<b>Tonight, we are live with members</b> <b>of the local Northwest</b> <b>Florida legislative delegation.</b> <b>We'll get analysis on the 2024 session</b> <b>and look ahead</b> <b>discussing issues that are important</b> <b>to you and the state of Florida.</b> <b>We are live and interactive</b> <b>on social media, radio and on television.</b> <b>2020 for legislative review.</b> <b>Dialog with the delegation is straight</b> <b>ahead.</b> <b>This original WCR</b> <b>presentation is made possible</b> <b>by viewers like you.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Good evening and thank you for joining us.</b> <b>I'm Jeff Weeks.</b> <b>In addition to our live television</b> <b>broadcast on WSRE-TV</b> <b>PBS's for the Gulf Coast.</b> <b>We're also streaming on Facebook</b> <b>and broadcasting on Newsradio</b> <b>92.3 FM AM 1620.</b> <b>Many of you have already sent</b> <b>in your questions for our legislators,</b> <b>but there's still time for more.</b> <b>You can email us with your question</b> <b>or you can message us on.</b> <b>Ed, I should say sorry on Facebook.</b> <b>Now let's meet members of the Northwest</b> <b>Florida legislative delegation.</b> <b>Senator Doug Broxson serves District one,</b> <b>which encompasses</b> <b>all of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties</b> <b>and a portion of Okaloosa.</b> <b>He is chair of the committee</b> <b>on Appropriations,</b> <b>as well as serving on banking</b> <b>and insurance, judiciary and rules.</b> <b>Now over to the Florida House.</b> <b>Michelle Salzman represents House</b> <b>District one,</b> <b>which covers</b> <b>a large portion of Escambia County.</b> <b>Representative Salzman is chair of</b> <b>the Health Care Regulation Subcommittee.</b> <b>She also serves on Appropriations,</b> <b>Health and Human Services and Rules.</b> <b>Alex Andrade serves House District two,</b> <b>which includes</b> <b>the southern portions of Escambia</b> <b>and Santa Rosa Counties.</b> <b>Representative Andrade</b> <b>is chair of the Infrastructure and Tourism</b> <b>Appropriations Subcommittee,</b> <b>while also serving on appropriations rules</b> <b>and the Joint Legislative Budget</b> <b>Commission.

Dr.</b> <b>Joel Rudman represents House</b> <b>District three,</b> <b>which covers portions of Okaloosa</b> <b>and Santa Rosa Counties.</b> <b>Representative Redmond's</b> <b>committee assignments include Commerce,</b> <b>Health Care, Regulation and Higher</b> <b>Education Appropriations Subcommittee.</b> <b>Pat Maney serves House District four,</b> <b>which encompasses part of Okaloosa County.</b> <b>He is vice chair of both the Commerce</b> <b>and Children, Families</b> <b>and Seniors subcommittees.</b> <b>He is also on the Judiciary Committee</b> <b>and the Civil Justice Subcommittee.</b> <b>Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.</b> <b>Thank you all for being here.</b> <b>We have a full house.</b> <b>It's been a while</b> <b>since we've put this program on the air</b> <b>due to a pandemic and things like that.</b> <b>So we're back in full force</b> <b>and we have five of our legislators</b> <b>with us this evening.</b> <b>Senator Broxton, let me begin with you.</b> <b>First of all, congratulations</b> <b>on a wonderful career</b> <b>and we'll talk more</b> <b>about that later in the broadcast.</b> <b>But let me get you to kind of</b> <b>give us your oversight on 2024</b> <b>and the legislative session.</b> <b>Well, Jeff is</b> <b>historic because we had so much money,</b> <b>the state of Florida,</b> <b>when other states were struggling,</b> <b>we were doing great.</b> <b>We were growing.</b> <b>In addition to what the feds sent down,</b> <b>it really made Florida</b> <b>the envy of really</b> <b>the entire United States.</b> <b>And rather than spending that money on</b> <b>recurring, we put many of it into savings</b> <b>and put it towards things</b> <b>that that were non-recurring projects</b> <b>that we had deferred deferred maintenance</b> <b>on the university system</b> <b>and the colleges,</b> <b>a lot of money to the counties and cities.</b> <b>So it was historic in that</b> <b>we will never see the kind</b> <b>of a flush that we had this year.</b> <b>And hopefully we will continue</b> <b>to have robust</b> <b>cells and people will continue</b> <b>to come to Florida.</b> <b>About a fourth of our taxes</b> <b>are paid by tourists.</b> <b>So we're very blessed to be a citizen.</b> <b>And we see that because so many people</b> <b>want to move to Florida that</b> <b>live in other states</b> <b>that did not do well during the pandemic.</b> <b>Yeah, no question about that.</b> <b>Let me let me move over to Representative</b> <b>Manny and Rudman.</b> <b>And you guys are kind of the</b> <b>the new kids on the block, so to speak,</b> <b>or at least on our panel here.</b> <b>What is your take away from 2024?</b> <b>I think it was a great session.</b> <b>We got a lot done.</b> <b>We you know,</b> <b>we only meet for 60 days and we had over</b> <b>1700 bills were introduced of</b> <b>of which fewer than 300 passed.</b> <b>And I think Northwest Florida did</b> <b>very well.</b> <b>We've we've made progress on insurance.</b> <b>We, like Senator Brockman was saying,</b> <b>we put a lot of money</b> <b>locally into projects</b> <b>that are going to provide dividends</b> <b>and jobs and better quality</b> <b>of life,</b> <b>better environment for years to come.</b> <b>So it was a very successful session.</b> <b>Representative Rudman.</b> <b>>> Weeks: REPRESENTATIVE</b> <b>RUDMAN.</b> <b>>> Rudman: I'M THE ROOKIE OF</b> <b>THE BUNK.</b> <b>BUNCH.THIS WAS MY FIRST TERM.</b> <b>I ARRIVED KIND OF AS A POLITICAL</b> <b>OUTSIDER AND SO I DIDN'T QUITE</b> <b>KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN I GOT</b> <b>TO TALLAHASSEE.</b> <b>I ARRIVED WITH BASICALLY ONE</b> <b>ITEM ON MY AGENDA, AND THAT WAS</b> <b>MEDICAL FREEDOM.</b> <b>AND IT WAS A BILL THAT WAS</b> <b>ACTUALLY SIGNED INTO LAW DURING</b> <b>OUR VERY FIRST SESSION.</b> <b>AND SO I BASICALLY SPENT THE</b> <b>REST OF MY TIME LEARNING FROM MY</b> <b>COLLEAGUES HERE.</b> <b>AND I CAN'T THINK OF A FINER</b> <b>BUNCH OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE</b> <b>SENATOR TO ACTUALLY GET GUIDANCE</b> <b>FROM.</b> <b>SO I'VE BEEN ADOPTING MORE OF A</b> <b>LEARNING POSTURE, BECAUSE IT IS.</b> <b>IT'S AN ART.</b> <b>IT REQUIRES A LOT OF SKILL TO BE</b> <b>AT THIS LEVEL.</b> <b>AND CERTAINLY YOU CAN SEE THAT</b> <b>IN THE PEOPLE THAT I'M SEATED</b> <b>NEXT TO.</b> <b>>> Weeks: REPRESENTATIVE</b> <b>SALZMAN, YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM</b> <b>2024.</b> <b>>> Salzman: I THINK 2024 WAS</b> <b>UNIQUE IN THE WAY THAT WE</b> <b>FOCUSED MORE ON HEALTHCARE THAN</b> <b>WE HAVE IN MANY YEARS.</b> <b>THE SENATE PRESIDENT WAS VERY</b> <b>PASSIONATE ABOUT THE LIVE</b> <b>HEALTHY ACT.</b> <b>AND BEING IN N HEALTHCARE, A</b> <b>MAJORITY OF MY COMMITTEES,</b> <b>THAT'S W WHAT I'VE DONE, SERVING</b> <b>ON A LOT OF BOARDS THROUGHOUT</b> <b>THE STATE.</b> <b>IT WAS REFRESHING TO SEE WHAT</b> <b>HAPPENED THROUGH THAT.</b> <b>ALL OF THAT MONUMENTAL</b> <b>LEGISLATION, THE FUNDING, THE</b> <b>CHANGING IN THE WAY THAT WE</b> <b>REQUIRE CERTAIN THINGS FOR</b> <b>WHETHER YOU'RE A STUDENT OR A</b> <b>DOCTOR COMING FROM ANOTHER</b> <b>COUNTRY, HOW TO GET US THE BEST</b> <b>AND BRIGHTEST AS QUICKLY AS</b> <b>POSSIBLE TO FILL IN SOME OF</b> <b>THOSE GAPS FOR OUR ACCESS TO</b> <b>CARE.</b> <b>THAT WAS MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT</b> <b>THE SESSION, JUST WATCHING THAT</b> <b>COME TO FRUITION.</b> <b>IT WAS A VERY LARGE -- IT WAS A</b> <b>HEAVY LIFT.</b> <b>SEVERAL BILLS ENCOMPASSED AND</b> <b>JUST BEING ON THOSE COMMITTEES,</b> <b>AND BEING IN THE ROOM WHEN WE</b> <b>WERE TALKING THROUGH AND</b> <b>NEGOTIATING SOME OF THAT ON THE</b> <b>HOUSE SIDE WAS PRETTY COOL.</b> <b>>> Weeks: REPRESENTATIVE</b> <b>ANDRADE, YOUR TAKEAWAY?</b> <b>>> Andrade: MY TAKEAWAY FROM</b> <b>2024 IS THE SAME AS I HAD IN</b> <b>2023, WHICH WAS JUST TRY AND</b> <b>MAXIMIZE SENATOR BROXSON'S</b> <b>POTENTIAL.</b> <b>I CAME INTO THIS TERM</b> <b>UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR SENATOR</b> <b>HAD SPENT HIS TIME IN PUBLIC</b> <b>OFFICE TO GET TO THIS POINT TO</b> <b>HAVE THIS INFLUENCE TO IMPACT</b> <b>OUR COMMUNITY, AND I CAN'T TAKE</b> <b>CREDIT FOR THE SOURCES.</b> <b>IF YOU LOOK AT OUR AREA, WE'RE</b> <b>COMPETING FOR TALENT FOR OUR</b> <b>PROFESSORS.</b> <b>APPROPRIATIONS, GOING TO THE</b> <b>NON-RECURRING SIDE, SO THIS WAS</b> <b>THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT WE</b> <b>FUNDED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION</b> <b>DOLLARS IN GENERAL REVENUE ON</b> <b>TOP OF OUR TR FUND FOR THINGS LE</b> <b>ROADS.</b> <b>SENATOR BROXSON HAD AN OUTSIZED</b> <b>ROLE IN MAKING SURE THAT FUNDING</b> <b>CAME TO OUR AREA.</b> <b>HE DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB.</b> <b>MY INTENT SUCCEEDED AS WELL.</b> <b>>> Weeks: GOOD DEAL.</b> <b>AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE RECEIVED</b> <b>MANY QUESTIONS, BUT THERE'S</b> <b>STILL TIME FOR MORE.</b> <b>YOU CAN EMAIL US INFO AT</b> <b>WSRE.ORG OR YOU CAN SEND US A</b> <b>MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK.</b> <b>WELL, THIS IS NOT NEWS TO</b> <b>ANYONE, BECAUSE FORECASTERS</b> <b>AROUND THE NATION HAVE BEEN</b> <b>QUITE ADAMANT THAT WE ARE</b> <b>PROBABLY HEADED INTO ONE OF THE</b> <b>MOST ACTIVE HURRICANE SE SEASONS</b> <b>WE'VE SEEN IN MANY YEARS.</b> <b>HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE WRONG.