Gonzalez encourages Young Republicans to be involved in government

Over beer and snacks at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch Tuesday night, about 30 to 40 area Young Republicans gathered to learn more about the most recent legislative session and chat with legislators in person.

Their interest was met with encouragement.

Rep. Julio Gonzalez (R-Venice), who represents District 74, was alone Tuesday to answer those questions, after others scheduled to attend canceled at the last minute, organizers said.

After discussing what legislation made it through and what they’ll likely come back to for just over an hour, Gonzalez had a message for the Young Republicans of Manatee and Sarasota counties.

“The one point I take home with me every time I leave Tallahassee is how important it is that everyone stick their nose in what (the government) is doing,” Gonzalez said. “You have to stay involved. You have to know the issues, and know people like me, and call me and chew me out when there’s something you don’t like.”

The evening, organized by Sarasota and Manatee County Young Republicans, started shortly before 7 p.m., when Gonzalez launched into summarizing what he called “by far the most controversial and tumultuous session” he’s experienced. The session ended Monday.

This year, fewer than 250 bills passed both chambers of the legislature out of more than 3,000 filed, according to the Associated Press.

Gonzalez discussed a project for River Road, a two-lane road that serves as an evacuation route that he called “dilapidated” with no lights or median strip and having several pot holes.

The problem, is it would cost more than $80 million to make the improvements he proposed — which included widening the road, adding a median, lighting and bike and pedestrian paths. But because it’s a county road and not a state road, the state won’t pay for the work. Now, Gonzalez told the crowd, he wants to work with officials to make River Road a state road.

“I like talking about the alternatives that are still available to us, because from my standpoint it’s like we went from the first quarter of a football game to change strategies and go to the next quarter,” Gonzalez.

Someone asked what legislators are doing about the opioid epidemic, and Gonzalez discussed a law passed in 2015 that allowed naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, to be prescribed to family and friends of an addict. He also touched on a law passed this session, creating tougher penalties for possessing or selling fentanyl.

“It’s literally a life-and-death situation for many, but it’s also a crisis for the community. Most of the things that I’ve done regarding public interactions ... and the opioid crisis have taken place here in Manatee County,” Gonzalez said, noting workshops and forums he has participated in.

When asked what he expected to see in future sessions, Gonzalez mentioned workers’ compensation, personal injury protection and medical marijuana.

He also touched on legislation surrounding education, funding for Visit Florida, a plan to build reservoirs south of Lake Okeechobee to treat polluted water, and the personal injury protection vs. mandatory bodily injury argument.

This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Gonzalez encourages Young Republicans to be involved in government."