Volume 4 - Issue 4 17 | April | 2015 Tallahassee Emerging Times . growing toward the future Leaders and FFVA board get a close-up look at Tallahassee Class 4 on the steps of the historic Capitol. Water legislation and Amendment 1 spend- concerns. Rep. Tom Goodson encouraged the ing dominated the conversations in Tallahassee group to stay involved with FFVA. “Don’t rest or among legislators and members of FFVA’s board you’ll get run over,” he said. “Keep working on the of directors and Class 4 of the Emerging Leader issues and don’t rest.” Goodson acknowledged program. The groups participated in FFVA’s an- the challenges of the political process these days. nual “drive-in” to the state capital to voice grow- “Anytime you have compromise, you have better ers’ concerns to lawmakers. government. When you have a supermajority The agenda was packed with back-to-back you run over people, and when it swings the meetings with members of both houses. The other way you’ll be eating something other than group also met with Agriculture Commissioner doughnuts,” he said. Adam Putnam, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, Rep. Halsey Beshears, a Tallahassee nursery SUSTAINING SPONSOR and Jon Steverson, the new secretary of the owner, told the group, “I’m glad you’re taking the Department of Environmental Protection. Rich time to be up here. You don’t realize the impact Budell of the Department of Agriculture and Con- you have when you come and talk to legislators.” sumer Services’ Office of Water Policy also talked The group also heard from lobbyist Mary Ann with the group about the department’s budget Gosa Hooks on the outlook for UF/IFAS’ budget needs this year. priorities. They have requested $5.5 million “to Several of the elected officials commended the put out the work product to serve our clientele participants for making the trip to discuss their through research and extension,” she said. 2 17 | April | 2015 Calhoun’s preview sets District’s diversity Edwards a bridge the tone for the trip brings challenges between parties on ag by Dan Bott by Nathan Decker Premier Citrus Management Monsanto by Teddy McAvoy Butch Calhoun, FFVA’s director of govern- Rep. Holly Raschein comes from one of State Rep. Katie Edwards of District 98, ment relations, provided a legislative over- the state’s most diverse districts, District which encompasses areas of southern view before we began our meetings with 120. It includes all of the beautiful Florida Broward County, met with the FFVA board lawmakers to discuss important bills that Keys and southern Miami/Dade County. It members and our leadership class during have been introduced for the 2015 Florida is a unique district because there is tourism our visit to the Florida State Capitol in Talla- legislative session. and a major city on one end and agriculture hassee. A Democrat, Edwards is an attorney Calhoun gave the group an overview of on the other. Yet that diversity can also be a by trade and serves on several committees, the structure of the Legislature, which is challenge. including the Agriculture and Natural Re- composed of 120 members of the House Raschein is facing a couple of issues sources Subcommittee (she is the Demo- of Representatives and 40 senators. The now, but the main one is funding. After cratic ranking member), Health and Human speaker of the House of Representatives the collapse of the housing market in Services Committee, Higher Education and and Senate president are elected by their 2008, funding has been a major concern Workforce Subcommittee and Judiciary prospective members. After their election, across the state. Property taxes are a main Committee. the speaker and Senate president assign revenue source of the state and without a In the current legislative session, Edwards committee appointments. strong housing market, state-funded pro- introduced a property rights bill to curb Proposed legislation must be drafted two grams suffer. Luckily, the jobs and housing overzealous, anti-business municipalities months before session and filed no later market have picked up in recent years so from abusing their power. The bill issues than noon on opening day. All bills must the economy in Florida is gaining strength. guidelines for staff to follow pertaining to pass through committee before they can And according to Raschein, her district is property rights issues. In addition, the bill move to the floor of either chamber. FFVA an expensive district to operate with some allows property owners to challenge uncon- priorities for the 2015 session are water expensive projects to fund. One is a $50 stitutional government actions. policy, Amendment 1 funding, ag sales tax million project to fund a Florida Keys waste- Edwards is a bridge between Democrats