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Lawmakers Unscramble Legislative Issues

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By DAVE NICHOLSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

PLANT CITY - Offshore oil drilling, the budget squeeze and the declining economy were among the topics at an annual breakfast where local lawmakers shared with the community highlights of the recent legislative session.

State Sen. Ronda Storms and state Rep. Rich Glorioso gave a recap of their work in Tallahassee and then fielded questions at Thursday's Eggs 'n Issues meeting. The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the event for more than 20 years to give residents the chance to learn about legislative action from the lawmakers who represent the area.

Storms and Glorioso said a major challenge was reducing the state budget in the face of property tax reform and the economic downturn.

"The deal is that people all over are hurting," said Storms, who added that her family business was forced to lay off employees.

"We state lawmakers were faced with a huge budget that needed to be cut," she added.

Glorioso said he tried to keep "people first, things second" as he voted to slice the state budget.

Storms and Glorioso said they sought to reduce the budget by eliminating a requirement that public funds be used for art in government buildings. The measure was approved in the state House but failed in the Senate. Storms said she had nothing against art, but mockingly described a laid-off government employee walking out of a government building after losing his job and saying, "Praise the Lord, at least we have really great art."

Both of the Republican lawmakers said oil drilling should be considered off Florida's coast as a way to increase oil supplies and cut prices. Storms said she would be interested in the state looking into an arrangement where it would share in any profits from the oil exploration.

"The time is now for us to have this conversation," she said.

The country, she said, shouldn't be appealing to Saudi Arabia for more oil, as President Bush recently did.

Storms railed against government programs she said were too generous to some disabled residents and not fair to others, and of a state pension system that allows abuse.

City Commissioner Dan Raulerson, who was emcee for the hourlong meeting, praised Storms and Glorioso for their service.

"We're lucky to have you as leaders," he said.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432 or dnicholson@tampatrib.com.

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