What can Manatee expect from Tallahassee in 2022? Residents, lawmakers share priorities
Manatee County’s state lawmakers gave residents a sneak peek at their plans before they head to Tallahassee to pass new laws during the 2022 legislative session.
In a Politics and Pancakes breakfast meeting hosted by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning, the county’s delegation of legislators said they plan to resolve the Piney Point crisis, approve Florida’s new redistricting maps and approve a balanced budget.
State Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota; Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton; Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, joined community leaders to talk about their goals in Tallahassee. Closing Piney Point, a former phosphate processing plant along U.S. 41 near Manatee’s northern border, is high on their list.
Earlier this year, one of the massive ponds began to leak, eventually spilling 215 million gallons of contaminated water into Tampa Bay. Now, lawmakers say they’re determined to write the “last chapter” in the Piney Point saga.
“We got the money appropriated, but we still have a number of significant steps to accomplish,” Robinson said. “For me, that’s an enormous priority this session to make sure we continue the progress with Piney Point because we can’t ever have that happen again.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis previously directed state lawmakers to set aside $100 million to close the site. On Thursday, the governor revealed his 2022 budget proposal, which includes another $100 million toward shutting the facility down for good. Working together as a team, Manatee’s state delegation said they hope to secure another allocation.
“(The governor’s) dedication and quick decisive action, coupled with the leadership of your county commissioners and delegation is why you got $100 million dollars and why this will be the last chapter of Piney Point,” Gregory said.
Under the proposed state redistricting maps, Gruters’ district would include parts of Manatee County. That change would further solidify the delegation’s ability to come together on important legislation, he said.
“I’m so excited to come back to Manatee,” Gruter said. “Our communities are so close and similar.”
“I always say Tallahassee is a team sport, and you’d be proud of the work that all of us are able to do,” he said of his fellow legislators. “These guys are superstars.”
Combating overdoses
Lawmakers have other plans for the legislative session, as well. Boyd described how he has worked closely with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to expand the use of Narcan, a life-saving drug that can reverse a drug overdose.
“This year so far in Seminole County, there have been 800 uses of Narcan. Sadly, 150 died, but 650 times, it saved their lives. Not to minimize the loss because even one life is too many, but 650 folks survived as a result of having that available,” he said, explaining his goal to pass legislation that would make Narcan available in pharmacies.
Traffic and growth
Manatee’s lawmakers also came together recently for a public delegation meeting where residents and community leaders asked them to consider laws that address local concerns. State funding to resolve traffic congestion and improve water quality were popular requests.
“We are growing at a rapid pace, with traffic being our biggest issue,” County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said at the time. “That’s what we hear from the residents and our visitors.”
Working closely with the Florida Department of Transportation remains a top priority for the delegation, said Gregory.
“It is vital to reduce that congestion, both east-west and north-south,” he explained.
Water quality
The ManaSota League of Cities, a coalition of local municipalities, urged state lawmakers to provide additional money for affordable housing, water quality and sea-level rise. The City of Holmes Beach also said it would support a “recurring funding source” dedicated to improving water and air quality.
“I’m proud to say we have just created our own water quality committee with representatives from our sister cities — Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach — to study what we as an island community can do to protect our waters,” said Holmes Beach City Commissioner Terry Schaefer.
On Thursday, Boyd said he was also dedicated to protecting the environment. He hinted at an upcoming coastal preservation project that could ensure several acres of Manatee County’s coast are not impacted by development.
The 2022 legislative session begins on Jan. 11 and is expected to end on March 11. After the session is over, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce will host a Pints and Politics event for lawmakers to recap their achievements. For more information, visit www.ManateeChamber.com.
