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The
Murzin Report
June 19, 2009
Contents:
·
The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) Program
ceases operations June 30, 2009: Take action immediately if you have already
been approved for a MSFH grant. (6/18/09)
·
Murzin’s HB7123 is signed into law – Protection
of Florida’s Military Bases and Missions (6/18/09)
·
Florida Chamber Commends “Distinguished Advocate” Rep. Dave
Murzin (6/19/09)
The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) Program ceases operations
June 20, 2009
URGENT! If you
have been approved for a MSFH Grant, take action immediately.
There
are approximately 9,000 homeowners who have had their grants approved,
but have not yet strengthened their homes and have not submitted paperwork
to receive a reimbursement. The work must be done and completed paperwork
must be sent to the MSFH program postmarked no later than June 30, 2009. The program will reimburse homeowners with grants
already approved through June 30, 2009.
I
received notification on 6/18/09, that the MSFH Program will cease operations
on June 30, 2009. Effective immediately, the Program is no longer
taking applications for home inspections or grants. When the economy recovers, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Alex Sink,
hopes to seek funding and restart the program sometime in the future.
For
assistance or more information please call the toll-free MSFH Consumer
Support line at 866-513-MSFH or 866-513-6734.
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Murzin’s
HB7123 is signed into law – Protection of Florida’s Military Bases
and Missions
On
6/18/09, Governor Crist signed into law HB7123, a bill I sponsored in
April to enhance the state’s efforts in maintaining defense installations
in our great state. The military presence in our state is a powerful and
constant economic driver with an estimated $52 billion impact statewide.
It is our third largest industry and creates thousands of direct
and indirect jobs.
The
bill creates a Florida Council on Military Base Mission Support.
The Council will be responsible for providing community and state
support to the 20 installations and three unified commands in Florida
that would not only keep current infrastructure intact, but also promote
the transfer of more military assets to Florida. As the new administration in Washington
is reviewing military missions across the board, it is good to have this
law in place. I commend Senator
Gaetz for ensuring the bill’s passage in the Senate and Governor Crist
for his signature.
Governor
Crist signed the bill into law on 6/18/09 at Eglin Air Force Base which
is the largest Air Force installation in the world.
Northwest Florida houses five of the 21 military bases in Florida.
The
Council will be made up of gubernatorial appointees and House and Senate
members. The Council will work to strengthen Florida’s relationships
with the military and help prevent any future base realignment rounds
from negatively impact our state.
=-=-=-=-
Florida
Chamber Commends “Distinguished Advocate” Rep. Dave Murzin (6/19/09)
Today,
I was honored to have the Florida Chamber of Commerce recognize me as
a “Distinguished Advocate.” A Distinguished Advocate is one who fights for
Florida’s employers by standing for fairness
in Florida’s judicial system to protect
Florida’s
employers from abusive and costly lawsuits.
An Advocate fights on behalf of Florida’s
taxpayers and job creators to reduce costs and invest in Florida’s future innovative economy.
Additionally,
the Florida Chamber recognized me for receiving a perfect 100 percent
on the Chamber’s 2009 Legislative Report Card, as well as a 97-percent
in 2008. The Florida Chamber’s membership represents
employers, small and large, from all industries and regions across the
state. For more information on the Florida Chambers Distinguished Advocates,
Legislative Report Card, and other information, please visit www.FloridaChamber.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
HB1431--Consolidated
Study Commission—signed by Governor Crist
HB1431
provides for the creation of a Consolidated Study Commission to develop
a consolidation plan or unification of services for the City of Pensacola,
Town of Century, and Escambia County. To read the bill and the bill’s history, go to
the legislature's official website www.leg.state.fl.us
Click on the House's link and insert
HB1431 in the bill search window. Be
sure the 2009 session is selected.
You
can find other consolidation information at www.escambiaallforone.com/ There
is a link to sign up as a supporter of consolidation and a link to volunteer
in a number of capacities, including serving on the appointed study commission. The website’s Contact Us link provides contact
information for the campaign co-chairs Jason Crawford and/or Scott Remington.
Online
Sunshine
I encourage you to keep abreast of what is going on in the legislature
by frequently visiting "Online Sunshine," the official website
of your Florida Legislature. At http://www.leg.state.fl.us/
you'll find links to both the Senate and the House websites. Online
Sunshine provides links to Florida laws, the state Constitution, and other
governmental information.
Suggestions,
Contacts and Public Appearances
My staff and I use email newsletters as a cost-effective way to keep you
in touch with what is happening in our state and legislature. Please
feel free to forward The Murzin Report to those in your email contacts.
Alternatively, please let others know they can be added to my Newsletter
distribution list by clicking here.
We
welcome all comments and suggestions. My district office’s contact
information is listed below. You may also email me directly at dave.murzin@myfloridahouse.gov
Speaking
Engagements
As my schedule allows, I am happy to speak at local community events or
groups about issues of interest. My Legislative Assistant, Brandon
Patty, or my Secretary, Jerrie Lewis, will be happy to work with you in
making such arrangements.
