Expect the 2010 Legislature to take less time than Wayne Mixson served as governor to pass several big pieces of legislation.
Bills that would defer collection of unemployment taxes and reform the Public Service Commission (PSC) are expected to win quick approval.
The Legislature is out to signal early that it's serious about bringing relief to business.
Oil drilling, an Indian gaming compact, the budget, class size funding, Florida Forever financing, tort reform -- these issues will take longer and could involve a few politically bruising skirmishes.
Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, pledged to immediately bring to the Senate floor both a comprehensive reform package for the PSC and the unemployment compensation tax delay sought by Florida businesses. Atwater hopes both pieces of legislation will pass in the first two days of the session that starts today.
The unemployment compensation bill, SB 1666, sailed through the Commerce and the Ways and Means Committees with no opposition. The Senate leadership placed the bill onthe calendar for today, which means it will likely have sailed through a vote long before Gov. Charlie Crist delivers his annual State-of-the-State address to lawmakers and guests at 6 p.m.
The PSC reform bill, SB 1034, breezed through the Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee and the Rules Committee with no opposition.The PSClegislation is on the Senate calendarfor today, too.
The Republican leadership in the House cannot promise the same quick turnaround that Atwater has guaranteed for the Senate. But, House leaders pledge the legislation will be dealt with early in the session.
Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, has urged the House to "pass legislation early in the upcoming session that will stabilize the costs of unemployment and help businesses meet the financial demands of the unemployment system without allowing those demands themselves to destroy more jobs."
The House version of the unemployment compensation bill, HB 7033, passed through the Economic Development and Community Affairs Policy Committee and the Finance and Tax Council without opposition. The PSC reform bill in the House, HB 565, was moved into workshops by the Energy & Utilities Policy Committee on Monday.
Democrats in the House and Senate have not offered substantial opposition to either measure though some House Democrats expressed concerns the state unemployment system needs to be modernized. Democrats also warn of a possible increase in the unemployment compensation tax after the delay expires in 2012.
The Senate and the House leadership also intend to focus on policy and budgetary committee work during the opening two weeks of the session.
"The harsh realities of the current economic climate will have us immersed in balancing the budget," said Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach.
With $3 billion to cut from the budget, Hasner said, the Legislature will be forced to prioritize spending while preserving the state's AAA bond rating and helping create an environment with job growth.
Balancing the budget remains the chief concern of lawmakers, but with Florida facing its highest unemployment rate since 1975, they also are confronting how to balance the budget while putting Floridians back to work.
Cretul has raised doubts about the governor's proposed budget on issues ranging from reserve funding to the continuation of the Florida Forever land purchase program.
Atwater also expressed concerns that Gov. Crist's budget relies on funding that has not been guaranteed, including revenue from an agreement with the Seminoles on gambling, which the Legislature has not approved yet. While the deal with the Seminoles is pending, the Legislature rejected a similar agreement last year.
Other legislators have also expressed deep concern about the budget process.
"Lawmakers will really try to dig deep into the budget when compared to years past," said Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, on Monday.
"We need to generate revenue without affecting Florida's core beliefs, and this will be tough in an election year," said Finance and Tax Council member Rep. Mack Bernard, D-West Palm Beach.
On Monday, Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, who sits on the Insurance, Business and Financial Affairs Policy Committee, said balancing the budget will not be enough to right Florida's wobbling economy.
"We have to create a business environment that will create jobs," he said, noting other states, such as Kentucky and New Mexico, are seeing significant increases in their workforce.
"Balancing the budget will be a very tough process," Hasner said, "but we're prepared to do it to help position Florida for economic recovery."