</b> <b>THEY FEEL LIKE THE CLIMATE IS</b> <b>SETTING UP IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT</b> <b>WILL BE AN ACTIVE SEASON.</b> <b>PROBABLY ONE OF THE THINGS ON</b> <b>THE MINDS OF MOST FLORIDIANS IS</b> <b>INSURANCE.</b> <b>AND WE HAVE MANY, MANY QUESTIONS</b> <b>ABOUT INSURANCE.</b> <b>I'M GOING TO BEGIN WITH A</b> <b>QUESTION FROM A VIEWER AND A</b> <b>CONSTITUENT FROM GULF BREEZE.</b> <b>AND SHE SAYS, I'M CONCERNED OVER</b> <b>THE LACK OF BOUNDARIES THE</b> <b>LEGISLATURE APPEARS TO BE</b> <b>PLACING ON INSURANCE COMPANIES</b> <b>IN FLORIDA.</b> <b>SHE SAYS, I FULLY REALIZE THAT</b> <b>WE ARE ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW,</b> <b>STICKING OUT, THAT WE'RE VERY</b> <b>VULNERABLE TO THE GULF AND THE</b> <b>ATLANTIC, BUT THERE MUST BE A</b> <b>POTENTIALLY CREATIVE SOLUTION TO</b> <b>THE INCREASES IN OUR INSURANCE</b> <b>RATES AND SOME OF THE RULES</b> <b>REGARDING COMPANIES DROPPING</b> <b>CUSTOMERS ONCE CALAMITY STRIKES.</b> <b>I'LL BEGIN WITH YOU, AGAIN,</b> <b>SENATOR BROXSON, TO ADDRESS THE</b> <b>INSURANCE ISSUE.</b> <b>>> Broxson: IT'S A VERY</b> <b>COMPLICATED ISSUE THAT WE</b> <b>DEFERRED THE SOLUTION FOR YEARS</b> <b>AND YEARS.</b> <b>WE HAVE TWO CHOICES -- WE CAN</b> <b>WRITE ALL THE INSURANCE IN</b> <b>FLORIDA THROUGH CITIZENS, WHICH</b> <b>IS OWNED BY THE STATE OF</b> <b>FLORIDA.</b> <b>EVERYONE WOULD ENJOY A</b> <b>PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE RISK.</b> <b>WE'VE HESITATED IN DOING THAT.</b> <b>OR WE CAN ENCOURAGE AND SET UP</b> <b>WAYS THAT WE CAN HAVE FOR-PROFIT</b> <b>INSURANCE COMPANIES DO BUSINESS.</b> <b>THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY PROFIT IN</b> <b>THE LAST FIVE YEARS.</b> <b>THEY'VE GONE UNDER.</b> <b>WE'VE SEEN MORE THAN A DOZEN</b> <b>COMPANIES GO UNDER.</b> <b>SO WE HAD TO DO A DEEP DIVE INTO</b> <b>THE FLUFF THAT WAS GENERATING --</b> <b>NOT HURRICANES.</b> <b>WE CAN HANDLE HURRICANES.</b> <b>IT'S ALL THOSE OTHER FACTORS.</b> <b>LITIGATION, FRAUDULENT VENDORS</b> <b>WHO WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE</b> <b>ASSIGNMENT BENEFITS.</b> <b>IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN</b> <b>TOMORROW.</b> <b>IT WILL HAPPEN, I CAN ASSURE YOU</b> <b>OF THAT.</b> <b>WE'RE ALL VICTIMS, BECAUSE MY</b> <b>RATES HAVE GONE UP THREE TIMES.</b> <b>AND I THINK EVERYONE HERE CAN</b> <b>SAY THE SAME THING.</b> <b>IT'S SOMETHING TO BE VERY</b> <b>CONCERNED ABOUT WITH HURRICANE</b> <b>SEASON COMING.</b> <b>COMPANIES ARE VERY NERVOUS ABOUT</b> <b>FLORIDA.</b> <b>WE'RE THE THIRD-BIGGEST</b> <b>CATASTROPHIC AREA IN THE WORLD.</b> <b>AND WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO</b> <b>UNDERWRITE IT WHERE PEOPLE CAN</b> <b>AFFORD PREMIUMS AND HOPEFULLY</b> <b>THIS TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO DO</b> <b>THAT.</b> <b>WE'LL BE IN A BETTER POSITION IN</b> <b>THE YEARS TO COME.</b> <b>>> AND JUST SO PEOPLE</b> <b>UNDERSTAND, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT</b> <b>ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS, MY</b> <b>FAMILY ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED</b> <b>SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF</b> <b>WHAT SENATOR BROXSON WAS TALKING</b> <b>ABOUT.</b> <b>WE SUSTAINED SOME ROOF DAMAGE A</b> <b>COUPLE YEARS BACK ON OUR HOME.</b> <b>FORTUNATELY, I HAVE A ROOFER WHO</b> <b>LIVES ONE BLOCK OVER FROM US</b> <b>WHO'S A FRIEND.</b> <b>SO HE CAME BY AND EVALUATED OUR</b> <b>ROOF AND SAID YOU'VE GOT $20,000</b> <b>WORTH OF DAMAGE.</b> <b>AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE</b> <b>ON THE HOOK FOR 6,000 OF IT.</b> <b>AND HONEST MAN, GOOD FRIEND,</b> <b>LIVES ACROSS THE STREET.</b> <b>NOT THE NEXT DAY WE HAD A</b> <b>FLY-BY-NIGHT COMPANY STOP BY.</b> <b>THEY WERE TOURING THE</b> <b>NEIGHBORHOOD.</b> <b>THEY STOPPED AT OUR HOUSE.</b> <b>WE KNOW WHAT THE DAMAGE IS.</b> <b>WE'VE BEEN TOLD.</b> <b>THE FLY-BY-NIGHT PERSON PULLS UP</b> <b>TO THE HOUSE, HOPS OUT, KNOCKS</b> <b>ON THE DOOR, TELLS MY WIFE IT'S</b> <b>GOING TO COST ABOUT 60,000 TO</b> <b>FIX YOUR ROOF.</b> <b>HERE, SIGN THIS.</b> <b>AND YOU WON'T BE ON THE HOOK FOR</b> <b>A SINGLE PENNY.</b> <b>WHAT HE WAS ASKING MY WIFE TO</b> <b>SIGN WAS AN ASSIGNMENT OF</b> <b>BENEFITS.</b> <b>IN OTHER WORDS, HE WANTED US TO</b> <b>GIVE HIM THE RIGHT TO SUE OUR</b> <b>HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.</b> <b>AND THESE WERE SOME OF THE</b> <b>ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF</b> <b>FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS, PEOPLE WHO</b> <b>DON'T HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF</b> <b>FLORIDIANS AT HEART.</b> <b>I GOT TO LEARN THAT FIRST-HAND.</b> <b>THIS WAS LONG BEFORE I JUMPED</b> <b>INTO POLITICS.</b> <b>>> THERE ARE THREE MAIN COST</b> <b>DRIVERS FOR YOUR PREMIUM, YOUR</b> <b>PROPERTY INSURANCE.</b> <b>ONE IS THE HURRICANES THAT</b> <b>HAPPEN.</b> <b>I CAN'T CONTROL THE WEATHER.</b> <b>WE CAN'T LEGISLATE THE WEATHER.</b> <b>BUT IF IT COST 40% MORE TO</b> <b>REBUILD YOUR HOME AND IT'S WORTH</b> <b>TWICE AS MUCH AS IN 2019 THAT</b> <b>COST IS GOING TO W BE IN YOUR</b> <b>PREMIUM.</b> <b>THE OTHER IS LITIGATION.</b> <b>WE'VE DONE EXTREME AMOUNTS OF</b> <b>WORK ON CURTAILING FRIVOLOUS</b> <b>LITIGATION.</b> <b>THE THIRD IS THE COST OF</b> <b>REINSURANCE.</b> <b>THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD</b> <b>POTENTIALLY EXPAND OUR ROLE AT</b> <b>THE STATE IN, AT THE COST OF</b> <b>SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS.</b> <b>SO, I WORKED ON THE POLICY THIS</b> <b>YEAR THAT DID NOT PASS.</b> <b>BUT THAT IS A POLICY ON</b> <b>REINSURANCE BECAUSE THAT'S A</b> <b>SIGNIFICANT COST FOR OUR</b> <b>FIRST-PARTY PROPERTY INSURERS.</b> <b>I WANT THAT CONSTITUENT TO KNOW</b> <b>WE HAVE SEVEN NEW COMPANIES</b> <b>COMING INTO THE MARKET THIS</b> <b>YEAR.</b> <b>AND OUR OFFICE OF INSURANCE</b> <b>REGULATIONS REPORTING STAGNATION</b> <b>OR REDUCTION IN PREMIUMS THIS</b> <b>YEAR ON TOP OF THE FACT THAT WE</b> <b>DID DO, IN OUR BUDGET THAT HAS</b> <b>NOT BEEN SIGNED, KNOCK ON WOOD,</b> <b>A REMITTANCE IN TAXES ON YOUR</b> <b>PREMIUM THAT WILL HOPEFULLY SHOW</b> <b>SAVINGS FOR HOMEOWNERS.</b> <b>>> ONE OTHER THING WE WE'VE DON,</b> <b>WE DIDN'T JUST LOOK AT THE</b> <b>INSURANCE CRISIS, BUT HOW CAN WE</b> <b>DO A BETTER JOB AT RESPONDING TO</b> <b>THESE EMERGENCIES SO WE DON'T</b> <b>HAVE PEOPLE KNOCKING ON DOORS</b> <b>TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO SIGN</b> <b>THEIR RIGHTS AWAY.</b> <b>AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AS WELL</b> <b>AS THE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES</b> <b>HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF</b> <b>CREATING PLANS.</b> <b>WHEN WE HAD HURRICANE IAN COME</b> <b>THROUGH, WITHIN 24 HOURS THE</b> <b>CFO'S OFFICE HAD SET UP AN</b> <b>EMERGENCY TENT AT THE ONLY</b> <b>ENTRANCE TO THE AREA THAT WAS</b> <b>MOST BADLY HIT.</b> <b>SO WHEN PEOPLE DROVE IN THEY HAD</b> <b>TO CHECK IN.</b> <b>THEY SAID IF YOU HAVE AN</b> <b>INSURANCE CLAIM, HERE'S THE</b> <b>PHONE NUMBER.</b> <b>THAT WAY WE WEREN'T GETTING</b> <b>PEOPLE -- THERE WERE A FEW THAT</b> <b>TRIED TO GET INTO THE AREA.</b> <b>WE'VE DONE THINGS LIKE</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVE ANDRADE SAID,</b> <b>WITH TAX REDUCTION.</b> <b>AND WE HAVE THE TIME WHEN YOU</b> <b>CAN SHOP FOR TAX-EXEMPT</b> <b>PURCHASES.</b> <b>SO WE'RE DOING OPERATIONAL</b> <b>THINGS AS WELL, LOOKING AT OUR</b> <b>PROCEDURES ON HOW WE RESPOND SO</b> <b>WE CAN CREATE A BETTER</b> <b>ENVIRONMENT FOR FLORIDIANS WHEN</b> <b>WE DO, WHICH WILL END UP SAVING</b> <b>MONEY IN THE LONG RUN AS WELL.</b> <b>>> COULD I ADD SOMETHING?</b> <b>ONE THING THE LEGISLATURE DID</b> <b>WAS, WE REFILLED THE POT OF</b> <b>MONEY FOR PEOPLE TO HELP THEM</b> <b>AFFORD HARDENING THEIR OWN</b> <b>HOMES.</b> <b>SO IT'S A PRIVATE SECTOR FOCUSED</b> <b>PROCESS TO HELP EVERYBODY'S</b> <b>INSURANCE RATES, BECAUSE IT WILL</b> <b>HOPEFULLY KEEP THE DAMAGE DOWN</b> <b>WHEN A SERIOUS STORM COMES.</b> <b>>> JEFF, I HAVE A UNIQUE</b> <b>PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE I TELL MY</b> <b>CONSTITUENTS THAT I'VE ALREADY</b> <b>LIVED THROUGH AN INSURANCE</b> <b>CRISIS, BECAUSE AS A PHYSICIAN,</b> <b>FLORIDA DEALT WITH A MALPRACTICE</b> <b>INSURANCE CRISIS BACK WHEN I WAS</b> <b>TRAINING IN DAYTONA BEACH.</b> <b>AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, AS A</b> <b>FAMILY PRACTICE RESIDENT MY</b> <b>TEACHERS WERE TELLING ME THAT I</b> <b>WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PRACTICE IN</b> <b>THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE BECAUSE I</b> <b>WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE</b> <b>MALPRACTICE INSURANCE.</b> <b>THANKFULLY, BACK IN THE LATE</b> <b>' 90s, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE</b> <b>INTRODUCED SOME OF THE SAME</b> <b>EXACT POLICIES, THE SAME EXACT</b> <b>APPROACH THAT WE JUST TOOK</b> <b>TOWARDS HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE</b> <b>BACK IN OUR SPECIAL SESSION FOR</b> <b>2022.</b> <b>SO I HAVE SEEN THIS APPROACH</b> <b>WORK.</b> <b>BY THE TIME I GRADUATED FROM MY</b> <b>RESIDENCY, MY MALPRACTICE</b> <b>PREMIUM WASN'T MY BIGGEST</b> <b>EXPENDITURE.</b> <b>WHEN I TELL MY CONSTITUENTS, I</b> <b>SAY THE FIX HAS ALREADY BEEN</b> <b>APPLIED.</b> <b>NOW YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO</b> <b>WORK.</b> <b>THE CHANGES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT</b> <b>YOU WON'T SEE IN EFFECT IN THREE</b> <b>MONTHS, BUT I CAN TELL YOU, I</b> <b>WAS DROPPED FROM MY HOMEOWNER'S</b> <b>INSURANCE BACK IN MARCH.</b> <b>WE'RE NOW A GOOD COUPLE MONTHS</b> <b>AFTER OUR "FIX.