To
view all Committee assignments or meeting schedule, please visit www.myfloridahouse.gov.
Pensacola
Legislative District Office
11 East Olive Road
Suite 1
Pensacola, Florida 32514
Phone:
(850) 494-7330
Fax: (850) 494-7332
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The
Murzin Report
June 12, 2009
Contents
1. Military
Base Closure HB 7123 Signed into Law
2. Hurricane Expo is June 20th at the Pensacola Civic
Center
3. New Seat Belt Law effective June 30th
Military
Base Closure HB 7123 Signed by Governor Crist 6/10/09
HB7123 is one of my favorite bills that I sponsored
this past session. The bill establishes
the Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support.
This important legislation will allow the Florida Legislature to show
its support and work to ensure that our military installations are protected
when the federal government next decides which bases are to be closed.
Being pro-active
and engaged with our military partners will go a long way to keeping this
important economic driver in our community. I look forward to working
closely with this new Council in the coming year.
Hurricane
expo is June 20 at Pensacola Civic Center
On
Saturday, June 20, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies
Hurricane Expo will be held at the Pensacola Civic
Center from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. According to the Pensacola News-Journal, exhibitors will provide
information on services and products that help in the preparation for
and mitigation against disasters. Expo visitors will benefit from special
discounts of up to 50 percent off home inspections, which can help save
money on homeowner’s insurance premiums.
Hurricane
season began on June 1. Please, if you are not yet ready, get prepared.
For more information, please visit the Expo on the 20th or
http://www.floridadisaster.org.
Dori
Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law -- CS/SB 344 Signed by Gov
5/6/09; Effective 6/30/09
A
new seat belt law goes into effect in Florida on June 30, 2009. SB 344 amends the “Florida Safety Belt Law”
to provide for primary enforcement of the safety belt law for operators
and front seat passengers. The
bill amends Florida Statutes 316.614 and allows law enforcement officers
to stop motorists solely for not using their safety belts.
A person violating this section would be cited for a nonmoving
violation, punishable by a $30.00 fine.
The
bill also removes from the list of exemptions to the safety belt law front
seat passengers of a pickup truck in excess of the number of safety belts
installed. The operator and any
front seat passengers of a pickup truck will be subject to primary enforcement
of the safety belt law.
The
amendment to the Safety Belt Law may qualify Florida to take advantage
of a federal grant offered to states passing primary enforcement safety
belt laws. The potential grant
could be as high as $35 million. The
federal money a state receives can only be spent on highway-related projects.
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The
Murzin Report
Representative
Dave Murzin serving House District 2
May
15 , 2009
Contents
1.
Back in the District
2.
Final Budget
3.
Education Funding
- Concealed Weapons Permit Trust Fund
5.
Boots to Books Program – new GI Bill education benefits
Back in the District
It is so good being home after an extended
session in Tallahassee. The issues
we addressed, while always challenging, were even more so due to the severe
budget deficit. In fiscal year
2009-2010, for the second year in a row, the State of Florida
will have $6 billion LESS in revenue than the year before. That two-year drop of $12 billion in revenue
is the worst budget reverse since the Great Depression.
Final Budget
As you know, the Florida Legislature stayed
a week late in Tallahassee to get the budget right. We wanted to make
sure we took a fiscally responsible, long-term view that primes Florida
to rebound quickly when the economy picks up. While cuts are never
easy, I am pleased that the Florida House prioritized its spending and
protected the core missions of state government.
Some notable budget decisions
include:
·
Increased per-student classroom funding for our schools
·
Fully funded the MEDS-AD and Medically Needy Programs, which were scheduled
to expire on July 1, 2009.
·
Allocated $31 million for first-time homebuyers
·
Continued funding for Everglades restoration
·
Protected services and provider rates for Florida’s developmentally disabled
·
Expanded the Nursing Home Diversion Program, which will enable an additional
2,200 Floridians to receive vital services in their communities.
If you wish to learn more about
the budget and these programs, please visit www.myfloridahouse.gov
.
Education Funding
One of the Florida House’s highest priorities
is education funding. With a $6 billion dollar backdrop, we worked diligently
to protect and even increase education’s share of the budget.
For fiscal year 2009-10, the
budget for PreK-12 funding is $13.4 billion, which is a 14.5% increase
from last year. This translates into an increase of per-student funding
to a statewide average of $6873.
More closer to home, Escambia County’s per-student
funding will be increasing to $6,577 and in Santa Rosa County the per-student
funding for will increased to $6,478.
It is good to keep in mind that
one reason for less dollars in education revenue is student enrollment
declines. Escambia County schools have lost 3,339 students
since 2006. This one variable has
resulted in a loss of $21,960,603 at $6,577 per student.
