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Florida Lt. Governor Hears From Public During Umatilla Round Table

    Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins was in Umatilla Tuesday to lead a roundtable of business and community leaders as part of a statewide listening tour.  Collins, who has announced his intention to seek the Governor’s post in the next election, heard from the public on a variety of topics including housing costs, teacher pay, taxes, and more at the event which was coordinated by the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce and City of Umatilla.
    “What’s working?,” Collins asked roughly three dozen members of the community, including Umatilla business owners, Lake County officials, and leaders of a variety of community non-profits. Speaking on his reasons for stopping in a small town to listen, Collins said “I choose to be in the community.”
    During his roughly one-hour session, Collins addressed a variety of topics raised by attendees:
    -On small business regulation:  Collins said he learned in his time in the state senate how state law can be redundant and create unnecessary costs to business owners.  “We’re not thinking of the ripple effects,” he said regarding how laws enacted at the state level can at times increase burdens on business owners.  “There are many things we need to deregulate.”
    -On healthcare costs:  When questioned by Umatilla Mayor Chris Creech regarding the cost of insuring employees and its impact on the ability to provide the benefit, Collins said a complete rework of the system is needed, from provider expensing to teledoc services and healthier living.  “Healthcare is one of those things we need to figure out.”
    -On local funding:  Lake County Commission Chair Leslie Campione, responding to Collins comments regarding the need for impact fee reform, asked for a broader discussion, as local governments require such fees to fund roads.  Responding to Campione’s input regarding state funding of needed road improvements on state roads, Collins said he looked forward to sitting down with local leaders to discuss the issue.  “I want leaders in the community to reach out.  This is where good government comes from.”
    -On rising home costs:  Responding to a question from Lakeview Terrace director Chris Sefjack, Collins pointed to a variety of factors, including local governments hiking permitting fees, illegal immigrants reducing inventory by thousands of homes, and the need for better-paying jobs as all elements to making housing more affordable.  “We’ve got to make the economic model more affordable.”
    -On property tax reform:  “I’m a big ROI (Return on Investment) guy.”  Collins said, adding that he felt new efficiencies could offset lost revenue should the state’s voters ultimately move to reduce or eliminate property taxes.  Collins said he understands how local governments depend on property tax revenue, and its elimination is more complicated than a simple tax cut.
    -On education:  Speaking broadly, Collins said he would like to increase trade education in public schools. “These jobs are great ways to careers.” He would like to see businesses provide mentors in schools to help steer the next generation to needed trade professions.  Responding to a question from Umatilla High School principal Brent Frazier on teacher salaries, Collins said he supports paying more.  “We need to incentivize our best teachers.”