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Office Information:
1013 E. Michigan Street
Orlando, FL 32806
407-428-5800
Fax: 407-428-5802
330 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-487-5047
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Dear
Andrea,
It
has been an exciting first week of session. We have many important
tasks ahead, with two of those being the state's budget and
redistricting. The Governor set a tone of cooperation in his State of
the State speech, and I look forward to working with him to tackle
the important tasks ahead. Please stay involved and in touch along
the way. Thank you.
Andy
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Florida Begins Its 114th
Legislative Session
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On Tuesday, President Mike Haridopolos,
R-Merritt Island, ushered Florida into its 114th Legislative
Session.
There is no question that we face another
challenging budget year with limited resources. We will
diligently look at all options in order to balance the budget while
responsibly meeting critical needs. Along with the state's budget,
crafting and passing a fair and timely redistricting plan that meets
state and federal requirements will remain a priority.
Our focus is to make sound decisions that renew
and bolster Florida as a place of opportunity and as the best place
in the nation to call home. To help get Florida back
on track, it is important that we continue to pursue public policies
that foster opportunities for economic growth and let businesses
thrive without government standing in the way.
The busy opening week of session included the
Senate passing important claim bills that will provide relief to two
Floridians. Senate Bill 2 by President Haridopolos provides William
Dillon with financial relief after he spent 27 years wrongfully
incarcerated. Also passing the Senate on opening day was a bill by
Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Ft. Myers. SB 4 provides financial
relief to Eric Brody, whose life was forever altered the day he was
struck by a Broward County Sheriff's Deputy's vehicle.
"I firmly believe that it is never too
late to do the right thing, and today, we voted to do the right
thing," said Haridopolos.
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Bill Regarding
Septic Inspections Moves Forward
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Senator Charlie Dean, R- Inverness, believes Florida's
one-size-fits-all statewide septic system inspection program should
be changed. Dean's bill relating to onsite sewage treatment and
disposal systems, Senate Bill 820, passed unanimously Monday from the
Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, coming
one step closer to providing Florida with more local septic
options
The
measure will ultimately repeal the onerous statewide inspection
program, established through SB 550 in 2010, and replace it with an
optional, standard septic system inspection program for all counties
and municipalities to be administered by county health
departments.
"Florida
is a state with diverse landscapes and communities," added Dean.
"Septic system evaluations and assessment programs should be
determined locally so we are not recklessly wasting taxpayer dollars.
We've vetted the options and gained feedback from constituents. It is
evident that the current, mandated approach is just not necessary
across the entire state. SB 820 is a simple approach that makes
sense."
The
bill's next stops are the Senate Health Regulation Committee followed
by the Budget Committee.
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If
you would like additional information on any legislation moving
through the process, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
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