A Review of the 2008 Florida Legislative Session by Members of the Capital Press Corp
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Another legislative session has come and gone and, at least at the drafting of this program notice, no special session is in sight. Depressing state revenue reports-current and forecasted– coupled with the recent and overwhelming approval of Amendment 1 in January, appears to have led to significant budget cutting that “has reached the bone” for many state and local government agencies. Add to the mix the deliberations of the once-every-twenty year Tax and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) and the political rhetoric was exponentially increased. Promises to hold schools harmless, make deeper cuts and reforms into property taxes, and still meet the needs of Florida’s growing population are all issues awaiting judgment. What kind of grade(s) did the 2008 Legislature earn for their performance? Which issues were tackled head-on, what key issues were left unresolved, and who were the key players? To answer these and other questions, and to provide their personal critique and insight into what really happened in the halls of our Capitol, restaurants, and bars, the Tiger Bay Club is bringing back a tradition: The Capital Press Corps. In past years, the Capital Press legislative review has offered up many an interesting story-some printed and some not. On Thursday, May 15 at the Silver Slipper, reporters and columnists from the Orlando Sentinel, St. Petersburg Times, Miami Herald, and Tallahassee Democrat will reveal their perspectives, most interesting experiences and stories, and perhaps even their sources from the most recent session. So please join us at the next meeting of the Capital Tiger Bay Club and come loaded for bear with your questions.