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Local non-profits and citizens speak at the Bay County Legislation Delegation Meeting
PANAMA CITY - State Representative Griff Griffiths and State Senator Jay Trumbull held a legislation delegation meeting for the people of Bay County on October 2nd at the Bay County Government Center. Over 25 non-profits, elected officials and Bay County residents spoke about issues that they would like remembered during this legislative cycle.
The Bay County Transportation Planning Organization gave an update on creating an Independent Transit Authority.
https://www.ecrc.org/programs/transportation_planning/bay_county_tpo/index.php
The Bay County Chamber gave their priorities for Bay County to create more affordable workforce housing, develop more trade workers and child care services are need in the county.
The Marine Industries of Florida and Northwest Florida added over 110,000 jobs to Bay County. Boater Safety training is an issue. Training is only needed for the riskiest demographics. They do not support the policy for Rice's whale habitat to end night shipping and having a government representative on all ships that pass through the Gulf of Mexico.
https://blog.nwf.org/2022/11/meet-the-new-species-of-endangered-whale-discovered-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/
The Children's Home Society thanked the representative for their support of the community school partnership set up in Parker, Florida. They will pursue a partnership with Rutherford Middle and High School next.
Space Florida is expanding to Tyndall Air Force Base to create another Florida Space Port.
https://www.spaceflorida.gov/why-florida/
City of Lynn Haven - The Mayor asked for matching funds for several stormwater projects, wastewater treatment and lift-station and sewage problems and road paving projects.
Crime Stoppers has been in place in Bay County for 42 years. Please protect the Act that put it in place in 1998.
Florida Voices for Health is concerned that 25,000 Bay County residents do not have access to affordable health care and Medicaid needs to be expanded.
The Florida Freedom Coalition requested continued work to improve Senate Bill 252 (SB 252).
Election Integrity was brought up by a Bay County Citizen. He called for improvements recommended by Defend Florida.
PanCare spoke about the 200 jobs and 29,000 patients they serve in Bay County.
The Florida State Parks spoke about the huge return on investment. The Florida budget of $50 million generates $4 billion in revenue to the state with people who visit the state
parks.
The North Florida office of Public Guardians asked for support. They have 200 people on the wait list for public guardianship.
The Ark of the Bay serves 450 people and have been around for 65 years. They are requesting support for the 750 people on the wait list. One woman has been waiting for 20 years.
Moms for Liberty Bay County thanked the representatives for supporting Parental Rights in Education and in finding a new Superintendent of Schools. They are concerned about the new law allowing children to carry headache medications without adult supervision, low reading and math scores in the district, and asked for funding for reading programs and an increase in teacher pay.
Vets for political innovations asked for an improvement in state elections and the write-in loophole causes a concern.
The Panama City Symphony has sold out performances and brought in renowned artists to perform and to teach master classes.
The Central Panhandle Association of Realtors spoke about the need for affordable housing, the business rent tax reduction and Live Local Acts. They are concerned about property insurance rates and preserving private property rights.
The Early Learning Coalition continues to advocate for childcare. Florida is penalizing two parent households with their current policies.
The Bay Education Foundation spoke about their school programs and asked for and increase of $7 million.
The West Beach Preservation Group talked about the need to repurpose the $8 million west beach multi-path grant, The people do not want the project. This could be transferred to Panama City's MLK Rec Center project. Another citizen recommended it go to the marina development in Panama City.
Bay County Republican Women spoke about the use and possession of over-the-counter headache medicine policy and the concern that children in K-12 should not be responsible for managing medication on their own, even with parental permission.
The Florida Cultural Alliance talked about the 870 applicants for the $77 million in grants.
Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy enter spoke about the cut in their budget and they will be holding positions as long as possible. They requested gap funding for 7 full time positions.
The Convention of States representative asked to put together the working group and decide how to choose delegates for a Convention of States.
A Bay County resident asked for the repeal of Red Flag laws and is concerned about the electrical grid. Solar panels are taking precedence over natural gas which will lead to the disaster Texas had when they relied too heavily on windmills.
The Gulf Coast LGBTQ center is concerned about saving your kids that are committing suicide.
A Bay County resident is concerned about the health of Lullwater Lake.
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