Commissioner Hayward J. Benson, Jr. brings home rule to Capitol Hill
Members of the Florida League of Cities Federal Action Strike Team (FAST) advocate for home rule in Washington, D.C.
Submitted Leslie Johnson
Florida League of Cities President and Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño recently accompanied Commissioner Hayward J. Benson, Jr. and more than 30 other municipal officials from across Florida to Washington, D.C., for the 2013 Federal Action Strike Team (FAST) Fly-in. While it was a very busy time in Washington with the sequestration deadline swiftly approaching, FAST members met with 23 members of Florida’s 29-member congressional delegation (and/or their staff) during their time in our nation’s capital. The group also met with White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs David Agnew.
Benson states: “This fast paced visit gave the cities of the State an opportunity to speak directly to their congressional delegation members to help them understand exactly what will happen in our cities and towns if some of the proposed budget restrictions are implemented”.
National League of Cities (NLC) Federal Relations Director Carolyn Coleman and several NLC lobbyists provided a federal briefing to attendees before heading off to the Capitol. This year’s advocacy efforts focused on preserving the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, supporting the Marketplace Fairness Act and urging Congress not to harm cities as they attempt to reduce the federal deficit.
The FAST committee was created in support of the League’s strategic plan objective to strengthen its federal relations. The primary purpose of this committee is to establish proactive and reactive communications with the Florida congressional delegation in support of federal municipal policy. The committee takes its policy positions and direction from the League’s resolutions committee and the National League of Cities’ policy priorities.
