Mayor to constitution panel: Bolster home rule, keep cities diverse
The Constitution Revision Commission has a tremendous responsibility and a rare opportunity to act in the best interest of local communities across the state. There is a time-honored civic principle in this country: “The government closest to the people serves the people best.” To honor that sentiment, I ask the members of the CRC to strengthen local home-rule authority so that cities can implement the vision of our Founders. Decentralized government, with strong cities, best allows us to meet the needs and desires of living and future generations in every community across the state.
Recently, two CRC members introduced proposals that would serve our state well. Proposal 61, presented by Sen. Chris Smith, deals with transparency and good governance. It is based on a simple idea: Local decisions should be made by local communities, not distant governments. To that end, it provides checks and balances that require the state to justify policies that concentrate power in Tallahassee at the expense of local cities and taxpayers.
Proposal 92, introduced by Commissioner Bob Solari, addresses unfunded mandates. It says that state lawmakers should pay for the policies they enact, not send the bill to local cities and taxpayers. Essentially, if you can’t fund it, don’t pass it. This mirrors the principles that local cities, towns and villages practice every day.
These good-governance proposals support our state’s effort to continue to create unique communities for future generations — not just for those who now call Florida home, but also for those who seek to move here. We have a state full of varied communities that meet the needs and desires of existing residents and newcomers — urban, suburban or rural. Each of our communities prides itself on the qualities that make it unique.
In Winter Park, we take great pride in our New England village atmosphere. This is keeping with our founder’s vision of creating a “winter park” for vacationing Northerners. Oak trees, bricklined streets, local merchants along our main corridors, a true town/gown relationship with Rollins College, and many more qualities. While we have transitioned into a home for relocating domestic and international residents and businesses, our brand is unchanged. The primary thing that keeps us different is our ability to decide what, if any, investments we choose to make to meet our short- and long-term goals.
Beginning two years ago, I invited all past mayors of Winter Park to join me in our Christmas parade. This has quickly become one of the highlights of this annual event, as it celebrates the ties that bind the past, present and future of Winter Park. We don’t always agree, and in some cases individuals march next to others who have been their staunchest opponents. However, we appreciate the service each of us provided and are thankful for the time and effort each committed to meet the needs of our citizens.
What we all agree on is the absolute need for our local elected officials to enjoy broad home-rule authority. We are not Orlando, Ocoee, Oviedo or any of our other closest neighbors and friends. We operate in conjunction with and, in many ways, in competition with one another. We don’t lack respect for our neighboring towns — indeed, our strength is in our appreciation of our differences. Decisions regarding community redevelopment authorities, wireless networks, mileage adjustments and other issues create these distinctions. Having these decisions made for all of us by the state Legislature means “Pottery Barn-ization” and less diversity and choice.
I understand the state’s frustration with the federal government imposing nationwide standards on Florida. We, too, feel this pressure and seek relief from similar mandates upon the local level. We support state action to correct abuses where they exist. However, the state should not penalize cities that are managing their communities with great success, to correct misfeasance by the wayward.
I ask the members of the CRC to strengthen local home-rule authority. The principle that the government closest to the people serves them best is truer today than ever before, and our stakeholders deserve the CRC’s attention to local autonomy.