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Hills. Legislators To Hear Towing, Pension Bill Views

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2008

PLANT CITY - The Hillsborough County legislative delegation will hear public testimony this morning on a bill designed to crack down on predatory towing companies.

The legislation would give Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission enforcement powers over towing companies that target cars on private business property without the owner's written permission.

The delegation is also proposing a bill to change Tampa's pension plan for general employees so that it complies with all federal regulations. State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, who is sponsoring the legislation, said it also empowers the Tampa City Council to alter the plan to conform to future federal law changes.

If the proposal does not pass, the city could face fines from federal regulators, City Attorney Chip Fletcher said. The bill, he said, would not alter benefits or contribution levels.

Rep. Michael Scionti, D-Tampa, is sponsoring both bills in the state House.

The delegation, which includes 16 lawmakers whose districts encompass all or part of Hillsborough County, will take public input at 9 a.m. The meeting will be held at the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College's Plant City campus.

If the lawmakers approve both bills, they will be forwarded to the House and Senate for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which begins in March.

Unlike in previous years, the delegation won't be considering requests from municipal and county government or nonprofit groups for money from next year's state budget.

Florida's tax revenues are in a free-fall due to the slumping state and national economies, and delegations across the state have been told to nix local funding proposals.

House Speaker Ray Sansom and Senate President Jeff Atwater announced two weeks ago that community budget requests will not be allowed because of the dire financial straits.

Lawmakers are facing a deficit of $2 billion or more in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. The situation is expected to be worse for the 2009-10 budget.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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