During a 'pen and pad' session with reporters Monday afternoon, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam fielded reporters' questions on everything from energy policy to U.S. involvement in Libya.
The following are condensed notes from the meeting.
Energy -- Fuel
Biomass facilities, the kind that produce ethanol at least, are making progress in Florida.
"After several years on the drawing board," said Putnam, "we're finally starting to see dirt move."
On Friday Putnam visited two plants, Vercipia Biofuels in Tampa and Highlands Envirofuels in Sebring, to get a firsthand look at their progress.
Energy -- Electricity
Putnam says the renewable energy policy needs to move forward in Florida, but the legislator can't play favorites based on the type of renewable technology, solar versus biomass, for example.
"Our approach to renewable energy can't pick winners or losers," Putnam said.
Putnam said the energy portfolio should be broadened to include biomass. "Anything that's farmed, grown, harvested here presents a significant opportunity for Florida."
Farm Photography
A bill that passed through the Senate Agriculture Committee today is on Putnam's radar, but isn't part of his agenda's top priority. The 'farms' bill, SB 1246, would prohibit a person from trespassing on a farm and taking pictures or video.
Putnam says his department is assisting with "technical support."
School Lunch/Nutrition Programs
While he says he's seeing strong support from children's nutrition advocates, Putnam acknowledges that his efforts to transfer the school nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services might not happen this year.
"Big lifts like this are usually done in a multistep process," he said. "But the bottom line is it's a big, complicated endeavor and we'll do what we can."
Putnam says getting a waiver from the federal government is less of a concern compared to the state's ability to ramp up delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables to school lunch rooms.
Libya
Putnam is generally supportive of President Barack Obama's efforts in Libya.
"It's important to support the people in their efforts to overthrow against [Moammar] Gadhafi," he said.
When pressed further about concerns from a number of U.S. congressmen that President Barack Obama hasn't gone through the necessary steps of approving his decision through Congress, Putnam agreed that the system of checks and balances through three branches of government is always important, but particularly when the lives of Americans may potentially be at risk.
Gov. Rick Scott's Performance
Putnam was somewhat vague on what he thinks of Gov. Rick Scott's performance so far in his administration.
"Given the amount of fiscal stress and budgetary pressures, I think that everybody is working hard to get through these difficult times, especially Governor Scott," he said.
One press corps member asked what he thought of the relationship between Scott and the Legislature. Putnam said he couldn't comment on the relationship between them, but speaking for his own department he said the Department of Agriculture has a "good working relationship with Scott and his staff."
Fire Season
Fire danger is a big concern for the new commissioner of agriculture. Putnam acknowledged the severe drought conditions in the state, particularly South Florida, and said the rainfall Tallahassee residents saw was misleading.
"It probably rained more in Tallahassee than anywhere else in the state," Putnam said. "With the unusually early, and extremely large fire in Volusia County, and already dry conditions across the state, we've got a recipe for a very serious fire season," he said.
Clemency Vote
Putnam had expressed concerns that the vote to decouple the right to vote from the clearances needed for convicted felons to get a job once released from prison was somewhat rushed. The policy change also broadened the list of crimes that are excluded from an automatic restoration of rights. While ideas had been discussed about what the policy would contain, many had not read the actual language written in the document.
"It was a swift process," said Putnam. "In the end, I think it was one that continues to protect the public, in particular by expanding the list of crimes. All those issues are gut-check issues. They're not easy."
Immigration Reform
Putnam says the immigration system is broken on both sides: the enforcement side and the legal immigration side.
"The options for fixing that broken system are very limited," said Putnam. "It really has to be addressed at the federal level."
Putnam wants Florida to be a 'welcoming magnet' to legalimmigrants of all types, and give employers a stable, legal work force they can rely on to help fill those positions that are more difficult to fill.
Lane Wright may be reached at Lane@sunshinestatenews.com or (561) 247-1063.