"</b> <b>WHEN I HIT THE OPEN MARKET TO</b> <b>LOOK FOR HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE I</b> <b>FOUND THE SAME PLAN AT A 50%</b> <b>RATE REDUCTION.</b> <b>SO, MY ADVICE TO CONSTITUENTS IS</b> <b>GET OUT THERE, SHOP AROUND.</b> <b>I USED TO PAY $8,000 A YEAR FOR</b> <b>MY HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.</b> <b>THIS YEAR I'M PAYING 4,000.</b> <b>SO I KNOW THE CHANGES ARE</b> <b>WORKING.</b> <b>I'M LIVING PROOF OF IT.</b> <b>>> CAN I ADD ONE THING?</b> <b>>> Weeks: PLEASE.</b> <b>>> THIS DISCUSSION, IN MANY</b> <b>DELEGATIONS ACROSS THE STATE IS</b> <b>SO HOSTILE THEY CANNOT HAVE A</b> <b>MEETING LIKE WE'RE HAVING.</b> <b>YOU'VE HEARD FIVE OPINIONS HERE.</b> <b>WE KNOW WE HAVE A PROBLEM.</b> <b>WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE HURTING.</b> <b>WE HEAR IT EVERY DAY, PEOPLE</b> <b>HAVE SEEN THEIR RATES DOUBLE AND</b> <b>TRIPLE ON FIXED INCOMES.</b> <b>IT'S A HORRIBLE SITUATION.</b> <b>BUT IT'S ONE THAT WE ARE</b> <b>SERIOUSLY TRYING TO DO AS IF</b> <b>THEY WERE SETTING GOOD</b> <b>COMMONSENSE POLICY.</b> <b>NO ONE HERE HAS SAID THEY'VE</b> <b>TRIED TO TAKE THIS ISSUE AND</b> <b>POLITICIZE IT.</b> <b>IT'S NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.</b> <b>IT'S A HARD-NUMBER ISSUE THAT</b> <b>WE'RE TRYING TO RESOLVE.</b> <b>I WANT TO APPLAUD MY COLLEAGUES</b> <b>FOR THE HARD WORK THEY'VE DONE</b> <b>TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY EXPLAIN</b> <b>THIS TO THE PEOPLE HERE, AND</b> <b>ASKING THEM TO BE PATIENT</b> <b>BECAUSE HELP IS ON THE WAY.</b> <b>>> Weeks: A CONSTITUENT ALSO</b> <b>SENT THIS IN, I'M NOT SURE FROM</b> <b>WHICH TOWN, BUT HE SAYS, IS</b> <b>THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THAT THE</b> <b>STATE CAN PERMIT OR EVEN</b> <b>ENCOURAGE THE USE OF A</b> <b>CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WRITTEN</b> <b>INTO INSURANCE POLICIES TO</b> <b>SETTLE CLAIMS, DISPUTES, THROUGH</b> <b>ARBITRATION RATHER THAN</b> <b>LITIGATION IN EXCHANGE FOR</b> <b>PREMIUMS THAT REFLECT THE LOWER</b> <b>RISK?</b> <b>YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY.</b> <b>I'LL THROW THAT TO YOU FIRST,</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVE ANDRADE.</b> <b>>> Andrade: YEAH.</b> <b>INSURANCE COMPANIES RIGHT NOW</b> <b>CAN REQUIRE NONBINDING</b> <b>MEDIATION, ARBITRATION.</b> <b>YOU CAN NEGOTIATE FOR A</b> <b>REDUCTION IN SEVERAL OF YOUR</b> <b>RISKS.</b> <b>I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY RECOMMEND</b> <b>A CONSUMER SIGN AWAY THEIR RIGHT</b> <b>TO GO TO COURT IN THAT CONTEXT,</b> <b>BECAUSE YOU'RE OPERATING IN A</b> <b>SYSTEM WHERE A VERY WELL-HEELED,</b> <b>FINANCED CORPORATION HAS LAWYERS</b> <b>WHO PRACTICE IN INSURANCE</b> <b>DEFENSE EVERY DAY SUDDENLY GOING</b> <b>INTO AN ARBITRATOR'S OFFICE,</b> <b>ANOTHER LAWYER'S OFFICE OR A</b> <b>PANEL OF LAWYER'S OFFICE.</b> <b>AND YOU'RE PROBABLY ON THE BACK</b> <b>FOOT IN THAT SITUATION, WHEREAS</b> <b>YOUR RIGHT TO OUR JUDICIAL</b> <b>SYSTEM IS FREE OTHER THAN MAYBE</b> <b>THE COST OF FILING YOUR LAWSUIT</b> <b>AND $40 TO SERVE THE INSURANCE</b> <b>COMPANY.</b> <b>SO I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY SAY</b> <b>THAT'S A GOOD IDEA IN PRACTICE.</b> <b>BUT EVERY TIME YOU SIGN AN</b> <b>EXCLUSION ON A PROPERTY</b> <b>INSURANCE POLICY, YOU'RE TAKING</b> <b>ON MORE RISK TO SAVE MUS MONEY.</b> <b>I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY</b> <b>STATUTORY RESTRICTION ON ANY</b> <b>TYPE OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE</b> <b>RESOLUTION AGREEMENT IN A</b> <b>CONTRACT RIGHT NOW.</b> <b>>> Weeks: ANYBODY LIKE TO ADD</b> <b>TO THAT?</b> <b>IF NOT, I WILL PIGGYBACK ON A</b> <b>QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.</b> <b>AND KIND OF THE SAME SCENARIO</b> <b>HERE, TALKING ABOUT THE HIGH</b> <b>COST OF INSURANCE.</b> <b>BUT THEY'RE MAKING THE</b> <b>STATEMENT, WE'VE HAD 125%</b> <b>INCREASE IN FIVE YEARS.</b> <b>AND THIS PERSON IS SAYING SHE IS</b> <b>ACTUALLY SAYING, I'M FROM</b> <b>NICEVILLE.</b> <b>I'M TIRED OF PAYING FOR</b> <b>BEACHFRONT SECOND HOMEOWNER'S</b> <b>INSURANCE WHEN I HAVE LITTLE OR</b> <b>NO ACCESS TO THE BEACH.</b> <b>SHE'S IMPLYING THAT SHE'S TAKING</b> <b>THE LOAD FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE</b> <b>LIVING RIGHT ON THE WATER VERSUS</b> <b>SOMEBODY WHO'S FARTHER INLAND.</b> <b>ANY THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, OR WAYS</b> <b>TO DEAL WITH IT?</b> <b>>> THE ACTUAL NUMBERS SHOW THAT</b> <b>THAT IS NOT CORRECT, THAT YOU</b> <b>HAVE A PROPORT PROPORTIONATE NUF</b> <b>LOSSES INLAND AS ON THE COAST.</b> <b>WE HAD TO ELEVATE AND BUILD UP</b> <b>STRONGER.</b> <b>SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE MANY</b> <b>FLOOD CLAIMS LIKE YOU DID</b> <b>BEFORE.</b> <b>WIND STORM, IF YOU HAVE AN IVAN</b> <b>OR IN THIS CASE WE HAD SELLLIE</b> <b>THAT WAS MORE OF A WATER STORM</b> <b>THAT WAS A WINDSTORM, THOSE</b> <b>THINGS SHOULD NOT, FOR A</b> <b>HARDENED HOUSE, SHOULD NOT BE</b> <b>IMPACTED BY A STORM.</b> <b>THAT'S OUR GOAL, IS TO HARDEN</b> <b>HOMES SO PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE</b> <b>LOSSES AND PREMIUMS SHOULD GO</b> <b>DOWN.</b> <b>>> Weeks: OKAY.</b> <b>LET'S MOVE ON AND WE'LL CONTINUE</b> <b>TO TALK ABOUT HOMEOWNERSHIP.</b> <b>AND THIS PERSON IS ASKING, WHAT</b> <b>ABOUT APPRAISAL FRAUD?</b> <b>SO, THIS IS ONE HERE.</b> <b>I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHERE SHE'S</b> <b>GOING.</b> <b>I'M GOING TO SUMMARIZE A LITTLE</b> <b>BIT HERE OF WHAT I BELIEVE SHE</b> <b>IS TRYING TO GET ACROSS.</b> <b>SHE SAID, I BET THE MODERATOR</b> <b>ISN'T BRAVE ENOUGH TO BRING UP</b> <b>THE SECOND QUESTION HERE.</b> <b>YOU'RE INCORRECT ABOUT THAT.</b> <b>SHE'S ASKING ABOUT APPRAISAL</b> <b>FRAUD.</b> <b>AND APPARENTLY TRYING -- HER</b> <b>SECOND QUESTION IS TRYING TO TIE</b> <b>IT TO WALL STREET BANKS.</b> <b>SHE REFERENCES A BOOK BY</b> <b>SOMEONE.</b> <b>I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE THEM A</b> <b>PLUG.</b> <b>I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE</b> <b>BOOK.</b> <b>IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE</b> <b>AWARE OF, OR AN ISSUE THAT IS A</b> <b>PROBLEM IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA?</b> <b>>> SO, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT</b> <b>KINDS OF APPRAISALS.</b> <b>I'M ASSUMING THAT THAT QUESTION</b> <b>IS RELATED TO THE APPRAISAL OF</b> <b>THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME AND NOT</b> <b>THE INSURANCE ADR POLICY OF AN</b> <b>APPRAISAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION</b> <b>PROCESS THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN</b> <b>MOST CONTRACTS.</b> <b>IF SHE'S TALKING ABOUT SOME KIND</b> <b>OF PLAN WHERE BANKS ARE</b> <b>INCENTIVIZED TO APPRAISE HOMES</b> <b>FOR A HIGHER VALUE, WHAT SHE'S</b> <b>TALKING ABOUT IS THE HOUSING</b> <b>CRISIS ISSUE THAT OCCURRED IN</b> <b>2007, 2008.</b> <b>I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE THAT</b> <b>SAME OCCURRENCE.</b> <b>I DO BELIEVE THAT THE VALUE OF</b> <b>OUR HOMES ARE INCREASING BECAUSE</b> <b>WE HAVE A THOUSAND PEOPLE MOVING</b> <b>FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND</b> <b>WANTING TO BE HERE TODAY.</b> <b>AND ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES ON</b> <b>AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS DEMAND FOR</b> <b>HOUSING.</b> <b>AND THAT'S A SELF-INFLICTED</b> <b>PROBLEM THAT WE'VE CREATED</b> <b>BECAUSE WE'VE MADE FLORIDA SUCH</b> <b>AN APPEALING PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO</b> <b>MOVE TO.</b> <b>BUT I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANY</b> <b>TYPE OF ORGANIZED APPRAISAL</b> <b>FRAUD OR ANY TYPE OF INFLATION</b> <b>VALUE OF PROPERTIES LIKE WE SAW</b> <b>IN THE EARLY 2000s.</b> <b>>> CLEARLY THOSE WERE ISSUED</b> <b>DURING THE GREAT FINANCIAL</b> <b>CRISIS, BUT AGAIN, IF YOU FOLLOW</b> <b>WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE NEWS,</b> <b>UNLESS YOU KNOW SOMETHING WE</b> <b>DON'T, THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE</b> <b>SOMETHING THAT'S TOP OF MIND.</b> <b>NOT TO SUGGEST THAT IT DOESN'T</b> <b>HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY OR MAY NOT</b> <b>BE GOING ON SOMEWHERE OR THAT</b> <b>THERE AREN'T BAD ACTORS, BUT IT</b> <b>DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A</b> <b>WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.</b> <b>PROPERTY TAXES, HOWEVER, ARE</b> <b>GOING UP.</b> <b>AND ONE OF OUR VIEWERS FROM</b> <b>PENSACOLA SAYS PROPERTY TAXES</b> <b>HAVE INCREASED TO WHAT HE REFERS</b> <b>TO AS UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS.</b> <b>WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE THESE</b> <b>TAXES?</b> <b>SHOULDN'T PEOPLE SUCH AS THOSE</b> <b>IN AREAS WITH HOUSES AND</b> <b>BUSINESSES ON BARRIER ISLANDS BE</b> <b>FORCED TO PAY WAY MORE OR MODIFY</b> <b>THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES?</b> <b>I THINK HE'S MIXING TOGETHER</b> <b>PROPERTY TAXES AND INSURANCE</b> <b>THERE.