The House sprinted toward the end of the legislative session Wednesday, tackling almost 120 legislative items in an lengthy meeting that extended through most of the day.
The House will be set to vote on the budget after 2:59 p.m. Friday in accordance with the mandate that there need to be at least 72 hours between the publication of the budget and the final vote on it.
Generally avoiding debate, the House passed measures with little controversy. On issues ranging from criminal justice to protecting the environment, the House approved measures and tackled issues it had previously voted on in an attempt to conform bills that had already passed the Senate.
The one exception was a measure sponsored by Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, to reform property insurance, allowing insurance companies to raise rates up to 10 percent, which passed the House on a 72-44 vote. The governor has threatened to veto any measure that would raise insurance rates.
With the House rushing legislation through in the last days of session, Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, motioned to limit debate. A quick debate ensued with members of both parties arguing on both sides.
This is an increase on insurance premiums for the people of the state of Florida, said Rep. Julio Robiana, R-Miami.
A reform of state condominium laws passed on a 107-4 vote. The bill had bipartisan sponsorship, being introduced by Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Ft. Lauderdale, Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, and Rep. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach. The bill passed the Senate without opposition two weeks ago. The measure grants condominium associations new regulations with elevator permits and changes duties between associations and landlords.
With both houses of the Legislature having agreed on a budget late Monday night and copies of it on delivered on every legislators desk, the House avoided financial matters.
During the process to create a program helping Florida National Guard members, one Democrat proposed a tax increase. Calling her idea a no free lunch measure, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, attempted to amend a bill providing assistance to National Guard members by adding a five-cent tax on gasoline to fund veterans assistance programs and transportation and energy projects.
I understand its a tax, said Rehwinkel Vasilinda. This would cost the average Floridian $29 a year.
She withdrew the measure before the issue could be debated.
Asked about the amendment, Rehwinkel Vasilinda said that every war in American history required tax increases and that the nation is currently in a two-front war in Afghanistan and Iraq. She said the measure would raise over $490 million for the state.
While the representatives spent most of the session on legislative matters, there were moments of levity. House proceedings came to a halt for a slide show that looked back over the session. Following the slides, Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf and Ramblin Man by the Allman Brothers played as a customized Harley motorcycle was wheeled onto the floor.
