Florida state lawmakers representing eastern Hillsborough County addressed attendees of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs n’ Issues Legislative Breakfast June 3, at the Strawberry Festival Expo Hall.
Sen. Tom Lee and Reps. Dan Raulerson, Jake Raburn and Ross Spano each shared their thoughts about the recent session.
“I thought it was a very successful session,” Raburn said. “Dan (Raulerson) said it was slow. But, I think that’s good for Florida.”
They also were proud that they put aside $3 billion of the $77 billion budget aside for reserves for emergencies.
“We know there’s going to be another 2008,” Raulerson said. “We’re saving for a rainy day.”
Other topics included veterans affairs, education and infrastructure.
VETERANS AFFAIRS
The Legislature passed the Florida GI bill that would offer a tuition break to honorably discharged veterans. It includes college scholarships for National Guard members.
“Veterans are very important to me,” Spano said. “And we wanted to make Florida the most veteran friendly state in the union for education.”
The measures also sets aside money to renovate armories and secure land next to existing bases and installations.
“We really want to become known in America as a place to attract military personnel,” Lee said.
EDUCATION
The policymakers also shared details on work in Tallahassee to bolster students’ options after high school. Their initiative focuses on two tracks: Students who will go onto college and students who can participate in vocational training to get industry-specific certifications.
“There’s the idea that every kid needs to go to college,” Raburn said. “Not everyone is going to go. We need to prepare kids for college or to get a job.”
The Stop Harassing Underage Teens Act raises penalties for teachers, administrators and volunteers who commit a sexual offense. The idea came from four students at Armwood High School.
TRANSPORTATION
The Tampa International Airport will be expanded after Gov. Rick Scott made a $194 million pledge earlier this year.
The expansion focuses on the Tampa Gateway Center. The five-story car rental and retail facility will be built south of the main gateway by the economy parking garage and out of the main terminal. This will free of space at the terminal for future expansions.
“We’re doing those things because we have to continue working on infrastructure,” Lee said. “This is how we’ll help small business.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.