The Florida Senate Fiscal Policy Committee is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 1624, Energy Resources, on Tuesday, February 27th, at 9 a.m. This is a dangerous bill that sets Florida back 15 years in addressing climate change and further locks Florida into the continued use of fossil fuels. The House version of this legislation (House Bill 1645) is set to be heard on the Floor in the coming days.

We're urging Florida League members to contact members of the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee to vote NO on Senate Bill 1624. We're also encouraging members to tell Speaker of the House Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo not to agenda HB 1645 and SB 1624, and to tell their respective Representative and Senator to oppose the bills.

The LWV of Alachua County has been following the issue of changes to the administration of GRU for nearly a year. It has been our position that the process used by legislators to enact a new law was a breach of democratic processes and the state inserting governor-appointed Authority members as administrators of our municipal utility are a breach of home rule.

Currently, the Authority is discussing reducing and possibly eliminating the already reduced transfer of funds to the city. This would have a detrimental effect on basic city services and the quality of life of Gainesville residents. We have two immediate action items for you.