February 2019 Archives

EDITORIALS

More Floridians can’t afford rent; Gov. Ron DeSantis seems to get it | Our view

February 21, 2019 | Florida Today

Gov. Ron DeSantis began his term in January. FLORIDA TODAY’s Editorial Board will run a series of editorials outlining what we believe should be his priorities.
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Editorial: DeSantis budget targets priorities

February 8, 2019 | Ocala StarBanner

Gov. Ron DeSantis is getting high marks for his first budget proposal, a record $91.3 billion plan that includes more money for public education and a rollback in local school property taxes; funding for environmental cleanup in South Florida and beyond; money to boost recovery in storm-ravaged regions of the state; and an honorable resolve to stop raiding trust funds intended to preserve environmentally sensitive land and promote affordable housing.
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DeSantis’ budget priorities address the right priorities for Floridians | Editorial

February 8, 2019 | Sun Sentinel

Nothing reveals a governor’s priorities more than his budget. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ first budget — a record $91.3 billion — addresses the right priorities for Florida. Whether it’s the environment or education, the opioid crisis or affordable housing, DeSantis is distancing himself from his fellow Republican predecessor, Rick Scott.
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GUEST EDITORIAL: DeSantis budget a smart start

February 6, 2019 | NWF Daily News

Gov. Ron DeSantis is getting high marks for his first budget proposal, a record $91.3 billion plan that includes more money for public education and a rollback in local school property taxes; funding for environmental cleanup in South Florida and beyond; money to boost recovery in storm-ravaged regions of the state and an honorable resolve to stop raiding trust funds intended to preserve environmentally sensitive land and promote affordable housing.
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Another Opinion: DeSantis budget a smart start

February 6, 2019 | Leesburg Daily Commercial

Gov. Ron DeSantis is getting high marks for his first budget proposal, a record $91.3 billion plan that includes more money for public education and a rollback in local school property taxes; funding for environmental cleanup in South Florida and beyond; money to boost recovery in storm-ravaged regions of the state and an honorable resolve to stop raiding trust funds intended to preserve environmentally sensitive land and promote affordable housing.
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OUR VIEW: DeSantis budget a smart start

February 4, 2019 | Daytona Beach News-Journal

He’s focusing on issues that are pressing needs for the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis is getting high marks for his first budget proposal, a record $91.3 billion plan that includes more money for public education and a rollback in local school property taxes; funding for environmental cleanup in South Florida and beyond; money to boost recovery in storm-ravaged regions of the state and an honorable resolve to stop raiding trust funds intended to preserve environmentally sensitive land and promote affordable housing.
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Editorial: Protect affordable housing funds

February 2, 2019 | Gainesville Sun

Florida has an affordable housing problem. More than 900,000 households in Florida must pay more than 50 percent of their income for housing; they are one missed paycheck from being homeless.
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OP-EDS & LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ron DeSantis has discovered the secret to popularity: Don’t be stupid | Commentary

February 8, 2019 | Orlando Sentinel

It took me about a month. But I think I’ve finally figured out Ron DeSantis — and why he’s getting such good reviews so far. Florida’s new Republican governor decided not to be stupid.
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Opinion – Central Florida 100 Central Florida 100: ALICE, HUD and hope for the Magic

February 8, 2019 | Orlando Sentinel
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February 28, 2019 | WUSF

The Preserve at Sabal Park will include 144 apartment homes with rents ranging from about $400 to $900 a month depending on size and household income.
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Affordable Housing Advocates Push For Full Funding Of State’s Housing Trust Fund

February 26, 2019 | WUSF

State housing advocates on Tuesday gathered in Tallahassee to call on the Florida Legislature to use all state and local housing trust fund monies for affordable housing. The Sadowski Coalition is made up of 32 statewide organizations, including industry and business groups.
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Report highlights need for affordable housing

