With the 2011 regular session ending on Friday, the Florida House resumed its blazing pace Monday, tackling more than 50 measures, ranging from medical malpractice reform to repealing laws on red-light cameras and seating at work.
Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-New Port Richey, sponsored the bill which would repeal the bill on red-light cameras passed in the 2010 session. The repeal measure passed by the slimmest of margins -- 59-57.
Nothing like a little drama on Monday on Week 9, said Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, after reading the results.
In a strange twist, Rep. Gary Aubuchon, who chairs the Rules and Calendar Committee, served as the floor manager against Corcorans measure, recognizing other members of the House leadership in attacking their fellow Republicans bill. Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, managed the floor for Corcorans bill.
Republicans, including Rep. Ed Hooper of Clearwater and Rep. Bill Proctor of St. Augustine, attacked the research behind Corcorans bill, insisting that their own findings showed red-light cameras helped increase public safety. Other Republicans like Rep. Eddy Gonzalez of Hialeah Gardens, Rep. Clay Ford of Pensacola and Rep. Matt Hudson of Naples insisted that the red-light cameras dramatically increased safety and pointed to statistics from their own region.
I believe the red-light cameras are about awareness, said Gonzalez, arguing that motorists know where the cameras are and drive safer.
Red-light cameras have stopped accidents, said Rep. Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City. They save lives.
Schenck managed representatives from both parties who insisted that the red-light cameras were all about increasing revenue instead of improving public safety.
The only thing this law is doing is generating revenue for municipalities, said Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami.
Red-light cameras present a real disincentive for local governments to fix the problem, said Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs.
The House passed HB 479, a measure from Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee, backed by the Florida Medical Association, that would make the state Department of Health issue expert witness certificates for out-of-state as well as in-state medical witnesses and would increase protection for hospitals when contracted employees are sued for malpractice. The measure passed 88-28.
Republicans urged the passing of the measure, arguing that it would help reduce medical and insurance costs while offering some control over medical liability insurance and other costs.
This bill provides for accountability where none exists, insisted Rep. Larry Metz, R-Eustis.
Democrats argued that Horners bill would undermine the protection for Floridians impacted by medical malpractice.
Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach, called the proposal a shift, arguing that insurance companies will continue to increase their profits and that taxpayers will end up with the bill.
This is a recipe for disaster, Steinberg said. Do not leave Floridas taxpayers on the hook for this.
A bill by Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami Shores,would have repealed a law set up in the late 1800s requiring that employers provide seats for employees who walk and stand at their job. The bill garnered much debate with Republicans insisting that the measure was no longer needed with other laws in place at the state and federal level. Republicans praised Campbell and dramatically stood behind her until Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, demanded they return to their seats. Campbell had dramatically broken with her caucus over pro-life legislation last week.
There were odd moments in the session including House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez Cantera, R-Miami, acting as floor leader of the majority, recognizing House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West in backing HB 1163, a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Heathrow, on property tax reassessment.
Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, who has served as floor leader of the Democrats during debates had to explain the procedure to members as Democrats spoke for the majority and Republicans spoke in the minority over HB 1163 and other issues.
This is exciting, said Cannon. We have legislators legislating.
The House continued to temporarily postpone the Health Care Freedom Act which would forward a constitutional amendment to the voters allowing Floridians to opt out of the federal health-care law backed by President Barack Obama.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
