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Representative Touts Progress

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

PLANT CITY - State Rep. Rich Glorioso gives the House of Representatives good marks for its efforts during the 2008 legislative session.

Legislation from the state House and Senate didn't always line up to turn bills into law, Glorioso said, but he insisted the lawmakers made progress during the two-month legislative session that recently concluded.

Glorioso, a Plant City Republican and former city commissioner, said lawmakers managed to spare education some painful cuts and included some Plant City projects in the proposed state budget. The state is struggling with budget cuts in the wake of tax reform.

"We had to set some tough priorities in cutting some $4 billion out of the budget," Glorioso said. "But in setting our priorities we worked hard to leave people-projects intact. Most of the cuts will have minimal negative impact on the public, like tree plantings and legislative salaries."

State representatives and senators reduced their annual pay by $1,500 each for the coming year. Their pay was lowered to about $30,000 plus some expenses, Glorioso said.

"It's like operating a budget in your home," Glorioso said. "Without raising taxes or fees, or spending what savings we have, our goal was to simply cut spending in order to meet the budget."

Glorioso, 64, did manage to get about $850,000 into the state budget to benefit eastern Hillsborough County.

The proposed budget, which the governor hasn't signed, includes $500,000 for improvements to the Eastside Canal, Glorioso said. The canal plays a big role in moving stormwater away from Plant City residential areas and into Blackwater Creek.

Another $250,000 was earmarked for reclaimed water lines along Sydney Road for use at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club. The city sells reclaimed water in several industrial, commercial and residential areas. Still, half of the approximately 6 million gallons produced each day is discharged into the Eastside Canal after treatment.

An additional $100,000 would be used for drainage off Trapnell Road, which will benefit county residents.

Mayor Rick Lott said Glorioso has been a good ally in the Legislature.

"Since Rich has been in Tallahassee he has stayed in good communication with the city staff," Lott said. "As a city commissioner and his work with the MPO Metropolitan Planning Organization he was well versed on the needs of eastern Hillsborough County."

Glorioso is in his second two-year term as state representative. In 2008 he was the chairman of the state infrastructure committee, responsible for safety, transportation and affordable housing.

In this session, Glorioso sponsored a bill that helps children in foster care statewide.

The bill, which passed, is designed to help teenagers in foster care who are turning 18, he said. The bill lets them obtain utilities services at a new residence.

Glorioso said a proposed law he supported on seatbelt safety didn't make it out of committee in the House.

"We had one representative who felt it was infringing on people's rights to choose," Glorioso said. "There was no equal bill in the Senate for 2008. So we have some work to do on the bill."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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