Video of the committee meeting was not available.
Observation: it isn’t fair that 1 powerful Senate Committee can kill a repeal which might otherwise pass if allowed to go to the floor. We MUST change this practice—somehow. The Senate Environmental Conservation & Preservation Committee killed the septic tank law repeal last year—by themselves!
Note: Not only do they work against us they use our tax dollars to do it.
The Highlands EnviroFuels, LLC project was awarded a $7 million grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Farm to Fuel Program to be used for project development and for the purchase of plant and equipment.
To follow ths bill go to: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0238; if you think that it is only fair that this bill get out of committee and be sent to the full Legislature for a vote, please contact the members of this committee and ask them to put it on their agenda!
Ethanol Mandate Repeal Bill
Posted by NCF912Project
This is an important update regarding HB 4013, a bill to repeal the burdensome Florida Ethanol Mandate.
Energy and Utilities Subcommittee Chairman Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) has shown great leadership by placing this bill on the agenda for December 8, 2011 at 8:00am EST.
Please contact the legislators listed below who are members of the Energy and Utilities Subcommittee. Ask them to support HB 4013 by calling their offices or emailing them directly.
Rep. Ben Albritton (850) 488-9465 ben.albritton@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Lori Berman (850) 488-1662 lori.berman@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Jeff Clemens (850) 488-0260 jeff.clemens@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Janet Cruz (850) 488-9460 janet.cruz@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Daniel Davis (850) 488-5102 daniel.davis@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Shawn Harrison (850) 488-3087 shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Clay Ingram (850) 488-8278 clay.ingram@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. George R. Moraitis, Jr. (850) 488-0635 george.moraitis@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Peter Nehr (850) 488-5580 peter.nehr@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Kathleen C. Passidomo (850) 488-4487 kathleen.passidomo@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Scott Plakon (850) 488-2231 scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Elizabeth W. Porter (850) 488-9835 elizabeth.porter@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (850) 488-0965 michelle.rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. W. Gregory ”Greg” Steube (850) 488-6341 greg.steube@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Alan B. Williams (A) (850) 488-1798 alan.williams@myfloridahouse.gov
(Please call and email these representatives early next week and encourage them on this bill!
Help Fight the Fish & Wildlife and AGENDA 21
Posted by NCF912Project
We need at least 1,500 people to call Senator Nelson! Please help fight the Fish & Wildlife and AGENDA 21 takeover of our waters!
For updates on this issue please visit the Posted in: Pending & New Laws | Comments(0) July 2011
Septic Tank Inspection Update – May 18, 2011
Posted by NCF912Project
Within 30 days of the end of Florida’s legislative session, the Governor must sign or veto the budget and laws considered and passed by the House and Senate. Governor Scott also has line item veto authority, which means he can veto any single line item or portion of the budget provisions.
There are two items of extreme importance to all septic owners. If you have not already contacted the Governor’s office asking for his support of these two items, please do so as soon as possible. We have provided a sample message, but please use your own words. PLEASE DO THIS TODAY. THANK YOU!
MESSAGE to GOVERNOR SCOTT:
Dear Governor Scott,
There are two items waiting for your signature that are of extreme importance to me and more than 2.5 million other homeowners and businesses who rely on septic systems as their basic sewage treatment method. Approval of these two items will ensure that millions of taxpayer dollars are not wasted, and that the state agency that is charged with developing a septic inspection program does so with accountability.
SB2002, Section 13, Line Items 218-227. Please approve this budget implementation provision.
The Senate and House of Representatives have amended SB550, requiring the Dept. of Health, Bureau of On-Site Sewage to develop a septic inspection implementation plan and submit the plan and its costs to the Legislative Budget Committee before spending any money on the SB550 inspection mandate. This is the first time anyone has asked this agency to be accountable for their rule-making and program plan. Given the history of this government agency to pass rules without regard to cost to the state or the taxpayer, this oversight is necessary.
SB2002, Budget Item 465 Please approve funding for Phase III of the Nitrogen Reduction Study.
The results of this essential on-going study will be available when Phase III is completed. Without this funding, not only will Phase I and II funding be wasted, but 2.5 million septic system owners all over the state will be subject to rules and regulations that have no basis in fact, and no affordable alternatives to reduce nutrients other than un-proven “performance-based” systems – whose cost to businesses and homeowners will be measured in billions. Florida Tax Watch has endorsed this expenditure as a wise investment of tax funds.
Please approve these two items. Thank you.
(Add your name and contact information)
Mailing Address and E-Mail Address for Governor Scott
Office of Governor Rick Scott
State of Florida
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee FL 32399-0001