Action Alert – Help Repeal The Gasoline Ethanol Requirement!
Posted by NCF912Project
This is something we can do! Please pass this on to friends/family who may be interested and wish to make phone calls!
HELP Repeal Gasoline Ethanol Requirement
Ethanol is form of alcohol that is made from plants that is added to gasoline as a result of a Florida state mandate. Ethanol does not burn as efficiently as gasoline and costs each of us 1-2 miles per gallon. It also causes problems in older engines that have not been designed to burn ethanol.
Most ethanol is made from corn and its production is subsidized by the federal government. As a result, world ethanol production has tripled between 2000 and 2007. This has driven up the cost of corn and other grains resulting in increased food prices. SB238 will repeal the requirement to put ethanol in gasoline in Florida.
Issue: “Renewable Fuel Standard Act Repeal” SB238
Facts: SB238 is a bill sponsored by Senator Greg Evers repealing the “Renewable Fuel Standard Act” which relates to Ethanol in your gas.
• Bill will be heard in committee on Weds November 2, 2011 from 11:00am-1:00pm .
• We need to let Senator Evers know that we are there supporting this bill. There is a companion bill in the House that is sponsored by Representative Matt Gaetz.
Action Step:
Contact the below committee members in Tallahassee Tuesday during office hours and Wednesday before 11:00am, ask them to support this bill.
Chair: Senator Andy Gardiner (R) 850) 487-5047,
Vice Chair: Senator Christopher L. “Chris” Smith (D) 850) 487-5112
Senator Thad Altman (R) 850) 487-5053
Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) (850) 487-5356
Senator Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff (R) (850) 487-5100
Senator Oscar Braynon, II (D) (850) 487-5116
Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R) (850) 487-5109
Senator Greg Evers (R) (850) 487-5000 (Just let him know we are supporting this bill)
Senator Mike Fasano (R) (850) 487-5062
Senator Anitere Flores (R) 850) 487-5130
Senator Arthenia L. Joyner (D) (850) 487-5059
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn (R) (850) 487-5033
Senator Gwen Margolis (D) 850) 487-5121
Senator Joe Negron (R) 850) 487-5088
Senator Maria Lorts Sachs (D) (850) 487-5091
Update on Septic Tank Inspection Issue
Posted by NCF912Project
Please take the time this week to contact the officials below and let them know that we want a repeal of SB 550; and they need to get that done before the session ends on May 6th!
I know this is Easter week, but I am asking you to please take the time to read this important information and then act on it. We are down to the wire on the septic tank issue as session ends in May, and it is not clear to any of us as to what will happen. I am going to give you a quick update on the septic tank issue and then action steps you need to take.
Status report on repeal of SB550:
HB13 - Rep. Coley’s bill has made it through all committees, passed through the house and is now in the senate. It is a full repeal with no amendments. Rep. Coley has stood her ground and has not given into any changes. She is due our thanks.
SB168 – Senator Evers bill went through the Health Committee and is stuck in the Environmental Committee. All committee meetings are done except for Budget, so his bill is probably lost, unless they can pull a maneuver to get it out, which doesn’t look likely.
SB1698 – Senator Dean’s bill is the only bill that has moved at all in the Senate committees. It has cleared three committees with only one senator voting against it, which was Senator Storms in the Community Affairs Committee, she also voted against the original SB550. She is due our thanks.
SB1698 Current Status:
It is a 22 page bill with the septic tank language of SB550 stricken and replaced by another ordinance plan with standards set for the counties who will be required to implement an ordinance. This bill has been amended 20 times as it moved through the committees and it is my understanding that it is possible it will be amended before it gets into budget.
SB1698 gives the responsibility for the ordinance to the individual counties, including the cost of the program. The counties who have Magnitude One Springs or those counties with bodies of water where the Total Maximum Load for nutrients or bacteria has been established cannot opt out. According to figures received from FDEP, there are only 11 counties that this criteria has not been established in. (If you need those counties, please e-mail me). But, don’t get too comfortable if your county is among the 11 who can opt out because it is clear that as FDEP continues their water analysis it is only a matter of time before those 11 counties will be included. So, basically this bill will be a SB550, it will just take a little longer to include all counties in the state.
SB1698 should be brought up in the Budget Committee either Monday April 26 or April 27, we won’t know until 48 hours out (which will probably be Friday) which day it will be on the agenda, so it is important to contact everyone this week.