February 26, 2019 | Florida Politics

With a friendly Governor’s budget behind them, supporters are again rallying to cease raids to the state’s affordable housing fund.
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A Lack Of Affordable Housing In Florida Draws Attention From State Lawmakers

February 26, 2019 | WFSU & WUSF-Health News Florida

Associated Industries of Florida’s Brewster Bevis says affordable housing is good for both business and the economy.
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Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 2.26.19

February 26, 2019 | Florida Politics

Members of the Sadowski Housing Coalition will gather to call on the Florida Legislature to appropriate all the housing trust fund monies for the Fiscal Year 2019-20, 1:30 p.m. at the Plaza Level Rotunda.
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Last Call for 2.25.19 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics

February 25, 2019

The Sadowski Housing Coalition will release a report and call on lawmakers to “appropriate all the housing trust fund monies for housing for the Fiscal Year 2019-20.” That’s at 1:30 p.m., Plaza Level Rotunda.
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Workers strive while others thrive in Southwest Florida

February 15, 2019 | Ft. Myers News-Press

Here’s a puzzle for you, Southwest Florida: while you rang in 2019 with your lowest unemployment rate ever – 3.2 percent – more of you who work are unable to make ends meet, according to a new United Way study.
The number of Florida households that can’t afford basic needs — housing, child care, food, transportation and health care — grew 10 percent from 2010 to 2016; in pockets of Lee and Collier counties, it was even more.
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‘I saw no reason to dilly-dally.’ Gov. DeSantis got busy, and impressions changed

February 10, 2019 | Bradenton Herald

TALLAHASSEE – It was a moment lost on Election Night.

As newly elected Gov. Ron DeSantis faced a blockade of TV cameras in Orlando, he told reporters that he had been misunderstood, or “unfairly demagogued,” by political rivals and the media.
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Maybe this year the Legislature will stop swiping the money earmarked for Florida’s affordable housing

February 8, 2019 | Florida Phoenix

Scrambling to pay rent or find affordable housing is a daily reality for many of Florida’s poorest residents.
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Focus on Manatee: Here’s how the Chamber is trying to strengthen your voice in Tallahassee

February 8, 2019 | Bradenton Herald

The Manatee Chamber recently spent several days in Tallahassee meeting with state-elected officials, legislative staff and agency leaders. In addition to being a successful trip in terms of voicing our priorities, we believe meeting face-to-face with our legislators and their teams in the Capitol adds significant strength to our advocacy efforts.
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Sixty Days for 2.6.19 — A prime-time look at the 2019 Legislative Session

February 6, 2019 | Florida Politics

Gov. DeSantis’ budget doesn’t recommend any sweeps to the state’s local and affordable housing funds, known collectively as the Sadowski Trust. But lawmakers have historically raided the pool, which pays for the State Apartment Incentive Loan Program (SAIL) and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP). We caught up with Trey Price, executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, to talk about how the Sadowski dollars work and what to expect as budget writers consider the pool of money this Session.
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Economic recovery? For nearly half of Central Florida households, it didn’t happen

February 6, 2019 | Orlando Sentinel

Despite booming construction and tourism since the end of the Great Recession, the number of Central Florida households struggling to cover basic necessities continued to grow from 2010 to 2016, accounting for nearly half the population, according to a report released Wednesday by the United Ways of Florida.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget plan: More money for environment, schools, housing

February 1, 2019 | Orlando Sentinel

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis released a $91.3 billion budget recommendation to lawmakers Friday, his first as governor and the largest in state history — a $2 billion increase on the current year.
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Lawmakers, others react to Ron DeSantis’ first state budget

February 1, 2019 | Staff Reports

After Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday dropped his first proposed state spending plan, participants in The Process reacted with restrained praise.
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Ron DeSantis budget described as ‘sea change’ for affordable housing

February 1, 2019 | Florida Politics

Gov. Ron DeSantis broke with precedent on Friday by proposing to leave the state’s affordable housing trust fund untouched by budget sweeps.
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