Concealed
Weapons Permit Trust Fund
One issue I have heard about during my visits
throughout the district is the purported “sneak attack” on gun owners
by taking funds from the concealed weapons permit trust fund. Unfortunately,
the complete story was not told.
The trust fund transfer was first
proposed by Governor Crist on February 20th of this year, nearly three
months ago. The proposal did not single out gun owners, as the Governor
suggested transferring funds from numerous areas of the budget. In the
final budget over $588 million was transferred.
If this was the only transfer
that took place or if we did not work to improve permit processing times,
I would also be concerned about our state’s commitment to 2nd
Amendment rights. However, the Florida Legislature has dedicated
more dollars than ever before towards the processing of concealed weapons
permits- over $18 million next year. This sum is an increase of
over 40% from next year’s start-up budget for processing concealed weapons
permits.
None of the transfers will negatively
impact the concealed weapons permit licensing program, and if the program
for some reason needs more resources than the current $18 million appropriation,
then requests for additional funding will be considered and appropriated
if needed.
Please share this with your neighbors and
friends. I am a 2nd Amendment advocate, and I promise to fight
for our right to bear arms.
Boots
to Books Program
With the passing of the New GI Bill, or
“Post 9/11 GI Bill,” federal
resources will soon be available to help veterans meet their educational
and career goals. This bill boasts the most comprehensive education
benefits package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944.
The new benefit goes into effect on August 1, 2009.
The www.FLBootsToBooks.org web site provides
up-to-date information including: details
of the GI Bill; instructions on how to apply; information on Florida’s
community colleges and public and private universities; as well as links
to the web sites of several veteran groups.
Best
Regards,
Dave Murzin
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The
Murzin Report
Representative
Dave Murzin serving House District 2
May
4 , 2009
Contents
1.
LONG-TERM VIEW ON BUDGET
2.
A HELPING HAND FOR FLORIDA’S
UNEMPLOYED
3.
PRESERVING WOKERS’ RIGHT TO A SECRET BALLOT
4.
PROVIDING CHOICE FOR FAMILIES PREPARING FOR
COLLEGE
5.
DISASTER PLAN
Last week, the Florida House
began the final sprint toward approving a responsible, balanced budget
by meeting with the Senate to iron out differences in each chamber’s budget
proposals. Due to extensive negotiations, both chambers decided
to extend the regular Session through this Friday to address the budget.
The extended Session is not without precedent, and House Republicans believe
that it is more important to get the budget done right than to do it quickly.
Although the budget process took a little longer than anticipated, it
is important that the priorities of both the House and the Senate are
fairly represented in the final budget. .
LONG-TERM VIEW ON BUDGET
The House’s priority has been to identify
responsible spending reductions to help us balance the budget long-term.
I believe it is important to have a fiscally responsible long-term view
that puts Florida in the best shape
possible to rebound when the economy picks up. This means House
Republicans have to make some tough choices. The responsible thing
to do is stop spending more than Florida
can afford so that we can create a stable financial environment for Florida's economy to rebound.
A HELPING HAND FOR FLORIDA’S
UNEMPLOYED
I know that times are tough and that Floridians
are hurting. The Florida House is committed to lending a helping
hand to those Floridians who have lost their jobs due to the economic
downturn. That is why I voted to accept nearly $2 billion in federal
stimulus money to extend the length of time that unemployed workers receive
assistance. Part of the $2 billion will also be used to increase
the weekly unemployment benefit by $25, to help Floridians until they
can find another job. I realize that federal stimulus dollars are
not a silver bullet for the problems facing Florida,
but these funds can help us bridge the gap for unemployed Floridians until
they can find another job.
PRESERVING WOKERS’ RIGHT TO
A SECRET BALLOT
It
is no secret that our state and our nation face unprecedented economic
challenges. And my focus is to help put Florida’s
economy back on track and generate jobs for Floridians. Included in that
focus is the protection of workers’ rights. To that end, the Florida
House took a significant step toward helping our economy by voting to
provide Floridians with the opportunity to enshrine their right to vote
by a secret ballot in the Florida Constitution. I supported passage of
House Joint Resolution 1013 because it
is a pro-worker protection proposal. Workers should never fear retaliation
from their unions, their employers or their fellow employees.
PROVIDING CHOICE FOR FAMILIES
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE
Paying for college is a difficult challenge
for parents, especially during these difficult economic times. Many families
have planned ahead for college expenses by purchasing the Florida Prepaid
College Plan, and I supported House Bill 315 to maximize their
choice for the use of their Prepaid College Plan dollars. House
Bill 315 permits the use of a Prepaid College Plan at any learning center
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
DISASTER PLAN
With hurricane
season right around the corner, now is the time to review and develop
a disaster action plan. To assist you in preparing, the State of Florida
has a several great web pages that can be accessed through: www.floridadisaster.org
Best
Regards,
Dave Murzin
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