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OMA <br />Tri -County Legislative Program <br />Guiding Principles <br />In an effort to streamline and optimize the annual Legislative Program, the partnership of St. <br />Lucie, Martin and Indian River Counties, submit the following Guiding Principles that will <br />overlay our collective approach to the development and approval of legislative priorities both <br />now and in the months and years ahead. These principles are designed to reflect an approach to <br />legislative advocacy and engagement deeply rooted in the importance and autonomy of home <br />rule governance, in addition to an appreciation for the vital role played by our state partners, and <br />a desire to contribute to the public policy dialogue on behalf of our shared constituents in a <br />meaningful and consistent way. <br />The Three Counties support Home Rule, oppose Unfunded Mandates, and oppose efforts to <br />reduce local government revenue sources or limit flexibility in how they are spent. <br />This guiding principle includes the Counties' opposition to legislation that would create cost <br />shifts from traditionally state responsibilities, circumvent local oversight of development or tax <br />issues, limit local control of critical services, or impact our ability to provide a responsive and <br />reflective local government to our constituents. We also support legislation that creates <br />additional financial flexibility for local budgets, enhances local control of policies and <br />procedures impacting our residents and allows our Counties to — with the utmost responsiveness <br />— meet the needs of the community. <br />AO*1� The Three Counties support efforts and investment in Economic Development initiatives <br />that both contribute to the further diversification of our state and local economies, and <br />support tourism and cultural foundations upon which so much of our regional impact <br />depends on. <br />This guiding principle includes the Counties' support for things such as full funding for Visit <br />Florida, Enterprise Florida, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, the Department of State's Arts <br />and Cultural Grants, and reinstatement of the Qualified Targeted Industries Tax Refund program. <br />The Three Counties support key investments into Environmental and Natural Resources <br />that protect Florida's fragile environment, strengthen our resilience against the impacts of <br />climate change, address the stresses and impacts of continued growth on our Lagoon, lakes, <br />rivers, streams, beaches, and ocean. <br />This guiding principle includes stand-alone legislative appropriation requests for water and <br />environmental projects critical to the counties and region, comprehensive Everglades restoration, <br />beach and inlet management and restoration, and investments into the health and sustainability of <br />the Indian River Lagoon. <br />The Three Counties support robust investment in public infrastructure that supports both <br />planned and potential growth, strengthens transportation and communication networks, <br />and provides greater mobility and accessibility for our residents. <br />This guiding principle includes full funding of Florida's Transportation Five -Year Work Plan <br />through the State Transportation Trust Fund including appropriate funding for road construction, <br />public transit, deep water seaports such as the Port of Fort Pierce, and the Strategic Intermodal <br />