On the exact day (in 1845) when Florida became the 27th state in the union, Speaker Steve Crisafulli convened the Florida Legislature with a reminder of how far the Sunshine State has come.
"Did you know that in 1845, our motto was actually 'Let Us Alone'? Today its 'Visit Florida.' Ironically," the speaker said beginning his address Tuesday morning, "one of the first fights between the House and Senate was over adopting the state flag bearing that motto, 'Let Us Alone.' For the record, the House won."
But he emphasized the 2015 session is all about the future. He talked of Florida as the third largest state in the nation -- and a citrus industry under attack from disease, pension reform, an agriculture industry that helps feed the world and Cape Canaveral, home of the largest space port in the world.
"Our agenda this year," the speaker said, "is certainly true to our brand. Our agenda will help us build the brand of this great state."
Crisafulli presented in a five-point "Work Plan 2015" the joint set of priorities he and Senate President Andy Gardiner decided on:
-- Tax Relief. "... Strengthen Floridas economy by providing tax relief to families and businesses. Tax cuts are essential to improve Floridas business climate and make our state more affordable for families."
He said Rep. Matt Gaetz is leading House efforts to bring about a broad-based tax cut and said his goal is to surpass last years $500 million cut.
-- Improve Life for the Disabled. "... Strengthen pathways to economic independence for persons with disabilities." Crisafulli included in this goal a number of education priorities for disabled students at all age levels. Added to that, he said Work Plan 2015 would create financial literacy programs for people with developmental disabilities and establish a Unique Abilities Designation program for Florida businesses. He also promised to implement the ABLE Act, legislation that creates tax-free savings accounts to help people pay for needs such as education and health care.
-- Use Resources for the Environment Wisely. "We will strengthen the health of our waterways and natural resources. Ive talked a lot about water in recent years, and tomorrow we will take up Chair (Matt) Caldwells water policy bill on the floor."
Crisafulli said Florida shouldn't wait for a crisis to address water issues: "It will take a combination of sound policy and smart investments to protect the health of our waterways and develop greater access to a clean and abundant water supply for our state." He cautioned, "This issue will require a sustained commitment from this Legislature for years to come."
The speaker specifically talked about the need to pass legislation to implement Amendment 1.
"Some would say that Amendment 1 funds should be primarily used to acquire more sensitive lands," he said. "But lets get one thing straight -- stewardship is much more than ownership."
Crisafulli's strongest point of emphasis was this: "Buying up land we cannot care for that falls into disrepair or becomes a breeding ground for harmful invasive species is not a legacy I am interested in leaving."
He said the first order of the day should be maintaining the 5.3 million acres of conservation lands Florida already owns.
"We have already been spending at or near Amendment 1 levels in recent years," he said. "As our economy continues to improve, environmental spending will increase even more, and our implementing legislation will build a solid framework to facilitate this."
-- Promote Adoptions. "... Strengthen our families by promoting adoptions ... one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen families and provide our most vulnerable children with loving homes."
Crisafulli stressed finding "forever homes" for the hundreds of children in foster care, creating an incentive program for community-based care and making the adoption process more efficient and effective.
-- Providing First-Rate Education. "... We are committed to allocating the highest level of K-12 per-student spending in state history. We will also work to make higher education more affordable and increase performance funding for our universities."
Expect plenty of talk about student testing, the speaker said. "Accountability is essential to me. ... We have to test."
He said his priorities in education, focused on student success, will adhere to three principles:
- Maintain a strong accountability system that effectively measures student learning and promotes quality instruction in the classroom;
- Increase transparency of accountability requirements so parents, students, teachers and taxpayers can have clear and consistent information;
- Maximize teacher, principal and school district flexibility to successfully implement Floridas accountability system.
A last education priority for the session, he said, is to expand vocational opportunities: "Not every student wants a four-year degree, and we should do more as a state to encourage vocational education opportunities for our young people."
As broad as the Work Plan is, Crisafulli said, there's more. Specifically, pension reform.
"Members, a pension crisis does exist," he said, "and its bankrupting cities and states and altering the deals many hard-working families were counting on for their retirements.
It's a huge problem, he said, "when we have to dedicate over $500 million in the budget to cover the shortfall in Floridas pension system."
Crisafulli said, leadership means "we take action to solve problems before they become catastrophic."
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith