By an 82-26 margin in the Florida House and a 27-12 margin in the U.S. Senate---the Florida legislature has officially passed tough, new restrictions on those who "squat" on public property. The law will now head to Governor DeSantis' office--where it is widely anticipated he will sign it into law---as he has signaled this as a priority. HB 1365 gives the roadmap, what is allowed, and what is unlawful for us to do.
This law, in some respects, pre-empts local governments in the homeless space by making it unlawful for persons to "camp" on public lands without authorization from a local government. It also specifies that nearby affected citizens can sue the local governments if such governments fail to act on this law and tacitly allow such camping via inaction.
It really is a "no-brainer"---and it needed to happen.
Citizens are fed up and disgusted with what we see on our streets, and this legislation answers their collective angst over this activity all over the state.
The law requires local municipalites to remove unauthorized squatters, and provides a mechanism for such local governments to set aside public spaces for homeless folks to camp---provided such locations have security, sanitation provisions, provisions for mental health, job training, and other social services---and that such areas are cleared to operate by the state's Department of Children and Families.
The bill, upon being signed, goes into effect on October 1st of this year.
Although I am a local control guy----I do get it that sometimes the legislature will step over our authority and pre-empt us when a situation is not appropriately being handled by locals statewide.
This is an instance of that.
Interestingly---I lobbied my counterparts and staff STRENUOUSLY on this matter two and a half years ago after my office was inundated with citizen complaints on homeless blight, illegal conduct, litter, standing in roadways and causing distractions at intersections and theft. Isaid to scale up the Satoshi Forest concept would be cost effective, would provide the unhoused with better, more sanitary and safe living spaces and mental health and other services, and improve our communities.
At that time, I suggested we identify a public property WAY OUT IN THE WOODS where we could provide a safe, secure, clean area for campers and where we could bring services to them while simulataneously keeping these homeless activities out of established neighborhoods.
Even the middle school students from CLA thought a homeless camping area----away from established neighborhoods (minute 13 of this video)----was the way to go!
Unfortunately--I did not receive support for the idea then. It was essentially pooh-poohed.
But now a law has been passed that essentially URGES we do just what I and the students suggested years ago--with the State's blessing!
So maybe it is time to re-visit the concept once more and see where it goes now?
Because between what we have enacted with the roadway ordinance and now this state law--I do believe we can make some significant headway on this issue
....And was asked if I would be attending the Show Cause Hearing in Tallahassee this Friday morning at 7:30 AM Central Standard Time.
I filed an ethics complaint against Jonathan Owens who illegally possesses a copy of stolen county files, the complaint I initiated was investigated, and the Advocate (prosecutor) for the Ethics Commission has filed a brief that details the complaint and her finding that Florida Ethics Law was violated by Owens.
Meanwhile, the county has sued Owens and others for the return of the stolen county files.
The FBI and others are also investigating this for possible criminal violation(s).
And the county is awaiting a judge's ruling in the civil matter which hearing has already happend and will next (hopefully) allow for multiple depositions to happen to help the county ascertain precisely who unlawfully possesses copies of these stolen files--so we can amend/perfect our claim to add those additional persons to the suit.
Meanwhile-----the Ethics commission will hear from the Advocate and from Owens' attorney at this hearing Friday--after which time the Commission will vote on the matter.
After the vote, if the Commission agrees with the advocate, the matter will either end up with a negotiated settlement between Owens and the Commission--or it will head to the Division of Administrative Hearing for that body to settle the compaint.
I'm told that because Owens' attorney has waived confidentiality--his hearing Friday will be livestreamed on the Ethics Commissions YouTube Page (here).
The agenda is here
The live video will be at this YouTube Channel at 7:30 CST.
Interestingly--Andrew Tallman's opinion show on AM 1620 has been as silent as a church mouse on this matter, as has other media outlets besides Rick's Blog. I wonder if Tallman will cover this hearing and try to come up with some way to portray Owens as a victim in all of this............Yawn,
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| Conceptual Image of Beulah TownCenter, LLC's development plan for 290 acres of OLF 8 |
Commissioners were notified late yesterday afternoon of the receipt of a revised offer from Beulah TownCenter LLC for purchase of 290 acres of OLF 8. The new, 25 page offer ups the good faith deposit to $500,000.00 cash and a $500,000.00 Letter of Credit. The new due diligence period is 6 months, with an option to extend. And the new purchase price is $22 Million Dollars for the 290 acres, or $75,862 per acre.
The BCC will be discussing this latest offer from Beulah Town Center LLC at our Thursday meeting.
Some very positive aspects of this offer:
1. Adhearance to the Master Plan
2. Leaving 250 Acres on the northern portion of the land for job creation
3. Retail and Restaurants on the frontage, along with potential for a big box, big name retail store that everyone will celebrate
4. A Town Center amenity for the community
5. Area set aside for addition of Tennis Courts adjacent to NFCU's park facility
6. New revenue for the county via the development of the field which currently generates zero property tax or other revenue for the County.
Some issues which must be worked:
1. Funding for the design and construction of the Boulevard Entrance
2. Top line price
3. Working out the escrow agreement and when the deposit goes "hard." Exhibit "C" was blank....
I look forward to the discussion this Thursday. Could be a big step forward for our county!
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| Senator Rick Scott speaks to the audience at McGuire's Irish Pub on Saturday, March 2, 2024 in Pensacola |
Senator Rick Scott was the featured speaker and special guest of the Federalist Society of the Emerald Coast this past Saturday afternoon. The Senator was on a swing through the panhandle where he made several stops to speak before various groups.