</b> <b>SO, KIND OF TWO DIFFERENT BALLS</b> <b>OF WAX, IF YOU WILL.</b> <b>WE'VE COVERED INSURANCE.</b> <b>BUT TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT</b> <b>PROPERTY TAXES.</b> <b>PROPERTY TAXES GO UP AS REAL</b> <b>ESTATE VALUES GO UP.</b> <b>ANY COMMENTS ON THAT?</b> <b>>> I'VE GOT A GREAT AMENDMENT</b> <b>THEY SHOULD VOTE ON IN NOVEMBER.</b> <b>[ LAUGHING ]</b> <b>>> WE'RE PUTTING ON THE BALLOT</b> <b>AN AMENDMENT TO INFLATION ADJUST</b> <b>YOUR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.</b> <b>THAT'S SOMETHING I FULLY PLAN ON</b> <b>VOTING FOR.</b> <b>$25,000 TAX EXEMPTION, BACK IN</b> <b>2005 IS NOT THE SAME SAVINGS FOR</b> <b>A HOMEOWNER AS IT WOULD BE IN</b> <b>2025.</b> <b>AS FAR AS PROPERTY TAXES</b> <b>OVERALL, A LOT OF THAT IS</b> <b>HANDLED LOCALLY, YOUR LOCAL</b> <b>DIFFERENT BOARDS VOTING ON</b> <b>RAISING THE RATE OR A FEE, OR</b> <b>ALTERING IMPACT FEES.</b> <b>WE DID HAVE A FEW LOCAL BILLS ON</b> <b>SOME FIRE DISTRICTS THAT</b> <b>AFFECTED PROPERTY TAXES.</b> <b>BUT I DON'T KNOW.</b> <b>WE DON'T LEVY PROPERTY TAXES AS</b> <b>A STATE.</b> <b>>> Weeks: ANY OTHER COMMENTS?</b> <b>>> WELL, I WOULD MENTION THE TAX</b> <b>COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION FOR THE</b> <b>LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BROUGHT</b> <b>BILLS TO THE LEGISLATURE THAT</b> <b>HAVE PASSED THAT CUT THE FEES</b> <b>THAT THE TAX COLLECTORS HAVE.</b> <b>AND THEY CUT THE COST OF VARIOUS</b> <b>SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.</b> <b>SO, I THINK AS FAR AS THE STATE</b> <b>GOES AND AS FAR AS THE LOCAL TAX</b> <b>COLLECTORS GO, WE'RE TRYING TO</b> <b>KEEP THE COST DOWN AS MUCH AS WE</b> <b>CAN.</b> <b>I MEAN, FLORIDA IS AWARE WE'VE</b> <b>GOT A HOUSING SHORTAGE,</b> <b>AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE.</b> <b>AND THE LEGISLATURE'S TRYING TO</b> <b>ADDRESS IT IN THE WAYS THAT WE</b> <b>CAN.</b> <b>BUT AS REPRESENTATIVE ANDRADE</b> <b>SAID, THOSE ACTUAL ASSESSMENTS</b> <b>AND COLLECTIONS ARE DONE</b> <b>LOCALLY, NOT BY TALLAHASSEE.</b> <b>>> I THINK IT'S A VALID POINT.</b> <b>NOT AS MUCH IN THE PANHANDLE,</b> <b>BUT IN THE -- BELOW TALLAHASSEE,</b> <b>THE COUNTIES AND THE CITIES ARE</b> <b>PRETTY FLUSH WITH MONEY.</b> <b>THEY'RE VERY COMPETITIVE IN</b> <b>RECRUITING OUR POLICE FORCES AND</b> <b>IT'S BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR</b> <b>FLORIDA AND HOW DO WE COMPETE</b> <b>WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT.</b> <b>THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION THIS</b> <b>YEAR ABOUT US SPEAKING TO THAT.</b> <b>WE DID THAT ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO</b> <b>WHEN VALUES WENT UP AND THERE</b> <b>WAS NO CONSIDERATION AT THE</b> <b>LOCAL LEVEL FOR REDUCING THE</b> <b>MILLAGE.</b> <b>I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IN THE</b> <b>COMING YEAR THAT THE LEGISLATURE</b> <b>SPEAKS TO THAT AND MANDATES THAT</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVE ANDRADE IS</b> <b>SAYING.</b> <b>WE HAVE TO BE REASONABLE WITH</b> <b>WHAT WE ALLOW OUR COUNTIES AND</b> <b>CITIES TO CHARGE.</b> <b>>> Weeks: OKAY.</b> <b>FAIR ENOUGH.</b> <b>LET'S MOVE ON TO EDUCATION.</b> <b>ACTUALLY, JUST BEFORE WE WENT ON</b> <b>THE AIR TONIGHT, SOME GOOD NEWS</b> <b>AS FAR AS MONEY FLOWING TOWARDS</b> <b>EDUCATION THIS YEAR.</b> <b>1.125 BILLION, I BELIEVE, FOR</b> <b>EDUCATION.</b> <b>TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW SOME</b> <b>OF THAT MONEY'S GOING TO BE</b> <b>USED.</b> <b>>> WELL, A LOT OF IT'S GOING TO</b> <b>BE USED FOR VOUCHERS, FREEDOM OF</b> <b>CHOICE.</b> <b>WE'RE GOING TO SEE A RECORD</b> <b>NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WILL MOVE</b> <b>THEIR CHILDREN TO PLACES WHERE</b> <b>THEY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN GET A</b> <b>BETTER EDUCATION.</b> <b>AND THE GOVERNOR IS VERY STRONG</b> <b>ON THIS.</b> <b>THE SENATE SPEAKER INTRODUCED</b> <b>HOUSE BILL 1 LAST YEAR THAT</b> <b>MANDATED THAT YOU COULD TAKE</b> <b>WHAT THE STATE ALLOCATES PER</b> <b>STUDENT AND TRANSPORT IT TO THE</b> <b>SCHOOL THAT YOU WANTED TO GO TO,</b> <b>INCLUDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS.</b> <b>WE'RE GOING TO AGAIN SEE</b> <b>TEACHER'S RAISES GO UP.</b> <b>BUT IT'S NOT ONLY TEACHER'S</b> <b>RAISES.</b> <b>WE'VE SEEN A TREMENDOUS INCREASE</b> <b>IN HEALTH INSURANCE.</b> <b>THE STATE IN MOST CASES HAS</b> <b>EATEN THAT INCREASE.</b> <b>SO THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT</b> <b>FOR BEING A STATE EMPLOYEE</b> <b>THROUGH SCHOOL BOARDS AND OTHER</b> <b>STATE EMPLOYEES.</b> <b>SO, WE'RE NOT DOING BAD AS FAR</b> <b>AS EDUCATION.</b> <b>WE'VE DONE SOME GOOD THINGS.</b> <b>AND I THINK FLORIDA'S A BETTER</b> <b>PLACE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS</b> <b>THAN IT WAS BEFORE THEN.</b> <b>>> JEFF, I'LL TALK FROM A LEVEL</b> <b>OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.</b> <b>I'VE GOT TWO CHILDREN.</b> <b>I SENT MY DAUGHTER OUT OF STATE</b> <b>TO WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A PUBLIC</b> <b>IVY INSTITUTION, WILLIAM AND</b> <b>MARY.</b> <b>VERY EXPENSIVE UNIVERSITY.</b> <b>MY SON, ON THE OTHER HAND, CHOSE</b> <b>TO STAY IN-STATE, FLORIDA</b> <b>ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY.</b> <b>I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE ARE MORE</b> <b>PLEASED WITH THE EDUCATION THAT</b> <b>MY SON HAS RECEIVED FROM FLORIDA</b> <b>ATLANTIC THAN MY DAUGHTER</b> <b>RECEIVED FROM A "PUBLIC IVY.

"</b> <b>SO AGAIN, I THINK WE NEED TO</b> <b>REMIND THE VIEWERS THAT FLORIDA</b> <b>IS TOPS AS FAR AS EDUCATION IS</b> <b>CONCERNED.</b> <b>I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SERVE</b> <b>ON THE HIGHER ED SUBCOMMITTEE IN</b> <b>THE HOUSE.</b> <b>OUR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES DO</b> <b>AN EXCELLENT JOB EDUCATING OUR</b> <b>YOUTH.</b> <b>AND I HAVE SEEN THOSE</b> <b>STATISTICS.</b> <b>I HAVE SEEN THOSE NUMBERS.</b> <b>MY ADVICE TO PARENTS OF HIGH</b> <b>SCHOOL KIDS IS TO -- IF THERE'S</b> <b>ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOUR</b> <b>CHILD IN-STATE, YOU ARE GETTING</b> <b>THE BEST VALUE IN THE EDUCATION</b> <b>BUSINESS TODAY.</b> <b>>> OF COURSE YOU'RE TALKING</b> <b>ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION.</b> <b>I HAVE A CONSTITUENT HERE FROM</b> <b>PENSACOLA.</b> <b>AND HE IS STATING, PENSACOLA</b> <b>STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND</b> <b>ACADEMICS IS A SAD STATE OF</b> <b>AFFAIRS.</b> <b>THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS</b> <b>SOME CHILDREN FOR TEN HOURS A</b> <b>DAY.</b> <b>MANY IN PENSACOLA ARE</b> <b>LOWER-INCOME STUDENTS WHO ONLY</b> <b>HAVE ONE PARENT AT HOME.</b> <b>THE QUESTION IS, WHY ARE WE</b> <b>SENDING KINDERGARTENERS HOME</b> <b>WITH HOMEWORK?</b> <b>I'M NOT SURE THAT FALLS IN YOUR</b> <b>WHEELHOUSE.</b> <b>THE SECOND QUESTION IS -- THIS</b> <b>IS A FAIR QUESTION.</b> <b>WHY AREN'T WE PROVIDING REMEDIAL</b> <b>HELP DURING BEFORE-SCHOOL AND</b> <b>AFTER-SCHOOL CARE?</b> <b>>> WE DO THAT.</b> <b>OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT</b> <b>SPECIFICALLY.</b> <b>I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE</b> <b>STATE, BUT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT</b> <b>SPECIFICALLY OFFERS BEFORE AND</b> <b>AFTER-SCHOOL HELP.</b> <b>MOSTLY IN THE MIDDLE AND HIGH</b> <b>SCHOOL ERA, BUT YOU CAN STAY</b> <b>LATE OR COME EARLY AND IT IS</b> <b>COVERED.</b> <b>THEY HAVE DESIGNATED TEACHERS AT</b> <b>EVERY SCHOOL THAT SIT WITH THOSE</b> <b>KIDS AND HELP THEM WITH THEIR</b> <b>HOMEWORK, OR HELP THEM WITH AN</b> <b>ISSUE THAT THEY'RE HAVING</b> <b>TROUBLE WITH, OR A SUBJECT</b> <b>MATTER.</b> <b>AND THEN WE ALSO AS A SCHOOL</b> <b>DISTRICT HAVE ONLINE TUTORING</b> <b>AVAILABLE FOR THESE KIDS.</b> <b>THEY CAN ACCESS IT THROUGH THE</b> <b>PARENT PORTAL THAT IS ALREADY</b> <b>THERE.</b> <b>I WOULD ARGUE THAT WE DO THAT</b> <b>CURRENTLY.</b> <b>WHAT WE MIGHT NOT DO SO WELL IS</b> <b>COMMUNICATE WITH THE AT-RISK</b> <b>FAMILIES THAT NEED IT THE MOST.</b> <b>AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE</b> <b>STRUGGLE WITH.</b> <b>WE'VE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH FOR</b> <b>MANY YEARS.</b> <b>IF THEY HAVE SUGGESTIONS OF WAYS</b> <b>TO DO THAT THAT WE HAVE NOT</b> <b>IMPLEMENTED, REACH OUT TO ME AND</b> <b>I WILL BE CERTAIN TO ADD THAT TO</b> <b>THE LIST.</b> <b>I SERVE ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL</b> <b>FOUNDATION BOARD.</b> <b>I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR MANY YEARS.</b> <b>I'M ACTIVE IN THE SCHOOL</b> <b>DISTRICT.</b> <b>I DON'T DO EDUCATION AT THE</b> <b>STATE LEVEL.</b> <b>I DID THAT ON PURPOSE.</b> <b>I WANTED TO LEARN SOMETHING</b> <b>DIFFERENT SO I COULD HAVE MY</b> <b>HAND IN DIFFERENT POTS.</b> <b>WE DO THAT ALREADY.</b> <b>WE PROVIDE A LOT OF RESOURCES.</b> <b>NOT ONLY THAT, BUT MAYBE SENATOR</b> <b>BROXSON WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH ON</b> <b>THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL INITIATIVE</b> <b>WHERE NOW WE'VE EXPANDED IT FROM</b> <b>NOT JUST ELEMENTARY BUT MIDDLE</b> <b>AND NOW INTO HIGH SCHOOL WHERE</b> <b>YOU HAVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU</b> <b>NEED THERE -- A NURSE ON-SITE.