exemptions, the UF/IFAS budget, the FDACS water system. Raschein also is dealing with and Republicans for the agriculture indus- budget, assessments on non-residential farm a lack of workforce housing. In the next five try. She is a supporter of agriculture and buildings, liability protection for gleaning, years, she projects the need for 6,000 new its benefits to the economy and the state. commercial vehicle review board, property workers/jobs, and there is not housing to Much of this years’ focus in the Legislature is rights, agritourism, melon hauling vehicles, supply the expected demand. on the Florida Water and Land Conservation and fire code for assemblies in farm build- FFVA’s Butch Calhoun pointed out that Initiative Amendment, which voters passed ings. Raschein was a sponsor of the first agritour- in 2014. Edwards cautioned that releasing Calhoun summed up his address to ism bill here in Florida. She is keeping an more water from Lake Okeechobee could Class 4 by emphasizing the importance eye on how Amendment 1, the Land and be a potential hazard for flooding in her of communicating with our lawmakers to Water and Land Conservation Amend- region and that a plan to prevent flooding stress issues that are important to us and ment, plays out. This bill has the potential was needed with the water policy. She also our industry. Legislators may not know how to affect every district and could greatly encouraged participation of young leaders important issues are if we don’t tell them. He impact agriculture. She made it clear that such as our group in the political process. also reiterated that to be a good lobbyist in she supports Calhoun, and she supports Tallahassee, your word has to be what you agriculture. stand for. 3 17 | April | 2015 Rep. Tom Goodson: Walk with a big stick by John Alderman Duda Farm Fresh Foods After breakfast, the group met with Rep. Tom Goodson, chairman of Agricul- ture and Natural Resources Subcommit- tee. Goodson is a Republican represent- ing District 50, which encompasses part of the Space Coast. He lives in Titusville. Butch Calhoun introduced the represen- tative as a “world class” turkey hunter and gave a little example of how he likes to fire a warning shot before taking the real shot. We had the impression that Butch and Goodson have a very good working relationship. He explained that the water policies we discussed at breakfast with Rep. Matt Rep. Jennifer Sullivan of District 31 addressed the group prior to dinner. Sullivan is the youngest Caldwell would be a very important issue woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives. for the folks in the room to take interest in. “What you know of the policy, please be aware that it will not be same when it comes back from the Senate. So I would Never too young to knocking on thousands of doors in her suggest that you stay tuned.” Goodson to make a difference district last year. She explained that her went on to explain that the proposed goal was to run a grassroots campaign GMO bill will most likely not even be and that she believes in limiting govern- heard in the House and would be a dead ment regulation. During the campaign, issue. He added, “This would be another she sought to know what was important layer of bureaucracy that would hinder to the voters and to explain which of her your production and hinder what you do.” values related to their concerns. “You are He explained that our water issues and by Meghan Pasken never too young to start making a differ- demand are not going away and used Glades Crop Care ence,” she said. Lake Lanier and other parts of the Georgia Sullivan, of Mount Dora, serves on basin as a never-ending struggle that is Republican Rep. Jennifer Sullivan the Agriculture and Natural Resources water policy. Goodson stressed the im- of District 31 was our guest speaker at Subcommittee, Civil Justice Subcommit- portance of staying involved in the issues dinner on Tuesday, stopping by briefly to tee, Finance and Tax Committee, and the that are important to you and also staying tell us her story and speak about lead- Local Government Affairs Subcommittee. involved in your trade organizations, ership. At 22, Sullivan is the youngest She urged us to make a difference in our stating, “If you don’t stay involved in your woman elected to the Florida House of state by contacting our representatives association, you will get run over.” Representatives. She spoke about how and making them aware of issues that her inspiration to run for office started are important and why. She emphasized with a 4-H trip to the capital. We were that constituent visits are welcomed all motivated by her enthusiasm and and effective in getting the attention of amazed at the effort her campaign gave representatives.