By I.M. STACKEL
Naples Daily News
06/11/08

Collier County commissioners and the local representatives who serve in Tallahassee had nothing but kisses and flowers for each other Wednesday, even though some of the commission’s legislative desires weren’t fulfilled, and Collier still has to severely reduce its budget.

Some commissioners were eager for legislators to pass immigration reform, primarily to cut costs, but they didn’t raise that subject at Wednesday’s meeting.

No such bill passed, even though a dozen or so were introduced, said county lobbyist Keith Arnold.

“None of those bills in the House or Senate were given a hearing,” Arnold said. “As (U.S.) Congress fails to act on immigration reform, I suspect local governments will pick up the slack.”

Commissioners and legislators did however discuss who has the power at Wednesday’s meeting when they took up the issue of home rule.

Commissioner Donna Fiala said she didn’t understand why Tallahassee officials were trying to grab control from county commissioners, the people who understand the community.

Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, said that argument has gone on for a long time, in the same way that states have arguments with the federal government over issues, such as gas tax revenue.

Hudson noted that, ironically, most members of the Legislature have “no real experience with their city or county government.”

Arnold said he was going to save home rule for last, which he called the “most contentious” of all the issues addressed.

“But for Sen. Saunders, it would have passed. Without your strong support and leadership, it would have passed,” said Rep. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, who is chairman of the Collier delegation, and plans to run for Burt Saunders’ vacated position. Term limits will force Saunders out of office.

“The fact is, you don’t focus on what doesn’t get done. You focus on what does get done,” Richter said.

Another ongoing fight between the county and state is over a desire by Florida’s Department of Community Affairs to dictate Collier’s rural land stewardship act.

Mudd said it was established by a special act, but now the DCA has come up with a new boiler plate, and doesn’t like the fact that Collier County is exempt, Mudd said.

Mudd tried discussing the issue with officials in the Capital, but they “said our plan was incomprehensible (and) voodoo planning,” Mudd said.

“It’s been working very well in Collier County,” Commissioner Jim Coletta agreed.

“I find it disconcerting that DCA is trying to redirect your act,” Coletta said.

Commissioner Frank Halas was disappointed that legislation expanding rail transportation was defeated, referring to a plan to build rails for a bullet train to Orlando.

The so-called bullet trains that are used in Europe and Japan move at between 150 and 200 mph.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the end of the energy crunch,” Halas said, speaking of cost of fuel, and frequent delays in air travel.

Richter said the transportation bill, which included a variety of issues, attracted “lively contention.”

“What killed (bullet trains) was liability,” Richter said. “There’s a lot of support for rail transportation” but it involves partnerships.

“Liability was the cog in the wheel, but I do not think the issue is over,” Richter said.

Hudson, who represents parts of Collier as well as portions of Broward County, said some of his constituents ride the TriRail between Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

“TriRail has experienced a 45 percent increase in business,” Hudson said.

All parties involved decided to give growth management a cooling-off period, Arnold said.

One bill that did pass included extensions for developments of regional impact. Mudd pointed out the commission has already wrestled with that one with Ave Maria.

“I expect to have additional efforts to pre-empt local governments,” Arnold said.

Halas thanked everyone for their efforts, but implored them not to send down anymore unfunded mandates.

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