CRA Newsletter June 2019

From Our Commissioner to District 4
Chip LaMarca
“2019 Legislative Session Wrap Up”
As the 2019 Legislative Session concluded
in Tallahassee, I am proud to say that
working together, we had many great
legislative successes this year and I
would like to share a few of them with
you.
The Florida House made a $686.8
million commitment, with Governor
DeSantis, to provide real environmental
funding for the Florida’s Everglades
restoration, water quality research,
septic to sewer conversions and beach
nourishment. This environmental funding
is critical to making Florida a more
sustainable state, while maintaining
our multi-billion dollar tourism industry
and unique ecosystems.
The Legislature also approved
another Back-to-School Sales Tax
Holiday from August 2-6, 2019, where
clothing priced at $60 or less, school
supplies at $15 or less, and computers
(MayorTrantalis…Continued from page7)
What do we do about important public
improvements such as parking for
North Beach Village at the old
Natchez lot or an upscale, expanded
marina off Las Olas Boulevard? These
projects likely would generate additional
traffic that would have to be accounted
for. So, if we reach the 1989 cap, we’d
face some serious questions.
And despite the new hotels built and
the civic improvements undertaken,
there remain spots along the beach that
are blighted, such as the Bahia Cabana
property. Again, we are about to be at
the point where the city would be
prohibited from approving more
redevelopment.
With this traffic limit looming, we
need to have a community conversation
much like the one that occurred in
1989. Where do we go from here? Are
we allocating the precious remaining
trips as best as possible? Is it possible
to pick and choose or must we accept
whatever comes first? And what happens
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and accessories priced $1,000 or less
per item, purchased for personal use
will be exempt from state and local
sales tax. The tax package also called
for another seven day Hurricane Sales
Tax Holiday where sales taxes will be
waived for many disaster preparedness
supplies including flashlights, portable
generators and batteries from May 31
through June 6, 2019.
With the support of Florida State
University President John Thrasher and
his staff, I was successful in unanimously
passing “Andrew’s Law”, named after
Andrew Coffey, a lifelong resident of
Lighthouse Point, who tragically
passed away from a hazing incident at
Florida State University. Andrew’s
Law adds an amnesty provision to the
hazing statute that would incentivize a
bystander to call for help and stay with
the person in need until first responders
arrive.
This Legislature was able to accomplish
what no legislature was able to since
when we reach the limit?
We need to think of ways to improve
traffic on the beach. Are there ways to
improve mass transit, perhaps with
shuttles from places like the Galleria
Mall? This is where we need to get
creative, because I agree with many
others that we certainly don’t want any
more cars on Fort Lauderdale beach.
It is a critical time for Fort Lauderdale,
both downtown and on the beach. The
decisions we make today will have a
lasting impact for decades to come.
I’m committed to finding ways for us
to grow smartly and maintain our
sense of community.
2004, pass a comprehensive firefighter
cancer benefits program. Nationwide,
70% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths
in 2016, was cancer-related. This bill
grants certain benefits to a firefighter
upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer.
This is a great victory for our brave
men and women who protect and serve
our communities every day, and I was
proud to cosponsor this legislation.
I am proud of the many successes
that the Florida House achieved this
session, and I look forward to seeing
what we can do to accomplish more by
working together. As always, it is a
tremendous honor to serve you as your
State Representative in Tallahassee.
Representative Chip LaMarca
Florida House District 93
June 2019