Next week, I will be heading to Tallahassee for the start of the 2012 Legislative Session, which officially begins Tuesday, January 10. I look forward to kicking off this session and working hard to represent and serve the people of District 2, keeping in mind our most important constitutional obligations of passing a sound, balanced budget, and redrawing the lines of our state’s congressional, house and senate districts.  Once our constitutional obligations are fulfilled, I will focus my efforts on our community’s needs and help to revive Florida’s economy and workforce by reducing overburdomsome government regulations, fees and taxes.

My septic tank inspection repeal bill, Senate Bill 114, remains one of my top priorities for the upcoming session and I will continue to fight to get this bill passed to lessen the unnecessary and expensive burden on residents who are held financially responsible for the inspections every 5 years. Also, my Senate Bill 238 would repeal the “Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act,” passed in 2008, that mandates ethanol be included in all gasoline for sale. I filed this important bill to allow for consumer choice and in response to the many of you who told me you were concerned about costly repairs or replacements of marine and small engines related to damage caused by ethanol gasoline.

I am also moving full steam ahead with Senate Bill 220, or the "Florida Driver’s License Citizen Protection Act," or repeal of the Real ID law, that will make for a less tedious process for citizens to obtain, renew or modify their driver’s license or ID card. In an effort to continue to reduce the overreach of unnecessary regulation, I also filed Senate Bill 1542 to repeal the law allowing red light cameras used to ticket drivers.

Lastly, it is my intention to file a bill that will roll back the cost of renewing vehicle registrations to its previous levels. This should provide additional relief for families who are struggling to make ends meet.

It is my hope that these priority bills receive the support of my colleagues this session and I will keep you posted as they make their way through the process.

Once again, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my legislative office at (850) 487-5000, or email me directly at greg@gregevers.com.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Greg