Because SB1698 and HB13 are so totally opposite in their wording, SB1698 could go into Conference Committee. I am trying to get information on what that is now and will get back with you as soon as I get the information.
Action Step this Week:
If you don’t act now, we could end up with SB550 on July 1, 2011!
I have provided phone numbers and fax numbers for the Budget Committee offices in Tallahassee and their districts. I would recommend faxing, if possible, fill their trays to overflowing. You should have your district office numbers for your senator, if not, here is the website link http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/ . It is up to you now, this is our last shot at trying to turn things around.
Most legislators will be in their home districts this week, so it will be up to you to contact those offices, I have listed the Budget Committee contact below, but it is very important that you contact ALL Senators, we have to put the pressure on them before they vote on the floor. They can strike all language right up to the last minute on the floor, so it is important that you make that contact. Next week will be too late, make an appointment with your legislator this week while they are home, fax them if you can’t reach them by phone. Also contact the Tallahassee offices, leave a message if no one answers.
What to tell them,
(use your own words, this is the basic information):
There is nothing in the current version of SB1698 that provides any reliable estimate or cap on the cost to already cash-strapped counties or residents, which makes this another unfunded, mandated law. The cost/benefit analysis and estimate of predictable, measurable improvements to water quality or human health is non-existent. The bill has been subject to amendments influenced by special interest groups as is evident in the video tapes of committee meetings. In the case of our state bureaucracies, their opinions have influenced lawmakers, but no credible quantitative or scientific justification has been offered to support their opinions or recommendations. Ask them to introduce an amendment that strikes all the inspection provisions contained in SB1698, so that it addresses repeal only and becomes a companion bill to Representative Coley’s bill, HB13. The issue of inspections can then be addressed when Phase III of the Nitrogen Reduction Study is completed, and there is proof of the need for a statewide septic tank inspection program and that there are cost-effective solutions in place to address any environmental or public health issues that septic systems may be causing.
Contact the Officials Below
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS – District Offices with fax numbers if available
Chair – Senator JD Alexander
850-487-5044; 863-679-4847 (Fax) 863-679-4851
Vice Chair – Senator Joe Negron
850-487-5088; 772-219-1665 (Fax) 772-219-1666
Senator Thad Altman
850-487-5053; 321-752-3138
Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto
850-487-5356; 561-753-2440;239-433-6599 (Fax) 239-433-6604
Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff
850-487-5100; 954-467-4205 (Fax) 954-467-4207
Senator Mike Fasano
850-487-5062; 727-848-5885 (fax) 727-841-4453
Senator Anitere Flores
850-487-5130 ; 305-270-6550
Senator Don Gaetz
850-487-5009 ; 850-897-5747 (Fax) 850-833-3910
Senator Alan Hays
850-487-5014 ;352-742-6441 (Fax) 352-360-6748; 386-736-5048 (fax) 386-736-5049
Senator Arthenia Joyner
850-487-5059; 813-233-4277 (Fax) 813-233-4280
Senator Evelyn Lynn
850-487-5033; 386-238-3180 (Fax) 386-238-3179;352-694-0160
Senator Gwen Margolis
850-487-5121; 305-570-5777
Senator Bill Montford
850-487-5004 N/A
Senator Nan Rich
850-487-5103; 954-747-7933
Senator Garrett Richter
850-487-5124; 239-417-6205;239-338-2777 (Fax) 239-338-2779
Senator David Simmons
850-487-5050; 407-262-7578
Senator Gary Siplin
850-487-5190; 407-297-2071 (Fax) 407-522-2153
Senator Eleanor Sobel
850-487-5097; 954-924-3693 (Fax) 954-924-3695
Senator John Thrasher
850-487-5368; 904-727-3600 (Fax) 904-727-3603
Senator Stephen Wise
850-487-5027; 904-381-6000 (Fax) 904-381-6040
Remember: you can go to www.flsenate.gov or www.myfloridahouse.gov for more information on the bills, and information on the other Senators, Representatives you may need to contact.
Welcome to our Blog
Posted by NCF912Project
The North Central Florida 9.12 Project is a group of concerned citizens (democrats, republicans, and independents) who are concerned about where our nation is heading. Our goals are to:
- Educate
- Evaluate
- Motivate