At the Federalist Society meeting, which was attended by about 70 local elected officials, former elected officials, attorneys, judges and magistrates--Senator Scott sat down and fielded questions in a "fireside chat" format, with local chapter President and Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh facilitating the discussions and asking the questions.
The discussion began with levity. "You and I have a few things in common--you were adopted, and I was as well" said Bergosh. "We've got the same haircut, too!" quipped Scott immediately, to some laughter in the room.
"I know that you spent time in the military, how did that influence you in business and later in your public service?" Bergosh next asked Scott.
"They don't get paid enough, that's what I learned" quipped Scott. Anyone have a guess on what I made when I was in the Navy?" He paused briefly before answering his own question. "$332.00 per month." he continued "So I learned about how the chain of command worked, and I saw firsthand how the military was being treated at that time [post-Vietnam War] and it was very bad." he added.
"As Governor, you appointed a lot of Judges to the bench." Bergosh asked. "What was your thought process as you made those decisions?" He had the number at the tip of his tongue. "431 judges---we appointed 431. And we looked around the state and saw that there were no women on the bench. So we were able to appoint a lot of women and minorities to the bench. And it was simple. Be nice, and follow the law. You don't get to make law as a judge, I don't as Governor, so be nice and don't try to make laws was the criteria we used" said the Senator.
When asked about the dysfunction in DC that we all see, Scott ended with a lot of colorful commentary and then some hopeful optimism. "Washington is broken. The senate Majority and Minority Leaders raise hundreds of millions of dollars and this allows them to have incredible power. A handful of us don't need their money to win -- but most Senators need the money. In my first election, the other party spent $65 Million against me. There are only a half-dozen or so races each cycle that are competitive so these races generate a lot of attention. We spend money and we are 35 Trillion in Debt----So the system is broken..... But we will fix it!" The Senator stated as he ended his answer.
As Senator Scott exited the venue, he took time to speak to attendees individually and to shake everyone's hand.
While the media often portray Scott as an unconcerned, aloof introvert--this recent meeting proves the opposite--as Scott was personable, funny, and approachable.
And those in attendance saw this reality firsthand.
I have been asked to be the lead off guest tomorrow morning on the area's best, most trusted, most accurate, most unbiased morning drive news talk program--"Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.
I'll be in the studio live at 7:00 with Rick and Sena.
Lots to talk about--I'll be prepared to discuss anything they want to discuss.
Listen Live at 7:00 or catch the podcast here once Rick publishes it.
The effort to enact term limits on County Commissioners in the state of Florida has died in the Senate for 2024. This has been widely reported in the media and the House sponsor, Rep. Michelle Salzman, has vowed to bring it back. I was surprised that it did not go this session, but I believe it will go next session. Interestingly, Salzman and I discussed this very issue on a recent Coffee with the Commissioner. Lots of folks have asked my opinion on this, especially given that I'm an incumbent County Commissioner and Michelle Salzman is a friend of mine. For many years.
As I told her on the coffee--I'm generally supportive of term limits, and I know my constituents are in full support. I believe the need for term limits is much stronger at the federal level, where we have folks in congress serving for decades and decades. That never seems to happen though. Neither does the desperately needed balanced budget amendment at the federal level, either. But I digress.
Florida legislators have 8 year term limits. Florida Governors do too, as do elected cabinet members. Recently, Florida school board members were capped at 8 years. According to Salzman, all elected constitutional officers, if she has her way, will eventually be subject to term limits--she's not just picking on school board members and county commissioners. She is just starting with county commissioners. Okay, that sounds reasonable and fair.
I believe 12 years should be the magic number, because in government it takes years and years to get big projects over the line. A soon to open fire station, for example, has been an 8 year, sustained effort. The soon to open boat ramp in D1 has been nearly 9 years in the making. The Beulah Interchange will have been a nearly 15 year effort once it is constructed. I am 6 years into the effort to build a replacement fire station on Bauer Road. In short--big stuff takes time in local government. And if the voters boot out Commissioners every 8 years--who is to say the project that has been in the pipeline for 4-7 years will be carried forward? Answer--there is no guarantee. As an example: D2 in Escambia County wanted public beach access and pushed for the purchase of 300 feet on the Gulf to provide this. After electors booted the incumbent in 2014--the next commissioner did NOT want that beach access opened and he kept it locked behind a gate and no trespassing signs for the next 8 years of his term. Also in D2, the incumbent in 2013 was on his way toward getting a 4-lane solution out of Perdido Key and Sorrento Road all the way out of the beach area. His successor killed that project upon his election because he had different priorities.
So "8 is Enough" might have been the cute moniker of a cheesy 70's sitcom--But 8 years isn't always enough in the world of local commissioners.
So 12 years is appropriate, in all areas, in my opinion. 2 terms as U.S. Senator, 6 2-year terms for U.S. House, and 12 years for the constitutionionals in Florida. Along the way, the voters will and do have the ultimate power to enact shorter terms, as appropriate, in elections along the way.
Because a quick walk through the 2nd floor of 221 Palafox Place---where all former Escambia County Commissioner pictures and terms of office are memorialized--starkly illustrates that Escambia voters have historically been keenly adept at imposing term limits on commissioners without a formalized legal cap............ 4 year, 4 years, 6 years, 8 years, 4 years, 4 years. 8 years, 12 years, 4 years, 8 years, 4 years. I encourage folks to go look for themselves and do the math and check the average term in office for the commissioners over time locally. Then decide this for yourself: Is the imposition of term limits for county commissioners by the legislature really a pressing need? ---- or is this actually just a politically-motivated solution to a problem that the voters have already solved?