</b> <b>EVERYTHING YOU COULD POSSIBLY</b> <b>IMAGINE.</b> <b>NOT JUST FOR THAT CHILD, BUT FOR</b> <b>THE FAMILY.</b> <b>SO WE ARE WORKING ON WAYS TO DO</b> <b>THAT.</b> <b>WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A BIG</b> <b>GAP THERE.</b> <b>AND NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE WE</b> <b>DON'T HAVE THE SERVICES OR THE</b> <b>FUNDING FOR THE SERVICES BUT</b> <b>BECAUSE WE NEED TO REACH THOSE</b> <b>FAMILIES.</b> <b>>> AS FAR AS THE RESTRICTIONS,</b> <b>SO, LAST SESSION, 2023, WE</b> <b>PASSED THIS MONUMENTAL</b> <b>NATION-LEADING INITIATIVE ON</b> <b>VOUCHERS.</b> <b>MONEY FOLLOWS THE CHILD.</b> <b>THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OF SOME VALID</b> <b>ARGUMENTS AND PUSHBACK FROM OUR</b> <b>TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT-RUN</b> <b>PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE WORKED ON</b> <b>DEREGULATING A LOT OF THE</b> <b>RESTRICTIONS THAT PUBLIC SCHOOL</b> <b>SYSTEMS HAVE SAID WOULD PUT THEM</b> <b>AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE</b> <b>FROM THESE VOUCHER SCHOOL</b> <b>PROGRAMS AND SCHOOLS.</b> <b>WHAT THAT MEANT IS WE'VE</b> <b>ELIMINATED A LOT OF THE</b> <b>CATEGORICALS THAT WE DISTRIBUTED</b> <b>WHAT PORTION OF THE BASE STUDENT</b> <b>ALLOCATION COULD GO TO AND PUT</b> <b>MORE OF THE ABILITY BACK INTO</b> <b>THE HANDS OF COOL BOARDS ACROSS</b> <b>THE STATE.</b> <b>ALL 67 COUNTIES, THE OFFICERS</b> <b>THAT MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.</b> <b>ON TOP OF THE AT LEAST</b> <b>$500 MILLION EVERY YEAR SINCE</b> <b>2019, WE'VE PUT TOWARDS TEACHER</b> <b>PAY RAISES, WHICH HAS RAISED OUR</b> <b>AVERAGE STARTING TEACHER PAY</b> <b>FROM 40,000 TO $49,000 EVERY</b> <b>YEAR, WE'VE ALSO INCREASED OUR</b> <b>BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION AND</b> <b>REMOVED A LOT OF THE</b> <b>RESTRICTIONS ON THAT FUNDING SO</b> <b>SCHOOL BOARDS CAN MAKE THE</b> <b>DECISIONS THEY WERE ELECTED TO</b> <b>DO.</b> <b>>> Weeks: PLEASE.</b> <b>>> I WOULD POINT OUT THAT I</b> <b>THINK IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO, THE</b> <b>LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZING THAT</b> <b>CHILDREN WHO ARE BEHIND IN</b> <b>READING IN THE THIRD GRADE HAVE</b> <b>A LOWER CHANCE OF SUCCESS.</b> <b>THE LEGISLATURE CREATED A</b> <b>PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FREE BOOKS</b> <b>MONTHLY TO STUDENTS SO THAT THEY</b> <b>COULD WORK ON THEIR READING AND</b> <b>GET BACK UP TO SPEED.</b> <b>AND A LOT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS</b> <b>HAVE STARTED CAREER AND</b> <b>TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO</b> <b>HELP STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GET ON</b> <b>A CAREER PATH -- NOT A COLLEGE</b> <b>PATH.</b> <b>AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A</b> <b>TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO THESE</b> <b>STUDENTS WHETHER THEY GET IN A</b> <b>MEDICAL TRACK, AN AUTOMOTIVE</b> <b>TRACK, A CARPENTRY TRACK.</b> <b>THEY'RE ALL JOBS THAT PAY WELL</b> <b>THAT WE NEED AS A SOCIETY AND</b> <b>OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE IN THAT</b> <b>SPACE TRYING TO HELP THE</b> <b>STUDENTS GET AHEAD.</b> <b>>> JEFF, IF THERE'S A CHANGE IN</b> <b>FLORIDA AND ACROSS THE NATION,</b> <b>DR.

RUDMAN TALKED ABOUT HIS TWO</b> <b>STUDENTS GOING TO COLLEGE.</b> <b>A LOT OF STUDENTS WILL NOT BE</b> <b>GOING TO COLLEGE.</b> <b>IT'S EXPENSIVE.</b> <b>AND SOMETIMES THE RESULT DOES</b> <b>NOT GIVE YOU THE QUALITY OF</b> <b>WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU</b> <b>NEED.</b> <b>WE'RE GOING TO SEE OUR 28</b> <b>COLLEGES TAKE A LEAD IN</b> <b>VOCATIONAL TRAINING.</b> <b>IT'S GOING TO BE A TITANIC SHIFT</b> <b>IN WHAT WE SEE.</b> <b>BUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS GO</b> <b>BACK TO THE EARLY YEARS OF THE</b> <b>SCHOOL SYSTEM, PEOPLE THAT HAVE</b> <b>NOT BEEN GOOD READERS, THAT HAVE</b> <b>BEEN POOR PERFORMERS AND SAY TO</b> <b>THEM, HANG IN THERE.</b> <b>WE'LL GIVE YOU SOME KIND OF</b> <b>CERTIFICATE OR SOMETHING WHERE</b> <b>YOU CAN GO OUT AND GET A</b> <b>GOOD-PAYING JOB.</b> <b>DON'T GO OUT ON THE STREET.</b> <b>DON'T GIVE UP ON LIFE.</b> <b>IF WE CAN DO THAT, WE CAN ENGAGE</b> <b>THE 28 COLLEGES TO RECRUIT THOSE</b> <b>FOLKS, TO PUT THEM INTO A PLAN</b> <b>WHERE THEY CAN BE A PLUMBER,</b> <b>ELECTRICIAN, OR WORK AT ST</b> <b>ENGINEERING, IT WILL CHANGE OUR</b> <b>SOCIETY.</b> <b>AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE</b> <b>LEGISLATURE DIG IN ON THAT AND</b> <b>MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE, NO</b> <b>MATTER WHAT THEIR GRADE LEVEL,</b> <b>NO MATTER WHAT THEIR GRADES ARE,</b> <b>THEY MAY NOT BE WALKING UP THERE</b> <b>AND GETTING THE AWARD AT THE</b> <b>GRADUATION, BUT THEY'LL BE</b> <b>REWARDED IN THAT THEY WILL HAVE</b> <b>SOMETHING THAT PRODUCES THE</b> <b>AMERICAN DREAM FOR THEIR FAMILY.</b> <b>>> JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT</b> <b>NECESSARILY GREAT AT ENGLISH</b> <b>LITERATURE OR ALGEBRA DOESN'T</b> <b>MEAN YOU CAN'T MAKE A GOOD</b> <b>LIVING.</b> <b>I KNOW PLUMBERS WHO DO QUITE</b> <b>WELL, AND OTHER TRADES-TYPE</b> <b>BUSINESSES.</b> <b>I'M GOING TO KIND OF TIE THIS</b> <b>TOGETHER AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON</b> <b>TO A DIFFERENT SUBJECT, BUT IT'S</b> <b>STILL ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.</b> <b>WHAT IS YOUR STANCE, WHAT ARE</b> <b>THE PLANS FOR LEGISLATION</b> <b>REGARDING BANNING BOOKS AND THE</b> <b>INCLUSION OF RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGY</b> <b>IN THE CURRICULUM AND GENERAL</b> <b>SCHOOL POLICIES?</b> <b>AND ANOTHER CONSTITUENT</b> <b>BASICALLY ASKING THE QUESTION,</b> <b>IF THE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES</b> <b>SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE,</b> <b>WHY ARE TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEING</b> <b>USED TO SEND STUDENTS TO</b> <b>RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS?</b> <b>SO I'LL WIND THOSE TWO TOGETHER</b> <b>AND LET YOU GUYS COMMENT.</b> <b>WHOEVER WANTS TO TAKE IT.</b> <b>>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE BANNED</b> <b>ANY BOOKS IN FLORIDA.</b> <b>THAT'S NEWS TO ME.</b> <b>I MEAN, I THINK IT'S BEEN A FUN</b> <b>HOT TOPIC TO TRY TO ADDRESS WITH</b> <b>A LOT OF FOLKS.</b> <b>FIRST AND FOREMOST, IF YOU DON'T</b> <b>THINK THEY WERE VALID INSTANCES,</b> <b>AND ARE VALID INSTANCES OF BOOKS</b> <b>BEING AVAILABLE IN LIBRARIES</b> <b>THAT ARE AGE-INAPPROPRIATE THAT</b> <b>CONTAIN IMAGES THAT YOU AS A</b> <b>PARENT DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO</b> <b>HAVE ACCESS TO WITHOUT YOUR</b> <b>INVOLVEMENT, YOU'RE KIDDING</b> <b>YOURSELF.</b> <b>THOSE BOOKS ABSOLUTELY WERE IN</b> <b>THOSE LIBRARIES.</b> <b>AND BRINGING THAT TO THE</b> <b>FOREFRONT, IT HAS ALLOWED FOR</b> <b>MAYBE SOME BAD FAITH</b> <b>PARTISANSHIP, GAMESMANSHIP.</b> <b>GOVERNOR DESANTIS BROUGHT UP</b> <b>LEGISLATION TO TRY AND ADDRESS</b> <b>THE BOOK CHALLENGE GAMESMANSHIP</b> <b>THAT HAS KIND OF RAILROADED THE</b> <b>PROCESS OF TRYING TO EMPOWER</b> <b>PARENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR</b> <b>CHILD'S EDUCATION AS MUCH AS</b> <b>POSSIBLE.</b> <b>AS FAR AS THE SEPARATION OF</b> <b>CHURCH AND STATE, I BELIEVE IF</b> <b>YOU'RE PAYING TAXES INTO THE</b> <b>SYSTEM AS A PARENT, YOUR CHOICE</b> <b>OF WHERE YOU'RE SENDING YOUR</b> <b>CHILD TO SCHOOL SHOULD NOT MAKE</b> <b>THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU</b> <b>ACCESSING A BASE STUDENT</b> <b>ALLOCATION, AN AMOUNT THAT WE AS</b> <b>A STATE SAY WE SHOULD COMMIT TO</b> <b>YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION VERSUS</b> <b>NOT.</b> <b>SO I DON'T SEE THAT AS A</b> <b>SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE</b> <b>ISSUE.</b> <b>IIT'S EMPOWERING PARENTS TO BE S</b> <b>INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S</b> <b>EDUCATION AS POSSIBLE.</b> <b>>> I'M HAPPY TO JUMP IN AS WELL.</b> <b>I PRIDE MYSELF ON BEING A BIG</b> <b>FIRST AMENDMENT GUY.</b> <b>THE MEDICAL FREEDOM BILL I</b> <b>TALKED ABOUT WAS A FIRST</b> <b>AMENDMENT BILL.</b> <b>I READ ANOTHER FIRST AMENDMENT</b> <b>BILL THIS LAST SESSION HAVING TO</b> <b>DO WITH ENTERTAINERS AND</b> <b>CONCERTS, ETC.</b> <b>I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN THE FIRST</b> <b>AMENDMENT.</b> <b>LIKE REPRESENTATIVE ANDRADE AND</b> <b>MY COLLEAGUES SAID EARLIER,</b> <b>YOU'RE KIDDING YOURSELF IF YOU</b> <b>THINK OBSCENITY IS COVERED BY</b> <b>THE FIRST AMENDMENT.</b> <b>OF COURSE TO ME, THE BIG LITMUS</b> <b>TEST IS IF A PARENT CANNOT READ</b> <b>THAT BOOK OUT LOUD AT A SCHOOL</b> <b>BOARD MEETING, IF THEY GET</b> <b>SHOUTED DOWN AND SAID, YOU CAN'T</b> <b>READ THAT DURING THE MEETING,</b> <b>WHY WOULD YOU ALLOW A</b> <b>SECOND-GRADER TO READ IT IN</b> <b>THEIR LIBRARY AT SCHOOL?