print

Palm Beach County Rocks the Legislature

For immediate release: Date: March 15, 2007
Contact: Palm Beach County Public Affairs 561-355-2754

Palm Beach County “Rocked” Florida’s Capitol City during Palm Beach County Days 2007, which was held during the opening week of the 2007 Florida Legislative Session in Tallahassee. This annual event featured speaking engagements, informational meetings and festive functions aimed at gaining state lawmakers’ support for local bills and spending appropriations.

Commissioners, sponsors, and registrants welcomed the opportunity to meet personally with state senators and representatives, Cabinet members and committee leaders urging their support on a list of local items. Among the top funding priorities this year are broadening the economic base, providing safe and clean drinking water, heading off unfunded mandates and cost shifts, protecting the environment, improving our transportation systems, enhancing public safety, and expanding parks and youth recreation programs.

An important exchange of information took place during the Speakers Forum, a two-hour session in the House Chambers where budget and policy issues are addressed. Speakers this year included Sen. Dave Aronberg, Chair, Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation; Rep. Marco Rubio, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives; Rep. Dan Gelber, Minority Leader, Florida House of Representatives; and Kurt Browning, Florida Secretary of State.

Guest speakers at two sponsored breakfasts included Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp, Secretary of Education Jeanine Blomberg, and Frank Brogan, President of F.A.U. This year’s “how to” lobbying sessions focused on municipal and education issues, and an intro to lobbying. The sessions were conducted by Florida League of Cities, Schoolhouse Consulting Group and the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation Office.

One goal of Palm Beach County Days is to increase the legislative appeal of the events and with members of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation hosting every event this year, that goal was met and exceeded with an estimated attendance of over 70 legislators. Also, to make the Wednesday Night Reception more accessible to the entire Legislature, the entire Capital Courtyard was converted into a rock concert festival complete with stage, food and drink tents, VIP tent, and a light show befitting a rock and roll legend.

Palm Beach County Days was organized by the Public Affairs Department with the help of dozens of volunteers. Additionally, 71 corporate and municipal sponsors and nearly 400 registrants picked up the tab for meals, lodging, transportation, venue bookings, entertainment, prizes and giveaways. Thanks to all of those involved, Palm Beach County Days 2007 was a resounding success and will only get better.