Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, and Commissioners Holly Merrill Raschein and Jim Scholl, recently joined Monroe County Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson in Tallahassee for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Day. The annual event on Jan. 21 strengthens relationships with state lawmakers and champions for local and state priorities that protect the Florida Keys’ environment, economy, and quality of life.
“Our presence here reflects our ongoing commitment to proactive engagement with our legislature,” said Mayor Michelle Lincoln, who is also this year’s FAC president. “From safeguarding our water quality to defending local home rule, these conversations drive results that matter to our community.”
During meetings with Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez and Representative Jim Mooney, commissioners discussed key issues for Monroe County’s residents, visitors, and businesses, including:
- Water Quality and Environmental Protection: Sustaining state funding for water quality infrastructure and restoration projects, including legislative support for the Florida Keys Stewardship Act.
- Land Acquisition and Conservation: Continued support for the Florida Forever Program and passage of House Bill 755/Senate Bill 934, which would extend the Florida Forever land acquisition set-aside for the Florida Keys, protect sensitive habitats and retire development rights to reduce takings liability; and support for a state appropriation for land acquisition outside of the Florida Forever boundaries to help address military base buffering and affordable housing.
- Affordable and Workforce Housing: Advancing state policy changes that account for the Florida Keys’ unique development constraints and high cost of living, including provisions in HB 755/SB 934 that will help lower the cost of affordable housing developed by Habitat for Humanity by exempting it from costly construction performance bond requirements.
- Insurance Affordability: Continued advocacy for HB 909/SB 1024 to improve the affordability and accessibility of Citizens wind coverage, by capping annual premium increases for residents and small businesses and raising the property value cap for eligibility.
- Local Authority and Home Rule: Protecting local home rule and Monroe County’s unique environmental and growth-management policies from state preemptions that limit local decision-making.
For more information on Monroe County’s state legislative priorities, visit monroecounty-fl.gov/legislativeaffairs.