</b> <b>THAT'S THE LITMUS TEST TO ME.</b> <b>>> Weeks: LET'S MOVE ON AND</b> <b>TALK ABOUT UTILITIES AND CLIMATE</b> <b>CHANGE AND THINGS OF THAT</b> <b>NATURE.</b> <b>A COUPLE OF CONSTITUENTS SENDING</b> <b>IN SOME QUESTIONS.</b> <b>AND ONE OF THEM, WHAT ARE YOU</b> <b>DOING ABOUT THE VULNERABILITY OF</b> <b>OUR POWER GRIDS?</b> <b>THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN</b> <b>TALKED ABOUT NATIONWIDE FOR MANY</b> <b>YEARS.</b> <b>YOUR THOUGHTS.</b> <b>IF ANYONE WANTS TO ADDRESS THAT,</b> <b>OR IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COME</b> <b>BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.</b> <b>>> I THINK THAT'S A PUBLIC</b> <b>SERVICE COMMISSION ISSUE MORE</b> <b>THAN THE LEGISLATURE.</b> <b>WE DON'T REGULATE THE UTILITIES.</b> <b>>> WELL, WE DO HAVE SOME LIMITED</b> <b>AMOUNT.</b> <b>TWO YEARS AGO, MAYBE THREE YEARS</b> <b>AGO, THREE SESSIONS AGO I GOT A</b> <b>LOT OF FUN FLAK FOR BEING THE</b> <b>ONLY PERSON TO COSPONSOR A BILL</b> <b>SAYING IF YOU HAVE SOLAR PANELS</b> <b>ON YOUR ROOF, YOU SHOULD BE PAID</b> <b>FOR THE WHOLESALE VALUE OF THE</b> <b>KILOWATT THAT THE POWER COMPANY</b> <b>IS FORCED BY LAW TO BUY BACK</b> <b>FROM YOU.</b> <b>WHAT THAT MEANT WAS IF YOU HAVE</b> <b>SOLAR PANELS ON YOUR ROOF, YOU</b> <b>GET PAID FOR THE VALUE TO HAVE E</b> <b>KILOWATT AND YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE</b> <b>TO PAY FOR THE GRID THE SAME WAY</b> <b>YOUR NEIGHBORS HAVE TO, IN THE</b> <b>RETAIL RATE THEY HAVE TO USE AS</b> <b>A HOMEOWNER THAT DOESN'T HAVE</b> <b>SOLAR PANELS ON THEIR ROOF.</b> <b>THE LIMITED AMOUNT THAT WE DO</b> <b>HAVE OF A SAY IN THAT COMES FROM</b> <b>THE COST RECOVERY AFTER A</b> <b>HURRICANE TO REBUILD THE GRID.</b> <b>AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHO'S</b> <b>RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THAT</b> <b>GRID.</b> <b>THESE ARE COMPANIES THAT HAVE A</b> <b>MASSIVE MONOPOLY AND CONTROL IN</b> <b>THE MARKET.</b> <b>THEY ARE 1000% RESPONSIBLE FOR</b> <b>MAINTAINING AND UPGRADING AND</b> <b>INVESTING IN THAT GRID.</b> <b>MY FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION,</b> <b>2019, WE PASSED A LAW SAYING</b> <b>THEY HAVE TO UNDERGROUND AND</b> <b>STORM HARDEN THEIR GRID SYSTEM.</b> <b>THAT RESULTED IN SOME HIGHER</b> <b>COST, BUT TO HARDEN IS</b> <b>EXPENSIVE.</b> <b>AND IT DOES COME WITH A COST.</b> <b>BUT THESE -- EVERY COMPANY FROM</b> <b>DUKE TO SOUTHERN TO TCO IN TAMPA</b> <b>ALL HAD TO SUBMIT THEIR PLANS TO</b> <b>THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ON</b> <b>HOW THEY WERE GOING TO HARDEN</b> <b>THEIR FACILITIES TO HOPEFULLY</b> <b>YIELD LONG-TERM SAVINGS WHEN</b> <b>STORMS DO COME IN THE FUTURE.</b> <b>>> Weeks: OKAY.</b> <b>A QUESTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.</b> <b>FLORIDA IS THE STATE MOST</b> <b>THREATENED BY IMPACTS OF CLIMATE</b> <b>CHANGE, STRONGER STORMS, RISING</b> <b>SEAS, EXTREME HEAT.</b> <b>WHY HAVE THE THE MAJORITY OF THE</b> <b>FLORIDA LEGISLATURE REFUSED TO</b> <b>ADDRESS THE CAUSE AND HELP</b> <b>FLORIDIANS TRANSITION TO SOLAR</b> <b>ENERGY?</b> <b>A CONSTITUENT IN PENSACOLA.</b> <b>>> CALIFORNIA HAS WILDFIRES.</b> <b>THEY'RE AFFECTING BY CHANGING</b> <b>CLIMATE.</b> <b>THEIR INSURANCE RATES ARE GOING</b> <b>UP.</b> <b>I DON'T SEE DEMOCRATS BLAMING</b> <b>GAVIN NEWSOME FOR THE WEATHER.</b> <b>>> Salzman: IN MY DISTRICT,</b> <b>THE POWER COMPANY WENT FROM</b> <b>COAL-BURNING, WHICH IS HOW THEY</b> <b>USED TO DO IT.</b> <b>AND WE ARE DOING THINGS TO</b> <b>ADDRESS THAT.</b> <b>LOCALLY, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL</b> <b>PROTECTION AGENCIES, STATE AND</b> <b>FEDERAL LEVEL, HAVE BEEN VERY</b> <b>ENGAGED.</b> <b>I HAVE SEVERAL FACTORIES IN MY</b> <b>DISTRICT.</b> <b>SO, I HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP</b> <b>WITH THEM.</b> <b>WE TALK REGULARLY, ESPECIALLY</b> <b>ABOUT THE ESTUARIES AND WATER</b> <b>QUALITY.</b> <b>I WOULD LOVE FOR SENATOR BROXSON</b> <b>TO TALK ABOUT THE DOLLARS WE'RE</b> <b>ALLOCATING TOWARDS OUR</b> <b>ENVIRONMENT.</b> <b>WE'VE DONE A RECORD NUMBER.</b> <b>WE DON'T IGNORE THAT.</b> <b>THIS REPUBLICAN MAJORITY HAS</b> <b>DONE MORE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT</b> <b>AND FOR LOOKING FORWARD FOR</b> <b>FLORIDIANS THAN ANYBODY'S DONE</b> <b>IN A LONG TIME.</b> <b>>> WELL, THE CHALLENGE -- THAT'S</b> <b>SO FULL OF QUESTIONS ON TOP OF</b> <b>QUESTIONS.</b> <b>HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A ROBUST</b> <b>FACADE AND COME BACK ON ENERGY?</b> <b>BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVES ARE SO</b> <b>EXPENSIVE AND SO HARD TO</b> <b>PRODUCE.</b> <b>AND HOW DO YOU BE COMPETITIVE IN</b> <b>THE WORLD ECONOMY?</b> <b>CHINA AND INDIA, AND THESE OTHER</b> <b>COUNTRIES ARE NOT DOING NEAR</b> <b>WHAT WE'RE DOING TO TRY TO DEAL</b> <b>WITH GLOBAL WARMING.</b> <b>AND WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?</b> <b>WHAT'S THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF IT?</b> <b>WE'RE BURNING A LOT OF FOSSIL</b> <b>FUEL.</b> <b>WHEN YOU BURN IN 200 YEARS</b> <b>WHAT'S ACCUMULATING IN BILLIONS</b> <b>OF YEARS, IT COULD HAVE AN</b> <b>IMPACT.</b> <b>HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT?</b> <b>THE DEBATE IS IT COULD BE 2-10%.</b> <b>SOME SAY IT'S 50%.</b> <b>UNTIL WE CAN RESOLVE THOSE BIG</b> <b>QUESTIONS, I DON'T THINK YOU'LL</b> <b>SEE THE LEGISLATURE CUT BACK ON</b> <b>PEOPLE EATING, DRIVING, GOING TO</b> <b>WORK, AND RAISING THEIR KIDS</b> <b>UNTIL WE HAVE A CLEAR PATH OF</b> <b>HOW WE DO THAT.</b> <b>>> WE'VE INVESTED MONEY IN</b> <b>CAPTURING FROM LANDFILLS,</b> <b>WASTEWATER, THE NATURAL GAS THAT</b> <b>COMES OFF OF PLANTS.</b> <b>WE'VE INVESTED IN THINGS LIKE</b> <b>LOOKING AT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE</b> <b>THAT CAN SUPPORT HYDROGEN IN THE</b> <b>FUTURE, FP&L, PART OF THEIR</b> <b>SHIFT TO NATURAL GAS IS BECAUSE</b> <b>THOSE PLANTS CAN BE CONVERTED</b> <b>WHEN THE TECHNOLOGY CATCHES UP</b> <b>TO HYDROGEN-POWERED PLANTS.</b> <b>I DON'T THINK SOLAR IS</b> <b>NECESSARILY THE SOLUTION WITHOUT</b> <b>BATTERIES.</b> <b>AND IF YOU TELL ME THAT</b> <b>BATTERIES ARE GOOD FOR THE</b> <b>ENVIRONMENT, I'VE GOT A BRIDGE</b> <b>SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SELL YOU.</b> <b>>> YEAH.</b> <b>>> BUT WE ARE DOING THINGS TO BE</b> <b>FORWARD-LOOKING, IT'S JUST</b> <b>WHAT'S THE ROLE OF THE</b> <b>GOVERNMENT.</b> <b>>> JEFF, WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME</b> <b>IS WHY WE NEVER TALK ABOUT</b> <b>NUCLEAR.</b> <b>CHINA IS BUILDING 36 NUCLEAR</b> <b>PLANTS.</b> <b>THEY'LL HAVE THEM ONLINE IN FOUR</b> <b>YEARS.</b> <b>IT TAKES US 25 YEARS TO GET THE</b> <b>APPLICATION APPROVED.</b> <b>FRANCE IS DOING VERY SIMILAR</b> <b>PROPORTIONATE TO THEIR</b> <b>POPULATION.</b> <b>BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A</b> <b>SOLUTION FOR GLOBAL WARMING,</b> <b>NONE OF THESE PEOPLE EVER</b> <b>MENTION THE CHEAPEST ENERGY FORM</b> <b>THAT'S OUT THERE AND WE HAVE</b> <b>PLENTY OF IT.</b> <b>THAT'S NUCLEAR.</b> <b>WE'VE GOT TO REVISIT THAT ISSUE.</b> <b>IT CAN SOLVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT</b> <b>OF ENERGY PROBLEMS.</b> <b>IF NOT, WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING</b> <b>THE PIPER FOR WHEN CHINA AND</b> <b>THESE OTHER COMPANIES BEGIN TO</b> <b>EXPORT ELECTRICITY.</b> <b>>> YOU'RE LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO</b> <b>SEE TALK ABOUT THAT.</b> <b>I BELIEVE NATIONWIDE YOU'RE</b> <b>STARTING TO SEE MORE AND MORE</b> <b>PEOPLE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF</b> <b>MOVING TOWARDS MORE CLEAN</b> <b>ENERGY, START TO PUT NUCLEAR</b> <b>INTO THE RECIPE AS FAR AS HAVING</b> <b>A DISCUSSION.</b> <b>TO YOUR POINT, THE LIKELIHOOD IS</b> <b>THAT PROBABLY WILL BE DISCUSSED</b> <b>A LITTLE BIT MORE.</b> <b>A QUESTION SPECIFICALLY FROM A</b> <b>CONSTITUENT TO YOU, SENATOR</b> <b>BROXSON.</b> <b>THE TOWN OF CENTURY IS</b> <b>CONTINUALLY IN FINANCIAL AND</b> <b>POLITICAL TURMOIL, TO THE POINT</b> <b>THEY HAVE BEEN CHIDED.</b> <b>AT WHAT POINT SHOULD A COMMUNITY</b> <b>BE RESTRICTED FROM RECEIVING</b> <b>GRANTS OR HAVE THE GOVERNMENT</b> <b>DISSOLVED, ALLOWING A COUNTY</b> <b>GOVERNMENT TO TAKE CONTROL?</b> <b>>> WELL, CENTURY IS -- IT'S HARD</b> <b>TO RUN A CITY ON $500,000 OF AD</b> <b>VALOREM A YEAR.</b> <b>THEY DON'T HAVE THE TAX BASE TO</b> <b>SUPPORT A ROBUST CITY.</b> <b>AS FAR AS WHAT THE STATE WILL</b> <b>DO, I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE THE</b> <b>STATE WOULD NOT ABANDON THOSE</b> <b>FOLKS.</b> <b>THEY DIDN'T CREATE THE PROBLEM.</b> <b>THE ECONOMY CREATED THE PROBLEM.</b> <b>AND WOULD I LIKE TO SEE THEM</b> <b>TURN THE CITY OVER TO THE</b> <b>COUNTY?</b> <b>ABSOLUTELY.</b> <b>WILL THEY DO THAT?</b> <b>THAT'S NOT MY DECISION.</b> <b>BUT THEIR PROBLEMS ARE GROWING</b> <b>EVERY DAY.</b> <b>WE SAW RECENTLY ABOUT THE</b> <b>POTABLE WATER.</b> <b>AND I KNOW THAT THE CENTURY</b> <b>PRISON IS LOOKING AT CREATING</b> <b>THEIR OWN WATER SYSTEM.</b> <b>THAT WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR THE</b> <b>CITY OF CENTURY.