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t’s not Session if someone’s ego and agenda doesn’t end up beaten and bruised. It’s the battles large and small that give The Process its flavor. Maybe that’s why these legislative brawls so often get labeled as food fights. Whether it’s liberal versus conservative, big counties against small ones or industries arguing over how to share the same marketplace, tension wins attention this time of year. What’s on the cafeteria match card for 2022? Medical disciplines, development interests and even a literal feud between just desserts all take their corners in the cage match we call lawmaking.
Net metering
Should solar power exist primarily at large power company properties or on Florida rooftops? Since 2008, Floridians who install cells on their own property have enjoyed financial incentives through net metering that allows consumers to buy and sell energy to companies. But businesses like Florida Power and Light have long argued the state needs to prioritize a power grid. Some lawmakers are already girding for battle. “FPL’s anti-metering agenda is motivated by the bottom line for them,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat. “There is a value to distributed solar they ignore because they lose money.” But legislation already filed by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, would require the Public Service Commission to propose new net metering rules. The legislation promises to redesign net metering to avoid cross-subsidization of electrical services, but many see it as an industry exerting power to control the switch. “Energy policy always stirs up a lot of energy,” said Sen. Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Democrat. “I know net metering this year will be large.”
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Nursing home reforms
By Jacob Ogles Illustrations by Andy Marlette
The coronavirus pandemic impacted staffing levels at Florida’s nursing homes significantly at a time when facilities needed their nurses the most. The health and safety of Florida’s seniors is critical to the economy and national reputation; this is the state whose “Seniors First” policy to vaccinate older Floridians in part through nursing home outreach became a model for the nation. But expect some friction between an industry hurting for well-trained staff and a state government supplementing long-term care costs that wants some standards on training and staff-to-patient ratios. Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat, made clear he sees a need for more accountability in the industry, especially as it turns to the state for greater help. “If we’re giving for-profit nursing homes $100 million in rate increases to deal with staff shortages, shouldn’t we require it to be used for increased compensation to CNAs/LPNs/RNs?” he said, suggesting the requirement of qualified nurses must be tied to any added help to the industry.
Winter 2022
INFLUENCE
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