New laws to live by - Florida
President Ronald Reagan ably summed up the way most people feel about their government when he said: “the most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” Whether it is the busybodies’ anonymous approach to policing development, the shaping of communities in the image some government “so-and-so” deemed best without asking the opinion of communities or those who build them, or the “because I said so” approach to an application, We the People are fed up. And sticking with the Gipper, “when you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.” This year’s legislative advocacy, of which I am proud to be a part, was focused on making local government feel that heat. We educated legislators on the pain inflicted on the construction and development industry and how that pain has translated into hampering the American Dream of property owners and renters. Cities and counties cannot fairly cry out for more affordable communities while they impose rules that increase the cost of construction and development. They cannot fairly penalize property owners attempting to rebuild following a devastating natural disaster while simultaneously lauding themselves for being heroes during the very same natural disaster. Last but not least, they will not be allowed to take the Queen Marie Antoinette approach, “let them eat cake,” when they are asked, begged, and pleaded with, to compassionately serve their suffering constituency.
The 2025 special, regular, and extended sessions have been some of the most unusual, surprising, and time consuming of my lifetime. Nonetheless, as a patriot and advocate, I feel honored to serve as a voice for those who build America. I hope this legislative briefing will enlighten you as I remain humbly at your service.