</b> <b>SO, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH A</b> <b>CITY ADMITTING IT'S NOT WORKING</b> <b>AND WE NEED HELP.</b> <b>AND EVALUAT EVIDENTLY THAT IS NA</b> <b>CONVERSATION THEY WANT TO HAVE.</b> <b>>> Salzman: A COUPLE THINGS</b> <b>WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE HAD THE</b> <b>INSPECTOR GENERAL TAKE A LOOK AT</b> <b>SOME OF THE GRANTS THAT THEY'VE</b> <b>BEEN GIVEN IN THE PAST FEW</b> <b>YEARS.</b> <b>ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS</b> <b>PASSIONATE ABOUT WAS HELPING</b> <b>THOSE THAT WERE NOT HELPED.</b> <b>MYTRICT IS THE NORTH END.</b> <b>IT'S NOT THE SEXY PART OF TOWN.</b> <b>IT'S A RURAL COMMUNITY.</b> <b>I WANTED TO BRING SOME LIGHT TO</b> <b>PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT</b> <b>WEREN'T LOOKED AT FOR A LONG</b> <b>TIME AND I PARTNERED WITH THE</b> <b>SENATOR AND SAID I WANT TO HELP</b> <b>CENTURY.</b> <b>AND SO WE DID THAT.</b> <b>WE GOT THEM A RURAL DESIGNATION.</b> <b>WE'VE DONE SOMETHING THEY'VE</b> <b>NEVER HAD BEFORE.</b> <b>WE'VE OPENED A LOT OF DOORS FOR</b> <b>THEM.</b> <b>WE'VE GIVEN THEM A LOT OF MONEY,</b> <b>MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF</b> <b>DOLLARS.</b> <b>WE DIDN'T JUST HAND IT OVER.</b> <b>THAT'S A MISNOMER.</b> <b>A LOT OF THE MONEY IS RAN</b> <b>THROUGH THE COUNTY.</b> <b>SO STEVEN BERRY SIGNS OFF ON A</b> <b>MAJORITY OF THE MONEY THAT IS</b> <b>GOING TO CENTURY.</b> <b>SO, WHILE THEY'RE HAVING A HARD</b> <b>TIME, A LOT OF THE MONEY THAT</b> <b>THEY HAVE IN HAND IS GOING</b> <b>THROUGH THE COUNTY, OR THE</b> <b>AGENCIES THAT ARE PROVIDING</b> <b>THOSE DOLLARS HAVE ALREADY --</b> <b>THEY'RE ALREADY UNDER THE</b> <b>IMPRESSION THEY NEED TO OVERSEE</b> <b>IT.</b> <b>>> Weeks: I WANT TO ADDRESS</b> <b>WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE RUDMAN,</b> <b>TELL ME AND OUR VIEWERS ABOUT</b> <b>THE CASSIE CARLY LAW.</b> <b>>> Rudman: THANK YOU, JEFF,</b> <b>FOR BRINGING THAT UP.</b> <b>IF YOU ASK ME, THAT'S BEEN MY</b> <b>GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN MY</b> <b>SHORT TIME IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE.</b> <b>AS YOUR VIEWERS PROBABLY KNOW,</b> <b>MY COMMUNITY OF NEVAR BEACH LOST</b> <b>ONE OF OUR OWN A COUPLE YEARS</b> <b>AGO, WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR</b> <b>OFFICE.</b> <b>I REMEMBER THE DAY.</b> <b>I WAS OUT KNOCKING ON DOORS IN</b> <b>CRESTVIEW WHEN I GOT WORD THAT A</b> <b>YOUNG LADY HAD GONE MISSING IN</b> <b>WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A CUSTODY</b> <b>EXCHANGE GONE BAD.</b> <b>YOU KNOW HER BODY WAS FOUND IN A</b> <b>SHALLOW GRAVE IN ALABAMA.</b> <b>THERE'S A TRIAL PENDING ON THAT.</b> <b>BUT I GOT TO MEET SOME OF</b> <b>CASSIE'S FRIENDS.</b> <b>THEY INFORMED ME ABOUT THE</b> <b>SITUATION.</b> <b>WE TALKED ABOUT CASSIE'S UNIQUE</b> <b>SITUATION AND HOW PERHAPS THAT</b> <b>COULD HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY.</b> <b>CASSIE'S FRIENDS HAD A LIST OF</b> <b>ITEMS THEY FELT COULD HAVE BEEN</b> <b>HELPFUL IF THEY WERE WRITTEN IN</b> <b>FLORIDA STATUTE.</b> <b>WE MET AT THE DONUT HOLE IN</b> <b>INLET BEACH, FLORIDA.</b> <b>I SAT DOWN WITH CASSIE'S -- MORE</b> <b>OR LESS HER GODMOTHER IS WHAT</b> <b>SHE USED TO CALL HER.</b> <b>ON A PAPER NAPKIN WITH JUST A</b> <b>PEN AND A PENCIL, WE WROTE DOWN</b> <b>SOME OF THE HALLMARKS OF WHAT</b> <b>BECAME THE CASSIE CARLY LAW.</b> <b>AND I APPRECIATE YOU MENTIONING</b> <b>THAT, BECAUSE THAT LAW WAS</b> <b>ACTUALLY SIGNED INTO BEING ONE</b> <b>WEEK AGO.</b> <b>AND SO NOW, ACROSS THE STATE OF</b> <b>FLORIDA, EVERY COUNTY MUST</b> <b>DESIGNATE AT LEAST ONE SAFE</b> <b>CUSTODY EXCHANGE LOCATION FOR</b> <b>THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE, YOU</b> <b>KNOW, CONTENTIOUS CUSTODY</b> <b>DISPUTES, THAT SORT OF THING.</b> <b>OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE'S ALREADY</b> <b>VIOLENCE INVOLVED, OBVIOUSLY</b> <b>THAT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT</b> <b>ISSUE.</b> <b>BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE</b> <b>WHERE SOMETIMES TEMPERS GET THE</b> <b>BEST OF THEM.</b> <b>SOMETIMES YOU CAN SEE THE</b> <b>EMOTION RUNNING HOT EVEN DURING</b> <b>THE COURT PROCEEDINGS.</b> <b>SO THIS GIVES JUDGES AN</b> <b>ALTERNATIVE.</b> <b>YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXCHANGE</b> <b>CHILDREN AT THE GAS STATION OR</b> <b>AT THE WALMART IN DESTIN, WHERE</b> <b>CASSIE WAS SUPPOSED TO EXCHANGE.</b> <b>SHE WAS TRICKED INTO EXCHANGING</b> <b>HER CHILD ON A DARK, SECLUDED</b> <b>BEACH IN A PARKING LOT THAT WAS</b> <b>NOT VERY WELL-LIT.</b> <b>SO, HOPEFULLY THIS LEGISLATION</b> <b>WILL PREVENT FUTURE CASSIE</b> <b>CARLYS.</b> <b>AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR</b> <b>BRINGING THAT TO THE VIEWERS'</b> <b>ATTENTION.</b> <b>>> Weeks: ANOTHER TRAGIC</b> <b>INCIDENT THAT HAS OCCURRED IS</b> <b>WHAT HAPPENED WITH A LOCAL</b> <b>DOCTOR WHO WAS PERFORMING</b> <b>SURGERY ON HIS SPOUSE AND THINGS</b> <b>WENT TERRIBLY WRONG.</b> <b>DO YOU WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT</b> <b>GOING TO GET INTO ALL THE</b> <b>DETAILS.</b> <b>pensacolanewsjournal.com,</b> <b>MOLLY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB</b> <b>ADDRESSING SOME OF THE ISSUES.</b> <b>BUT I THINK THE TWO OF YOU HAVE</b> <b>BROUGHT UP THE IDEA MAYBE THERE</b> <b>SHOULD BE SOME RESTRICTIONS ON,</b> <b>YOU KNOW, WHAT A SURGEON CAN</b> <b>OPERATE ON, AS FAR AS FAMILY</b> <b>MEMBERS.</b> <b>>> Salzman: THERE'S A LOT OF</b> <b>THINGS THAT HAVE ROOM FOR</b> <b>IMPROVEMENT IN THAT PARTICULAR</b> <b>SITUATION AS BROUGHT TO LIGHT.</b> <b>ONE THING I FIND MOST</b> <b>INTERESTING IS THE FACT HAD HE</b> <b>CO -- THATHE COULD OPERATE ON AY</b> <b>MEMBER, HE COULD SELF-INSURE,</b> <b>AND HE HAD VICTIMS.</b> <b>THEY WERE PATIENTS, BUT I THINK</b> <b>THEY WERE VICTIMS, SIGN</b> <b>ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS IN THE</b> <b>MIDDLE OF SIGNING THE HIPAA</b> <b>AGREEMENTS, SOMETHING THAT THE</b> <b>SUPREME COURT HAD RULED TO BE</b> <b>ILLEGAL IN FLORIDA AND THE</b> <b>FLORIDA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION</b> <b>DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THERE WAS</b> <b>A WORKAROUND TO THIS OPERATION</b> <b>THAT THE DOCTOR WAS DOING.</b> <b>SO, MAKING ARBITRATION</b> <b>AGREEMENTS ILLEGAL ALTOGETHER</b> <b>JUST BY LAW, BY STATUTE, NOT BY</b> <b>SUPREME COURT RULING IS</b> <b>IMPORTANT.</b> <b>SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO</b> <b>SELF-INSURE IF YOU'RE DOING</b> <b>SURGERIES IN YOUR OFFICE?</b> <b>THAT'S SOMETHING I'M WORKING</b> <b>WITH THE FMA ON TRYING TO CREATE</b> <b>A BALANCE THERE.</b> <b>AND THEN, OF COURSE, OPERATING</b> <b>ON A FAMILY MEMBER.</b> <b>THERE'S SO MANY PIECES OF THAT</b> <b>THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT.</b> <b>I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE</b> <b>PARTNERSHIPS OF ALL OF THE</b> <b>AGENCIES AND FOLKS THAT HAVE</b> <b>BEEN WORKING WITH ME SINCE IT</b> <b>HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER.</b> <b>BUT WE'VE BEEN PASSING LAWS IN</b> <b>FLORIDA TAKING LITTLE CHIPS AT</b> <b>THE BLOCK AWAY FROM THESE</b> <b>ISSUES.</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVE CABRERA HAD A</b> <b>BILL THAT MADE IT -- PROVIDED</b> <b>MORE FINES FOR PEOPLE DOING</b> <b>IN-OFFICE BUTT IMPLANT</b> <b>SURGERIES.</b> <b>THE MOST BIZARRE THINGS THAT ARE</b> <b>HAPPENING, BUT THEY'RE DOING IT</b> <b>BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET</b> <b>AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE IT'S A TINY</b> <b>FINE.</b> <b>SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A</b> <b>BALANCE THERE.</b> <b>HOW DO YOU CREATE SOMETHING THAT</b> <b>PROVIDES ENOUGH CONSEQUENCES TO</b> <b>STOP THIS BAD BEHAVIOR WITHOUT</b> <b>INTERRUPTING THE MARKET AND</b> <b>CREATING AN ISSUE FOR THE</b> <b>PHYSICIANS THAT ARE TRYING TO</b> <b>PROVIDE SERVICES.</b> <b>>> Weeks: REPRESENTATIVE</b> <b>ANDRADE?</b> <b>>> Andrade: MY ONLY</b> <b>INVOLVEMENT HAS BEEN THE</b> <b>VICTIM'S FATHER GAVE ME A CALL.</b> <b>HE WAS FRUSTRATED WITH SOME</b> <b>THINGS GOING ON AT THE STATE TWO</b> <b>MONTHS AGO.</b> <b>WE TALKED FOR A WHILE.</b> <b>WE BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT THE</b> <b>AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION WAS</b> <b>ALREADY RECOMMENDING THAT THERE</b> <b>BE REGULATIONS IN THE STATE OF</b> <b>FLORIDA ABOUT THE OPERATION ON</b> <b>FAMILY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY IN</b> <b>THESE CONTEXTS.</b> <b>THAT WAS SOMETHING AS A LAY</b> <b>PERSON I THOUGHT WAS ALREADY ON</b> <b>THE BOOKS.</b> <b>SO, THAT WAS THE EASIEST</b> <b>COMMITMENT I COULD HAVE MADE.</b> <b>YOU KNOW, THE LAST TIME WE DID</b> <b>THIS I DID NOT HAVE A DAUGHTER.</b> <b>THE TWO THINGS THAT ARE VERY</b> <b>DIFFERENT FROM THE LAST TIME WE</b> <b>DID THIS IS WE NOW OWN A NEW</b> <b>BRIDGE, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO</b> <b>SENATOR BROXSON.</b> <b>AND IN MY LIFE I HAVE A</b> <b>17-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER.

