2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN THE HOME RULEHEADLINES AN FLC REPORT
“Florida Legislature’s efforts “Legislative preemptions old to undermine home rule reach and new show why local control ‘dangerous level’” often best” TCPalm Naples Daily News
“Legislature keeps eroding “Tallahassee overreaches home rule” once again” St. Augustine Record Gainesville Sun
“Legislature takes threat to local “Local governments don’t need governance to whole new level” legislative micromanaging” Pensacola News Journal Florida Times-Union
“Local decisions should “Tallahassee reaches too stay local” far down, again” Ocala StarBanner Florida Phoenix
“Pre-emption makes its “Florida mayors to state unwelcome return” lawmakers: Let us do our jobs Tampa Bay Times locally and you stick to the state stuff” “Home Rule Battle Heating Up Sarasota Herald-Tribune Across Florida” “A lust for control in Tallahassee” Florida Daily Orlando Sentinel
A summary of the news media’s coverage of the League’s priority issues, newspaper editorials in defense of self-government and published opinion-editorials by League members. “With straw-ban veto, DeSantis smacks around Florida legislators, stands up for local control. Good.” - Orlando Sentinel
“DeSantis’ first veto allows local governments to keep banning plastic straws” - Miami Herald
“Gov. DeSantis vetoes FL Legislature’s power grab GOVERNOR over plastic straws” - Florida Phoenix A number of Florida municipalities, including Sanibel,
DESANTIS SIDES Ft. Myers Beach and Miami Beach, have enacted ordinances prohibiting single-use plastic straws. These
measures have not, as far as I can tell, frustrated any WITH HOME state policy or harmed the state’s interests. ... “ “ RULE, VETOES Under these circumstances, the State should simply allow local communities to address this issue through the political process. Citizens who oppose plastic straw PLASTIC STRAW ordinances can seek recourse by electing people who share their views. PREEMPTION - Governor Ron DeSantis’ veto letter
BY THE NUMBERS MEDIA COVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA STATS
articles covering key issues total posts 515 316 editorials defending Home Rule 515,322 impressions 49 engagements articles recognizing 2019 Home 19,363 40 Rule Heroes 9,671 likes/reactions shares/retweets 23 articles advocating for Home Rule 1,731 opinion-editorials written by 1,067 comments/replies 20 League members other people talking about 8,045 FLC (on Facebook)
TOP 3 HASHTAGS #HOMERULE #WeLiveLocal #FLCnews KEY ISSUE COVERAGE AT A GLANCE
PLASTIC STRAW BANS COMMUNICATION SERVICES TAX
“Plastic Straw ‘Preemption’ “A faster internet is coming. Telecoms and Considered in Senate” cities are fighting over how soon and how fast.” News Service of Florida Orlando Sentinel
“Florida Legislature’s latest preemption frenzy “Cut to communications services tax
would sabotage plastic straw ban” gets cut from Senate bill” Sun Sentinel Florida Politics “ SHORT-TERM RENTALS ENERGY CHOICE AMENDMENT
“New poll shows Floridians strongly support “League of Cities worries Energy Choice local control of short-term rentals” measure will cripple cities” - Governor Ron DeSantis’ veto letter Florida Politics Florida Politics
“Bill threatens local authority on short-term “Energy Choice Amendment rentals | Thumb down” Draws Fire” TCPalm WLRN
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
“Republicans want to overhaul redevelopment “House bill would limit localities’ ability to agencies that help rebuild blighted areas” regulate scooter rentals” Florida Phoenix Northwest Florida Daily News total posts “Lawmakers target CRAs” “Cities know their streets and sidewalks best” St. Augustine Record Florida Politics impressions engagements HB 3 - PREEMPTION OF LOCAL REGULATIONS likes/reactions HB 5 - LOCAL TAX REFERENDA shares/retweets comments/replies “Legislature wants to make it harder for “Noxious bill would strip locals of ability voters to approve local taxes” to regulate business | Editorial” other people talking about Ocala StarBanner Orlando Sentinel FLC (on Facebook)
“Editorial: Florida Legislature must halt “Florida occupational licensing reform assault on local taxing authority” effort is dead for 2019” Palm Beach Post Florida Watchdog MEMBER OP-EDS OP-ED: An Op-Ed is a column or guest essay published in the opinion section of a newspaper, usually Opposite the Editorial page. Gainesville Sun Hawthorne Mayor Matt Surrency “Ask lawmakers ifthey supported localpriorities” Orlando Sentinel Orlando City Commissioners Tony Ortiz&Robert F. Stuart “Legislature must stop takingrights from city governments” Northwest FloridaDailyNews Fort Walton BeachCity Manager “Let CRAscontinue improving communities across Florida” Sun Sentinel Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan “Legislature frustrates localefforts to solve recycling crisis” NCFL Independent Fernandina BeachCity ManagerDaleMartin “City Manager:Hey Tallahassee, PleaseStop Telling UsWhat to Do” Sarasota Herald-Tribune Longboat Key Town Commissioner Ken Schneier “Schneier: Legislature rolls backhomerule” Palm BeachPost Boynton BeachCRA Executive Director MichaelSimon “Florida’s community redevelopment agenciesunderattack again” Medium Coral SpringsCity Commissioner JoshuaSimmons “Defense Against theState Legislature: ACall To Action” Tampa Bay Reporter Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters “Seminole Mayor to Legislature: Stay inYour OwnLane” News Chief FLC President Leo E.Longworth “Lawmakers shouldheedinputfrom localleaders”