Breaking News

 

From the President

Greetings everyone,

Needless to say, that January has been a busy and stressful month.  Director Jesse James and I were in Tallahassee three consecutive weeks.  Our bill Senate Bill 1022 could not get any traction from the Republican Legislators due to an impending fight over binding arbitration.  Democratic Senator Rouson from St. Petersburg did sponsor the bill but no one in the House took this on so the bill will not get the necessary hearings.

With that reality we focused on the FMHA bill Senate Bill 818.  As written, we believed it was very harmful to manufactured home owners.  The bill sponsor Senator Ed Hooper pledged to bring the two parties together and negotiate a better bill.  His commitment along with your activity in writing, calling and emailing Legislators made the negotiations happen and we are please with the results and can support the amended bill.

I have been saying for years your voices will be heard. However, I must admit during the process I believed we were not being heard.  Fortunately, you proved me wrong.  The activity you created in the House with the Legislators and Staffs was heard loud and clear.  We were told how you were knowledgeable, courteous and consistent.

In the end both parties were summoned to Senator Hooper’s office and an agreement was worked out. This would not have happened without your engagement and demonstrates the need for us to become more politically active.  This is my goal for our organization beginning with a voter registration drive in our communities.  Details will be forthcoming, but in the interim, consider how your community can be a place to accomplish this.

You’ve shown that we are a force to be reckoned with.  Let’s build on that.

Jerry Durham