I CANNOT</b> <b>IMAGINE M MR. ELLINGTON'S</b> <b>EXPERIENCE AND HER FAMILY'S</b> <b>EXPERIENCE THE PAST TEN MONTHS.</b> <b>SO THAT WAS THE EASIEST</b> <b>COMMITMENT I COULD HAVE MADE, TO</b> <b>GET WORKING ON A BILL TO TRY AND</b> <b>MAKE SOMETHING MEMORABLE AND</b> <b>SOMETHING POSITIVE OUT OF THIS</b> <b>HORRIFIC CIRCUMSTANCE.</b> <b>>> Weeks: SINCE YOU'RE A</b> <b>PHYSICIAN, DO YOU WANT TO</b> <b>COMMENT?</b> <b>>> I DO APPRECIATE THAT, BECAUSE</b> <b>I DO THINK YOUR VIEWERS NEED TO</b> <b>UNDERSTAND.</b> <b>SO, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BAD</b> <b>DOCTOR HERE.</b> <b>AND I CAN SAY THAT BECAUSE AS A</b> <b>PHYSICIAN WHO'S PRACTICED IN</b> <b>FLORIDA SINCE 1997, I'VE GOT A</b> <b>SPOTLESS MEDICAL LICENSE THAT</b> <b>I'VE HELD FOR 27, 28 YEARS.</b> <b>WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A PHYSICIAN</b> <b>THAT OPERATES ON A FAMILY MEMBER</b> <b>IN THE KIND OF SITUATION THAT MY</b> <b>COLLEAGUES ARE DISCUSSING, THIS</b> <b>IS UNETHICAL.</b> <b>THIS IS IMMORAL.</b> <b>THIS GOES AGAINST THE</b> <b>HIPPOCRATIC OATH.</b> <b>SOMETIMES WE DO HAVE TO, KIND</b> <b>OF, TEMPER THINGS.</b> <b>BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE A COLLEAGUE</b> <b>IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE.</b> <b>HER FAVORITE SAYING IS SOMETIMES</b> <b>BAD NEWS LEADS TO BAD LAWS.</b> <b>WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE'RE</b> <b>NOT HURTING THE GOOD DOCTORS IN</b> <b>THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THE</b> <b>ACTIONS OF A COUPLE BAD APPLES.</b> <b>BUT I CAN MAKE YOU AND MY</b> <b>COLLEAGUES THIS PROMISE RIGHT</b> <b>HERE TONIGHT.</b> <b>WE ARE NOT GOING TO PROTECT BAD</b> <b>DOCTORS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.</b> <b>WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT.</b> <b>>> Weeks: REPRESENTATIVE</b> <b>MANEY?</b> <b>>> Maney: I WANTED TO CHANGE</b> <b>SUBJECT BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF</b> <b>TIME.</b> <b>I WANTED TO MENTION, FLORIDA HAS</b> <b>AND HAS HAD FOR YEARS A MENTAL</b> <b>HEALTH CRISIS.</b> <b>WE HAVE TWO LAWS BASICALLY</b> <b>DEALING WITH THAT.</b> <b>A 50-YEAR-OLD BAKER ACT LAW.</b> <b>A 33-YEAR-OLD SUBSTANCE ABUSE</b> <b>LAW.</b> <b>THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME</b> <b>WE'VE HAD A MAJOR REWRITE -- NOT</b> <b>YET SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR,</b> <b>SITTING IN THE GOVERNOR'S</b> <b>OFFICE.</b> <b>BUT WE'VE REALLY MADE A MAJOR</b> <b>IMPROVEMENT, SUBJECT TO THE</b> <b>GOVERNOR, ON OUR PROCESSES.</b> <b>THE LEGISLATURE MADE A</b> <b>$50 MILLION COMMITMENT TO</b> <b>SUPPORT THAT STARTING IN THE</b> <b>JULY IN THE GOVERNOR DEGREES.</b> <b>AGREES.</b> <b>SO, LOTS OF FAMILIES DEAL WITH</b> <b>FAMILIES OR FRIENDS WHO HAVE</b> <b>MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.</b> <b>IT'S BEEN AGGRAVATED WITH COVID.</b> <b>THE JAILS AND PRISONS ARE THE</b> <b>LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS</b> <b>IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.</b> <b>AND THIS PAST LEGISLATURE REALLY</b> <b>TOOK A BIG BITE AT THAT APPLE.</b> <b>I THINK IT'S A MAJOR ISSUE.</b> <b>I WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO ASK</b> <b>THAT QUESTION.</b> <b>>> Salzman: ME, TOO.</b> <b>>> Maney: WANTED TO BRING IT</b> <b>UP BEFORE WE RAN OUT OF TIME.</b> <b>>> Weeks: I'M GLAD YOU DID.</b> <b>WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.</b> <b>BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PROGRAM OUT,</b> <b>I WANT TO SAY TO SENATOR</b> <b>BROXSON, IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE</b> <b>TO WORK WITH YOU FOR -- YOU AND</b> <b>I HAVE DONE THIS FOR MAYBE 14</b> <b>YEARS, SOMEWHERE IN THAT</b> <b>BALLPARK.</b> <b>I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DEAL IS.</b> <b>NEITHER ONE OF US HAVE AGED, IT</b> <b>DOESN'T APPEAR.</b> <b>CERTAINLY NOT YOU.</b> <b>YOU LOOK GREAT.</b> <b>CONGRATULATIONS ON A WONDERFUL</b> <b>CAREER.</b> <b>YOU'LL FINISH OUT.</b> <b>YOU'VE DONE A LOT FOR THIS AREA.</b> <b>I'VE GOT ONE MINUTE LEFT.</b> <b>WHAT'S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF</b> <b>YOUR POLITICAL CAREER?</b> <b>>> Broxson: YOU KNOW, IT'S</b> <b>WORKING WITH THIS DELEGATION AND</b> <b>ALL THE DELEGATIONS.</b> <b>WE HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT IN THE</b> <b>PANHANDLE.</b> <b>WE HAVE SEVEN PEOPLE THAT ARE</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVES AND THREE</b> <b>SENATORS.</b> <b>WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE IN</b> <b>DISPUTE WITH EACH OTHER.</b> <b>WE HAVE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE</b> <b>PEOPLE THAT HAVE A DIFFERENT</b> <b>LIFESTYLE THAN WE DO.</b> <b>MAYBE THEIR SENSE OF COMMON</b> <b>SENSE IS DIFFERENT THAN OURS.</b> <b>AND ALEX, THANK YOU FOR THE KIND</b> <b>WORDS.</b> <b>BUT REALLY, WHAT MAKES US GO IS</b> <b>THE FACT THAT WE REPRESENT SUCH</b> <b>GREAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE GREAT</b> <b>COMMON SENSE AND BELIEVE IN</b> <b>AMERICA.</b> <b>AND I THINK WE'VE SENT THAT</b> <b>MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR THAT WE</b> <b>LIKE THINGS.</b> <b>WE LIKE TRADITIONAL THINGS.</b> <b>WE LIKE FAMILY.</b> <b>AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS</b> <b>SUPPORT PEOPLE THAT LOVE THEIR</b> <b>FAMILIES AND WANT TO SEE THEM</b> <b>SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.</b> <b>>> Weeks: WE CERTAINLY</b> <b>APPRECIATE IT.</b> <b>I THINK YOU HAVE PROBABLY BEEN A</b> <b>PART OF EVERY ONE OF THESE OVER</b> <b>THE YEARS.</b> <b>YOU'VE ALWAYS SHOWN UP AND</b> <b>ANSWERED QUESTIONS.</b> <b>AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.</b> <b>I KNOW THE VIEWERS AND THE</b> <b>CONSTITUENTS OF NORTHWEST</b> <b>FLORIDA APPRECIATE IT.</b> <b>AND WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST.</b> <b>I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE PROBABLY OUT</b> <b>OF THE ELECTIVE OFFICE BUSINESS</b> <b>AT THIS STAGE, BUT I'M SURE</b> <b>YOU'RE GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN</b> <b>MANY OTHER THINGS IN NORTHWEST</b> <b>FLORIDA TO CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR</b> <b>COMMUNITY BETTER.</b> <b>>> Broxson: THANK YOU.</b> <b>YOU'RE A GREAT MODERATOR.</b> <b>YOU'RE THE BEST.</b> <b>>> Weeks: THANK YOU, SENATOR</b> <b>BROXSON.</b> <b>I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT.</b> <b>VERY KIND OF YOU.</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVE MANEY,</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVE RUDMAN, THANK YOU</b> <b>FOR JOINING US.</b> <b>FIRST TIME.</b> <b>HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVES ANDRADE AND</b> <b>SALZMAN, THANK YOU.</b> <b>WISHING YOU THE BEST.</b> <b>THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS AND</b> <b>CONSTITUENTS FOR PARTICIPATING.</b> <b>OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING HAVE</b> <b>BEEN MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL</b> <b>NORTHWEST FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE</b> <b>DELEGATION.</b> <b>SENATOR DOUG BROXSON AND</b> <b>REPRESENTATIVES SALZMAN, MANEY,</b> <b>RUDMAN.</b> <b>THANK YOU TO LISTENERS AND</b> <b>PARTICIPANTS.</b> <b>WE APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.</b> <b>THIS PROGRAM WILL BE AVAILABLE</b> <b>SOON AT WSRE.ORG AND ON THE PBS</b> <b>VIDEO APP AND YouTube AND</b> <b>OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.</b> <b>I'M JEFF WEEKS WISHING YOU ALL</b> <b>THE VERY BEST.</b> <b>THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.</b> <b>I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT SUMMER</b> <b>AND ENJOY ALL THE SUNSHINE THE</b> <b>STATE OF FLORIDA HAS TO OFFER.</b> <b>GOODNIGHT, EVERYONE.</b> <b>♪ </b>