12/5/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DEC /Treasure Coast Council of Governments :Dear Commissioners:' -'-As we discussed last week at the TCCQG meeting there is a growing awareness ="of the need for a Treasure Coast lobbying effort in Tallahassee. I would -- `>,1 i ke to provide that professional lobbying presence. ,-;=While we can discuss further in more detail the need for lobbying, let me $briefly illustrate the magnitude of the lobbying competition in '.Tallahassee. According to the 1988/90 edition of "Lobbying In Florida" 42 of :the 67 counties have some lobbying activity in the Capitol. Additionally .46.citiesFare listed, while all 67 county school districts are represented withnmny aof the larger districts having separate lobbyists for teachers, superintendents, boards and parent organizations. In all there are nearly 40001obbyists listed in the current directory. A11 of these lobbyists are constantl y' `putting the names and causes of,,_ their cl Tents bef °WL l "egi sl ature.= If Treasure Coast issues and needs are not bei rng presente 'area:will not get a fair share of the state tax dollar. it' .4 01. S. r .�yJo, Alobbyist can do many things for the county and city governments of the :'• ` area; First, legislation favorable to the area can be drafted and :..supported; legislation perhaps to help with our growing problem of alien =.farm workers. Conversely, legislation determental to the region and local _..N governments can be successfully opposed as has been done on many bills -:during the last session.'Third and most important, a professional lobbyist ;`:can be a strong voice for local projects, such as the Palmer Expressway or Ahe'Palm City Bridge, agriculture or beach renourishment. A lobbyist, a -•assisting the area's elected delegation, can help bring the projects home. :Finally, a lobbyist can help cut the red tape within state departments such • -gas DOT, DNR, DER, etc. or represent the area's interest before the Cabinet. :Remember,._these departments and the Cabinet work and meet year round. ::Now, how can this representation best be achieved? I would propose two >,methods that would provide the Council of Governments with a year round -'_ presence in Tallahassee. "First, I would propose to be an independent contractor with the COG, ,,retained on a yearly basis. Under this arrangement I would of course provide for my own expenses and fringe -type benefits such as insurance, etc. Or, under a second arrangment, I would work for the COG, say as 'Executive Director, for a fixed salary with all expenses and fringes paid for by the COG. While there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods, the independent contractor method would free the COG of administrative and support details plus offer me as lobbyist the advantages of a legal expense account. I have drawn up a contract that details the relationship, explaining for instance, how lobbying issues can be determined and controlled, reporting procedures, etc. I have enclosed a suggested funding breakdown for each of the governments in the COG based on population figures contained in the " 1988 Statistical .Abstract." Any other information source could be used to provide the :figures or, the cost sharing could be based on something other than .-population. 58