BRADENTON — Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse (R-D7) took to social media Friday to blast Gov. Ron DeSantis' signing of SB 180, which will extend a prohibition on communities enacting stricter land use regulations (including expanding wetland buffers) for another year.
Commissioner Kruse wrote the following on his official Facebook page:
Unfortunately, yesterday, without the usual photo ops and fanfare, the Governor signed the destructive SB180 into law. What was otherwise a very solid bill to manage post-storm emergencies was hijacked as a Trojan horse to carry this terrible language pushed by a single Manatee County developer.
When you're stuck with zero foot wetland buffers in spite of a 7-0 vote to revert back to 50 feet, thank Tallahassee.
When you're stuck with Policy 2.1.2.8, allowing for potential development east of our development boundary, thank Tallahassee.
When our comprehensive plan update continues to be delayed and rewritten due to state agencies, thank Tallahassee.
When your hands are tied and your local government cannot make sensible, home rule changes to how development occurs in our own community, be sure to reach out and thank your State for removing any future voice you thought you had in how your local community grows.
Now the awful language we've been dealing with from SB250 is extended until at least Oct 2027 and, due to new recurring triggers after each storm, it's most likely extended into perpetuity.
I was really hoping the Governor would see through this and veto SB180 over this added language, but I guess that was a bit too much wishful thinking.
If any state delegate still wants to push the narrative that this is exclusively for storm-damaged homes, let me know. I’d be happy to debate you on this bill and home rule in general at an upcoming Tiger Bay meeting.
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rayfusco68
We need a law that establishes the Byrd rule at all levels of government, not allowing extraneous wording to be attached to a bill. All bills should have one subject and stand on their own merit. Too much pork and harmfully legislation is hidden in bills that otherwise are good for the public.
Sunday, June 29 Report this
David Daniels
What happened to the tough talk that the county would proceed with eliminating 2.1.2.8 and reinstating the wetland buffers? The 50' wetland buffer is not a new, "more restrictive" amendments. It is re-instating what was in place when SB 250 was approved. What happened to the BoCC dramatically ripping up the developer letter making these claims, declaring them "bullshit!"?(Siddique). The wetland buffer is defensible. The county should proceed as the voters overwhelmingly demanded.
Sunday, June 29 Report this
writerlynn9717
BOCC should find another way around it, dig deeper and ask the public what they can think of that will push back on developers. The Governor's bill is an outrage. Of course, the governor could also be mad that "we the people" fired his developer-backing commissioners that DeSantis appointed to MC board of commissioners. He's a very revengeful governor, in my opinion.
Sunday, June 29 Report this
johnschussler
This is another example of one party state government political overreach. We need election reforms.
Sunday, June 29 Report this
sandy
Since the 50 and 30 foot buffers are still in the Land Development Code, how can they be more restrictive? Doesn't all development have to be consistent with both plans?
Sunday, June 29 Report this
WTF
Very disappointed in the governors signing of this bill I know he got tens of thousands of emails and letters of opposition. But the Bank role of developers were too much for him. We finally have a commission that’s willing to take a stance on overdevelopment and to have proper infrastructure to support those Development, when the time is ready, this puts everything at risk. I have no doubt this was specifically written for Manatee County. The developers were mad they couldn’t get their usual rubber stamping of megha developments so they went right to Tallahassee with their deep pockets. Absolutely a disgusting power play by the developers. Anytime he Developer comes in to explain a project we should show them the same disrespect. They showed us and have a very hostile environment when they do come in. They should be greeted with an army of GADFLIES… for the record
Sunday, June 29 Report this
serenowens
A single developer? I suspect it's the same one that ordered our Gulf Coast Experiment Station out of the County! What ever happened to Government of the People by the People and for the People. Instead we have government of the developer by the developer and for the developer. That Station move has cost the County many millions of dollars and no amount of impact fees will make up for that loss!
Thursday, July 3 Report this