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Grimsley: State, Local Leaders Need To Work Together

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2008

When she was in her mid-20s, Denise Grimsley, now 48 and a registered nurse, never dreamed she would get involved in politics. That changed when her father became ill in the mid-1990s and she stepped in to run his petroleum and convenience store businesses.

In looking out for her father's business interests, Grimsley traveled to Tallahassee to speak with state officials. She was shocked at how legislators were discussing important issues, such as the threat to the citrus industry from the canker disease. Too many legislators she heard, especially senators, were arrogant, uninformed on important issues, not interested in learning about, and uninterested in dealing with real problems that affected people in Highlands and other counties.

In four years, Grimsley will be term limited out of her state representative seat. So will Sen. J.D. Alexander. She has been mentioned as a possible successor to Alexander in the state Senate. Is she interested? "Highlands County is an important part of that Senate district and it's traditionally been held by someone from Polk County. But I think it can be won by someone from Highlands County."

Q: The Florida Legislature shifted a chunk of the tax burden to local cities and counties. Was this a good or a bad move? Please explain your answer.

The state pays for more than its fair share of health care, law enforcement and even school funding. When we consider new legislation which has a funding requirement, the fiscal impact is measured, and in recent years due to the slowing economy, we have tried to avoid any new spending at the state or local level.

I have fought for Highlands County during my time in the Legislature, and have worked with local elected officials to make provisions for fiscally constrained counties to have money returned to them from property tax reductions.

The slowing economy is having an effect on all budgets, from state to local governments. But the most important budget is the family budget. State and local leaders should work together to ensure tax dollars are being spent efficiently while we make Florida affordable again for our families.

Q: Do you believe the environmental laws are adequate, inadequate or too stringent?

As a representative of the largest agricultural district in the state, I believe we have to keep in mind the necessity of feeding our nation and not become dependent on foreign nations for our food supply. Agriculture and the environment can co-exist but it must be through a balancing act. We need to maintain laws and regulations that are effective in protecting our environment and our natural resources while maintaining a business atmosphere that is healthy and enables our economy to grow. The state of Florida has some of the most aggressive and progressive environmental regulations in the nation. For example, we are far ahead of most other states in the development and adoption of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). In an effort to meet these water quality standards, the agriculture industry has implemented best management practices (BMPs), which are farming practices developed to prevent impacts to surrounding areas.

This past year was a landmark year for the environment. We extended the nation's most successful land conservation program another 10 years, increasing the funding for land acquisition from $3 billion to $5.3 billion. In addition, despite some of the toughest financial times we've had in decades, we have continued to fulfill our commitment to restoring the Everglades.

Q: Is Florida's property tax system fair? If not how would you change it?

This past legislative session we made revisions to the composition of the Value Adjustment Board to include two private citizens, not just elected officials, and reformed the property appraisal process to protect property owners from unfair and over taxation. The legislation begins to ensure properties are taxed on their use, not their potential.

Presumption of Correctness of an assessment (in the challenge of an assessment) should be abolished. The burden should be on the property appraiser, not the property owner. The re-capture provision on the Save Our Homes exemption should also be eliminated. The mere fact that we have to continue to pay taxes on property we own is unfair.

Q: Do you support Governor Crist's deal with U.S. Sugar? Was it handled properly?

At the end of June, Gov. Charlie Crist and representatives from the United States Sugar Corporation (U.S. Sugar) announced the beginning of negotiations for an agreement to purchase 187,000 acres of agricultural land, nearly 300 square miles of land in Hendry, Glades and Palm Beach Counties. The land will be used to reconnect Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades.

I was deeply disappointed in the way this announcement was handled by the governor's office. The Everglades restoration is a partnership of the state and federal governments. The governor's office chose not to brief any elected officials representing the district prior to the press release to the Palm Beach Post. Consequently, the lack of information made it impossible to answer my constituents' questions as word spread rapidly throughout Clewiston and the surrounding communities. I believe the Governor's Office should have been more sensitive to the residents, and the uncertainty this proposal created in their lives.

While I applaud and support the effort to take a global approach to restoring Florida's Everglades, I have two concerns. First, the economic re-development of the area, and second, does the South Florida Water Management District have the revenue to pay for the purchase without raising taxes. It is imperative that we find a balance between preserving the environment and protecting the agricultural jobs that will be lost by this purchase in this rural region. This is a region that has counted on the sugar industry for economic prosperity for decades.

For all the potential positive impacts this deal could have it could also have drastic consequences for thousands of residents in the area if an appropriate economic development plan is not formulated. If an appropriate plan is formulated it will be a win-win situation for everyone.

What can the Legislature do to keep home insurance rates low in the coming years?

Encourage competition and increase funding for mitigation programs. This combination will allow rates to continue to drop.

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