First hearing on Senate Bill 1348 Tuesday

The City of St Augustine Director of Public Affairs, Paul Williamson, is asking Historic City News readers to contact legislators by telephone or e-mail before the first committee hearing on the Senate Bill, currently scheduled for Tuesday, February 14th at 1:30 p.m.

During the January 23rd meeting of the St Augustine City Commission, members voted unanimously to oppose House Bill 1037 and its companion Senate Bill 1348 which, among other things, will allow eminent domain power for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.

Additionally, the Commission called on the community to voice its concerns as well.

The Senate bill will have its first hearing before the Education K-12 Committee.

Current Status of Legislation (02.10.12):
Senate Bill 1348 is scheduled to have its first committee hearing on Tuesday, February 14 at 1:30 p.m. (Rm. 301 Senate Office Building) when it is considered by the Education K-12 Committee. Senator Wise is the Senate sponsor of the bill and the Chairman of the committee, so it is important that he hear from concerned citizens immediately. He has indicated that he has substantial concerns regarding the legislation.

House Bill 1037 is ready to be heard on the House floor. Representative Bill Proctor is pushing hard to have it placed on the House Special Order Calendar and approved by the full House. Dr. Proctor’s considerable seniority carries weight in House and in efforts to move the bill through the process.

It is important that he hear from concerned citizens immediately regarding this important issue facing the community,” Williamson told Historic City News.

Photo credits: © 2012 Historic City News contributed photograph by Florida Senate

Concerned citizens should contact all members of the Education K-12 Committee, the committee that will consider the legislation on Tuesday, February 14.

Stephen R.Wise, 850.487.5027 wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov
JD Alexander, 850.487.5044 alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Thad Altman, 850.487.5053 altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov
Lizbeth Benacquisto, 850.487.5356 benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov
Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff, 850.487.5100 bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov
Larcenia J.Bullard, 850.487.5127 bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov
Bill Montford, 850.487.5004 montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov

The Senate bill was also referred to the Community Affairs Committee, thus citizens should contact that committee’s Chairman.
Senator Mike Bennett,, 850.487.5078, bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov

It is important to express concerns to Sen. John Thrasher both because of his key position as Chairman of the Rules Committee and because his district, District 8, includes St. Augustine.
John Thrasher, 850.487.5030, thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov

Lastly, it is also critical to contact Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart, one of St. Augustine’s two representatives (Proctor is the other) and whose district includes the campus of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and the most affected neighborhoods.
Ronald “Doc” Renuart, 850. 488.0001, ronald.renuart@myfloridahouse.gov