2009 Legislative Priorities  

(Updated April 28, 2009)

The Florida Public Interest Research Group is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan advocate for the public interest. Our mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented, advocacy that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive government.  

This is an updated legislative agenda for the remaining week of session.We have positions on many other issue currently under consideration but these issues are where we will focus most of our energy.

ELECTIONS & VOTING

Florida PIRG opposes SB 956 by Sen. Alexander and HB 7149 by Rep. Murzin. These bills would make it more difficult for people to vote, disenfranchise voters, undermine the ballot initiative process and eliminate election protection in the state while loosening campaign finance laws.

Florida PIRG opposes SJR 564 and HJR 81 which would eliminate language in the Constitution requiring that Florida have a public campaign finance system if approved by voters.

HEALTH CARE:

Florida PIRG supports efforts to lower health costs by raising the state surcharge on a pack of cigarettes by $1.00. Health care costs have risen dramatically over the past decade and employer sponsored insurance premiums are projected to double by 2016. During the 2009 legislative session FL PIRG will work to lower health costs by improving the public health and by supporting legislation aiming to lower costs through tobacco prevention.

Florida PIRG supports efforts to reduce smoking and its associated costs by raising the state tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.00 and directing the new revenues towards critical health care needs.

Florida PIRG opposes SB 1122 by Sen. Gaetz and HB 855 by Llorente which would raise health care costs by undermining preferred provider organizations (PPO’s) like Blue Cross Blue Shield by requiring PPO’s to pay out-of-network doctors directly thereby discouraging doctors to join networks who can negotiate lower costs for consumers.

TRANSPORTATION

Florida PIRG supports SB 582 by Senator Baker and urges House members to support this bill which contains language that would allow the legislature to act as a check on decisions by the Florida Department of Transportation to lease existing roadways and expressways. Florida PIRG opposes toll-road leasing agreements that fail to ensure public control of our transportation infrastructure.

TOXICS & PUBLIC HEALTH

Florida PIRG supports SB 114 by Sen. Justice and HB 1229 by Rep. Kriseman which would require the Department of Environmental Protection to notify all property owners within 1000 feet of a industrial site contaminated by a toxic chemical. It also requires notice to certain elected officials and the presidents of home owners associations along with notice to the superintendent and the principles of schools if they are within a 1 mile radius of the contaminated site.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

Florida PIRG opposes SB 1122 and HB 1465 the so called “Consumer Choice and Protection Act” which would cause rate increases for most persons who have land-line telephones, reduce the Florida Public Service Commissions (PSC) regulatory oversight of the quality of services delivered by telephone companies, limit the ability of the PSC to hold telephone companies accountable for bad behavior and make it legal for phone companies to withhold information regarding lowest-cost plans unless a consumer knows how to specifically ask for this information.

ENERGY

Florida PIRG opposes HB 1219 by the Policy Council and General Government Policy Council and others which would allow the sale of oil leases between three to ten miles off Florida’s coasts. We support policies that will help end our countries addiction to fossil fuels and support new energy alternatives.