City of Opa-Locka
The State Lobbying Team successfully lobbied for the following projects to be included in the legislative budget: $700,000 for Burlington Canal Dredging and Side Slope Restoration, $390,000 for System Lift Station Rehabilitation. The City of Opa-Locka received at total of $1.9 million in funding.
Shortly after the legislative session, the Team assisted the City of Opa-Locka with a Summer Program Preventing Juvenile Delinquency grant in the amount of $37,344. The grant was awarded by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
City of Lauderdale Lakes
The Team successfully lobbied for the two projects to be included in the legislative budget: $500,000 for Flood Mitigation and $484,000 for N.W. 21st Street Roadway Improvement. The flood mitigation project was vetoed by Governor Rick Scott though the Roadway Improvement project was fully funded.
City of Miami Gardens
The Team successful lobbied for three projects to be included in the legislative budget: $200,000 for NW 170 Street Stormwater Drainage Project, $150,000 for NW 195/204 Street Stormwater Drainage Project, and $250,000 for Vista Verde Stormwater Drainage Project. All three improvement projects were vetoed by Governor Rick Scott.
Shortly after the legislative session, we assisted the City of Miami Gardens with a Summer Program Preventing Juvenile Delinquency grant in the amount of $109, 522. The grant was awarded by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
City of West Park
The City of West Park was also involved with the Team’s efforts to strengthen Juvenile Justice services in Florida’s cities. The City received a Summer Program Preventing Juvenile Delinquency grant in the amount of $102,164. The grant was awarded by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Town of Southwest Ranches
The Team, as part of a coalition with the Farm Bureau, the Agricultural Coalition, and others within farming community, addressed a legislature’s 2011 change that exempted farms from municipal codes. Working with the Commissioner of Agricultural, we had our language amended to a bill by Rep. Beshears in the House and Senator Brandes in the Senate. The language redefined farms and removed the municipal code exemption from non-farming buildings.
A park-and-ride facility was proposed for Griffin Road in the Department of Transportation’s Five Year Work Plan. The Team convened a meeting in Tallahassee with officials from the Town of Davie, The Town of Southwest Ranches, and representatives from the Department of Transportation. After the meeting and follow-up work, the item was pulled from the Department of Transportation Five Year Work Plan.
Miami-Dade County Public School
After two years of lobbying to create a felony for adults who knowingly distribute pornographic material to minors on school property, the Team successfully carried the bill across the finish line this year. Prior to the passage of this bill only a trespassing charge was applicable for such an offense.
Bethune Cookman University
The Team successfully lobbied for the allocation of $3,960,111 for access retention dollars; $173,286 for library resources; and, $78,685 for the Black Male Explorers Program. Access Retention dollars were increased by $500,000 over last year’s allocation and library funding was increased $133,333. Bethune Cookman’s University’s total allocation was $4,212,082 excluding FRAG.
The Team also lobbied for an increase in funding for the William L. Boyd, IV Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) Program. The legislature increased FRAG funding from $2,150 to $2,500 per eligible student. Bethune Cookman University, Edward Waters College and Florida Memorial University all have student that receive grants from this program.
Edward Waters College
The Team successfully worked on behalf of Edward Waters College to secure the allocation of $2,929,526 for access retention dollars, $173,286 for library resources, and $78,685 for the Black Male Explorers Program. Access Retention dollars were increased by $180,230 over last year’s allocation and library funding was increased $133,333. Edward Waters College’s total allocation was $3,181,497 excluding FRAG.
Florida Memorial University
The Team successfully lobbied for the allocation of $3,532,048 for access retention dollars, $173,286 for library resources, and $78,685 for the Black Male Explorers Program. Access Retention dollars were increased by $500,000 over last year’s allocation and library funding was increased $133,333. Florida Memorial University’s total allocation was $3,784,019 excluding FRAG.
City of Lauderhill Safe Neighborhood Improvement Districts
Forming a coalition between state Neighborhood Improvement Districts, the Team helped create language that passed the Senate and was debated on the House floor during the final day of the legislative session. This is an impressive feat for first year legislation.