Rep. Drake recaps legislature's special session

State Rep. Brad Drake recently discussed the legislature’s recently completed special session and issues the legislature could face in its upcoming regular session.
•Special session:
The legislature trimmed $2.6 billion from the state budget during its special session earlier this month.
“We were faced with the challenge of a bleak economic forecast, and because the state literally ran out of money, we had to go to Tallahassee to pay the bills,” Drake said. “Basically, we kicked the can down the road to buy some time.”
“I’m not going to tell my constituents that everything is rosy. It’s going to be a challenge. We’ve got to come together as a state and come to an agreement to do what is in the best interest in the state.”
Drake said Florida’s constitutional requirement for a balanced budget forced the legislature to make some tough choices, but said the national government would be well served to follow a similar example.
“Congress is just out of control,” he said. “That’s why we’re in terrible economic conditions now, because we overextended ourselves at the federal level.”
“We don’t have that option. We have to be fiscally responsible. It was not fun or humorous, but hopefully down the road when things look brighter we can say it wasn’t fun or easy but we did the things we were supposed to do and created an economic climate where business could flourish again.”
•Transportation:
“It’s one of the biggest issues we face,” Drake said.
The good news: Drake was appointed to the House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee. So, Drake has a voice on the committee that determines what roads are needed and what projects get funded.
The bad news: “There is no money, so that makes it a little more challenging,” Drake said.
Drake noted central and south Florida increased its transportation options by implementing a system of toll roads.
“I hope it doesn’t get to the level where just to meet basic needs we have to toll every road,” he said, “But if there are places where people want invest into toll infrastructure and the community is behind it, we should offer that up for consideration.”
(Committee members noted past feasibility studies indicated the cost of a toll bypass around Crestview would be cost prohibitive).
•Education:
Drake said most of his family worked in education, and it pained him to see cuts made in the state’s funding for schools.
“I certainly have passion and heart for education,” he said. “When you have to make tough decisions, you have to be honest with yourself and the public and make a prudent decision we have to live with for the next year.”
Drake noted the legislature allotted $6,861 per student, still considerably more than $4,406 per student allotted in 1994. The number peaked at about $7,000 per student last year.
“It’s like Christmas. Some years you are blessed, and some years Santa’s buggy isn’t big enough to carry those toys,” he said.
•Universal Sales Tax:
Drake said he keeps a printout of the 600-plus items exempt from state sales tax, a list that includes some questionable items.
Eliminating some of those exemptions could help the state generate revenue.
“If you look at the list, it is somewhat sickening to see some special interest groups put legislation in place to benefit one small group of people, and you and I will never enjoy that benefit,” he said. “We really need to dig in and see if there are some exemptions that are outright ridiculous. I know there are.”
•Taxes:
Drake was asked if he would support a bill proposed by Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) that would prohibit government entities’ use of taxpayer funds in political campaigns.
“I would do everything I can to support it,” Drake replied. “I think it’s insane for tax dollars to be used in a political manner to be used to advocate for or against anything. To spend tax dollars to push a political agenda is ridiculous.
“Any bill that will result in a tax increase on the citizens, I’m not going to be in favor of it.”
‘It’s been a challenge’
“The question I am asked most often, do you enjoy your job?” Drake said. “They say, ‘You picked heck of a time to get elected.’
“It has been challenge, but it also presents opportunities to meet those challenges.”
“It’s what I asked to do,” Drake said. “I want to work very hard and do everything I can to get us ready for next session and on down the road.”