FNGLA members understand each Spring represents new opportunity and new challenge - a chance to “ grow ” your business sector . Much the same as FNGLA members , newly elect officials arrive this Spring in Tallahassee for the 2019 Legislative Session .
by Jim Spratt , FNGLA ’s Government Affairs Consultant
There will be opportunities and challenges as FNGLA put to work to protect and advance Florida ’s nursery and landscape painting industry . FNGLA will be focused and committed to bear out our nursery and greenhouse crop agriculturist , landscape firms and retail businesses across our commonwealth . Here are a few ways FNGLA plans to keep factory farm and small stage business strong :
One of the benefits / impacts of terminus limits is they are not selectively applied . While the purpose of this article is n’t to deliberate term limitation , their existence underline one of the challenges FNGLA and other organisation , ( especially farming radical ) confront in 2019 .
For a moment , set aside your personal judgment of their political science . When it came to agriculture - well-disposed and pro - small business issues , the 2018 elections marked the issue for such steadfast leaders as Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam ; Senator Denise Grimsley ; and , Representatives Halsey Beshears , Matt Caldwell and Rep. Jake Raburn . And , these were just a few of FNGLA ’s strongest supporters !
While FNGLA has invested in relationship with many new phallus in the Florida Senate and House , there is no doubt we ’re just in the beginning phase of acquire Modern legislative champions .
Hurricane Michael relief and recoveryHurricane Michael devastated communities in the Florida Panhandle and caused more than $ 1.5 billion in agrarian losses . While the tempest ’s narrow , yet potent , path impacted area which are not heavy in greenhouse crop production , FNGLA member in the straightaway areas were significantly impacted . FNGLA will be working with the Florida Farm Bureau and others to procure easing for agriculturalist , husbandman and ranchers to recover . The agenda includes :
Water / Environmental PolicyGovernor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have made it clear : water and environmental issue will be a major focus of this Legislative Session . So , FNGLA is aware other stakeholder groups may look for to increase regulation on agricultural operations or even basically modify the Office of Agricultural Water Policy ’s Best Management Practices ( BMP ) program .
FNGLA also expects Lake Okeechobee and the water calibre impacts which chevy both coast will take center - level . FNGLA will continue to rivet our efforts to secure support and insurance policy changes are based on sound science with direct and overconfident impacts on urine quality and quantity . Specifically , FNGLA abide implementation and funding of the chase :
Oppose compulsory E - VerifyFor years now , immigration has been described as a “ third - rail ” political publication which legislators were leery of touching for fear of fry their political careers . Today , though , one can contend in-migration insurance is in a class all unto itself . FNGLA opposes legislative measures mandate Florida business concern must use the voluntary federal E - Verify employment system .
FNGLA is puzzle out with a broad alinement ( which includes business concern , cordial reception , structure and other industries ) to jump any state legislative step seeking to impose E - Verify laws . FNGLA ’s position stay on unaltered : in-migration policy must be address at the Union level and it must include an economically and technically workable guest - prole program to check our nursery and landscape painting commercial enterprise can get the labor needed to take business .
Constitutional amendment processDuring 2018 , FNGLA members and Floridians at - large were reminded of the ageless flaw within Florida ’s constitutive amendment process . Most notably , the Constitution Revision Commission ( CRC ) meets every 20 years and has the power to send initiatives directly to the voting for consideration .
Many can say the CRC became a political circus in the months leading up to the 2018 ballot . As a outcome , there is a growing statewide concern that Florida ’s US Constitution is rapidly becoming the favored way of life to elude the legislative , judicial and executive process . Several legislative measure seek to change the operation by which Florida ’s Constitution is amended and to simplify on what elector are actually voting . These include card to :
University of Florida ’s Institute of Food and Agricultural SciencesFNGLA ’s kinship with the University of Florida/ IFAS is deep and firm . During the yearly Legislative Session , FNGLA often grow the chance to assist UF / IFAS with its budget requests . unluckily , over the preceding two years , the UF / IFAS budget was cut in several key areas . This year , FNGLA is actively serve to support UF / IFAS budget requests , including its :
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesFNGLA is mad about the human relationship we ’ve already build with Nikki Fried - the newfangled Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services . FNGLA phallus realize the importance of having potent workings kinship with FDACS give how oftentimes so many of the FDACS employee interact with you and your businesses .
FNGLA is already working to insure the necessary funding for programs essential to the achiever of Florida ’s glasshouse and greenhouse craw operations and all of Florida husbandry such as the :
For more informationFNGLA1533 Park Center DriveOrlando , FL 32835 - 5705Toll - Free : +1 ( 800 ) 375 - 3642 thyroxin : +1 ( 407 ) 295 - 7994F : +1 ( 407 ) 295 - 1619Email:[email protected]www.fngla.org
