Crist giving close look to rule-making bill

Gov. Charlie Crist says he is giving HB 1565 regarding agency rule-making "a close look" as he considers whether to sign the bill or veto it in response to opposition.

Crist has until Friday to sign the bill, which would require the Legislature to approve agency rules that cost economic growth in excess of $1 million or affect private sector innovation or competition with other states. The bill has support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties. Last week, the Florida Home Builders Association and the Association of Florida Community Developers sent letters to Crist asking him to sign the bill.

Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham has said the bill would "greatly complicate" the agency approval of rules that are needed to implement laws that the Legislature approved. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection also has concerns about the bill but neither department has asked the governor to veto it. Audubon of Florida, 1000 Friends of Florida and St. Johns River Water Management District staff have called on the governor to veto the bill. And Sierra Club Florida this week urged its supporters to call the governor requesting a veto.

Asked Tuesday by the Florida Tribune whether he will veto the bill in response to concerns from Pelham and others, Crist responded, "I'm giving it a close look, yeah. There is a lot of that going on." And regarding his veto pen, Crist quipped, "People are telling me I need to get more ink for that thing."

(Story provided by The Florida Tribune. Story copyrighted by Bruce Ritchie and FloridaEnvironments.com. Do not copy or redistribute without permission, which can be obtained by contacting brucebritchie@gmail.com.)