Amid budgetary constraints, Senator Montford stayed focused on District 3’s priorities

TALLAHASSEE– The Florida Legislature reconvened this month for a Special Legislative Session in order to pass a budget. Amid serious budget shortfalls and disagreements about spending, Senator Bill Montford reports District 3 fared fairly well.

“In the Senate, we know that with a realistic approach we can continue to cut inefficiencies and increase funding where it is needed most,” said Montford. “I worked with my colleagues to ensure that the needs of our district are met and that the State is committed to continue the good work North Florida has started. Senate District 3 is unique in many ways and its budgetary needs reflect those distinctive characteristics. We have pristine environmental areas and water bodies that need to be protected, local historic sites that must be preserved and unique economic development opportunities to be explored. Education is also a big piece in the State budget, and with a 3 percent increase in funding statewide, I know our schools can continue to support our students. We need to make sure that our district’s needs are met and the citizens of North Florida are treated fairly.”

Some of the statewide initiatives Senator Montford worked on include:

Agriculture: “As Chair of the Agriculture Committee, I have worked with my colleagues and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam, to make sure we address all of the agriculture issues facing Florida,” Montford said. “The laws passed in the regular session and funds appropriated during special session will help ensure Florida continues to be a vital provider to the United States’ agriculture needs. We kept a close eye on the agriculture needs of North Florida.”

Tax Cut Package-Includes an estimated $400 million in tax cuts for the citizens of Florida. Among them is a reduction in communications-service tax, which is estimated to save an individual who pays $100 a month for their cell phone service about $20 a year. It also provides a sales tax exemption for agriculture items and a tax reduction on cars purchased by military veterans who were deployed overseas. The bill will also extend the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday to 10 days in August and provide a tax break on school concessions sold at sporting events. 

Roads and Transportation- Senator Montford worked to increase the funding in the Small County Resurface Assistance Program, (SCRAP) by $25 million for a total of $50.5 million and an additional $9 million for the Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) for a total of $74 million. Both are vital in helping small and rural counties with transportation projects including:

• I-75 (SR 93) Alapaha river overflow, $624,605
• D2-Hamilton County traffic signal maintenance agreement, $19,912
• I-75 (SR 93) at SR 6 interchange landscaping, $200,000
• Lighting agreements Hamilton County, $27,726
• SR 143 from I-75 to US 41, $1,002,936
• US 129 at Love’s truck stop improvement, $2,135,000
• CR152 Madison county line to US41, $500,000
• SW 107th Ave from end of pavement to SW 8th Street, $280,000
• SW 59th Drive from SW CR 158 to SW CR 158, $1,211,625
• SW 79th Drive from CR 249 to CR 249, $1,554,000
• Hamilton Fed Sect 5311 rural transit funding, $158,204

Increased Environmental Spending– After the voters of Florida overwhelmingly showed their support for Amendment One at the polls, the Legislature got to work creating a long term, sustainable plan to protect pristine Florida. The work product includes $81.8 million for Everglades restoration, $55 million to buy land, and an unprecedented $47.5 million in funding for restoration of the State’s natural springs. 

“While this funding is not what most of Florida- myself included- had hoped for, it is certainly a start and a good sign that Florida is ready to commit to environmental preservation and protection of our springs and other natural resources,” said Montford. 

State Employees- In a year with so many budget cuts, there were numerous conversations about changes to state employee health insurance coverage, FRS and compensation. Through Senator Montford’s diligence, the state employee compensation package was unchanged this year.

“I am glad we were able to avoid any changes to the benefits for state employees and retirees,” said Montford. “In fact, our system is so sound it can be used as an example to other states. There is simply no reason to change it. We also have the lowest per capita ratios of state employees in the country. Florida can be proud of a lean workforce, but with only one raise in eight years and an 11 percent increase in inflation in the same period, it is time to compensate our state employees for their hard work. With so few doing the work of the State of Florida, it is imperative that we continue to attract the best and brightest with competitive compensation.”

Although an across the board raise was not funded this year, State Troopers did see a much needed increase, Montford said. 

“Another extremely important issue addressed was the funding of 163 additional corrections officers to help alleviate the staffing gaps,” said Montford. “While I am happy with those improvements, I will continue to fight for a long overdue pay raise for state employees and fend off any changes to FRS and state group insurance.”

Montford also secured specific allocations for Hamilton County that included $50,000 for Willie Guy Turner Park in White Springs and $2,168,454 for Phase I of the new Hamilton County Elementary School.

Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee) represents the Florida Senate’s third district, which includes the following counties: Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla. Senator Montford was first elected to the Senate in 2010 and re-elected in 2012. He serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and is a member of the Pre K-12 Education, Appropriations, Banking and Insurance and Rules Committees.