Tripping the Tallahassee fantastic

Ah yes, the Tallahassee trip.

That’s today and Thursday when about 120 of our Citrus County leaders head to the state capital to bring home the bacon.

Citrus County Legislative Days is the Chamber of Commerce’s big political event of the year. Not only does it attract local elected types, it also has community leaders from all walks. Some are coming to the Capitol for a specific purpose. For others, it’s their first visit.

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I’ve lost count of the Legislative Days attended. From a reporter’s standpoint, they’re somewhat un-newsy. Don’t get me wrong. A ton happens here. It’s rarely next day, front-page stuff.

Wednesday is meetings with agency directors. I always sign up for the Department of Transportation because that’s generally the best news potential. Everyone in the county is interested in roads.

For many years, those visits with FDOT were to push along the Suncoast Parkway and U.S. 41 widening. Now that we see state construction barrels throughout the county, our priority list is dwindling.

Other than continuing the widening of U.S. 41 between Inverness and Hernando, there’s not much on Citrus County’s FDOT plate.

Oh, one thing. The county is laying the groundwork for FDOT to help with widening of C.R. 491 between Pine Ridge Boulevard and S.R. 200. Reps from the chamber of commerce, which sponsors Legislative Days, brought up C.R. 491 to FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue last year.

While Perdue was noncommittal, when the subject comes up again, he’ll at least have some knowledge of it. 

Citrus County’s successful projects, such as Lyngbya removal in the Crystal and Homosassa rivers, have obtained millions of dollars in state funding in large part because of these visits. Advocates for river cleanup efforts hound the Capitol hallways, speaking with key lawmakers.

Others in our community notice how that works. Get the idea into a legislator’s head, keep it going, use funding wisely, and keep coming back for more. 

Andrea McCray, for example, is taking the trip to educate lawmakers on efforts to restore the historic Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Crystal River. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia pledged to seek $350,000 in the state budget for the project; Andrea hopes to get other lawmakers on board.

Knowing Andrea, Legislative Days will become part of her annual routine to advocate for the cemetery and other Citrus County projects.

(This year’s schedule is loaded with meetings and speakers. Here’s my Florida Politics story about it.)

Some years ago, I think it was my first Legislative Days, I traveled by bus with many participants. I recall asking Gerry Mulligan what the big deal was. Why did we have to travel 200 miles to see our legislator, when his district office is right down the street?

Gerry explained that it shows respect and commitment. Citrus County is so dedicated to its cause that it’ll load up a hundred community and political leaders for a whirlwind two days on the Legislature’s home turf. 

It works. I don’t know anyone who regrets taking this trip. Most of us eagerly anticipate it. Government geeks like me get their fill.

And if nothing else, Tallahassee will realize Citrus County means business.

Have an awesome Wednesday, friends.

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