Bembry warns of more financial problems for Florida

State Representative Leonard Bembry stopped by Tuesday’s Franklin County Commission meeting to update the county on his first legislative session which ended in May. Bembry said it was an interesting year and to say that Florida had some budgeting issues would be an understatement. Bembry said Florida’s 65 billion dollar budget was only balanced because of 6 billion dollars in federal stimulus money adding that our problems are not over. Florida’s debt has doubled since 2002 and Bembry said the state is looking at further revenue shortfalls and they are significant. He also pointed out that beginning in September the cost of getting a new car tag will double – a move he said he was opposed to – adding he was one of only 4 representatives to vote against the increase because it will cost 55 dollars for every man, woman and child in the state. County commissioners were more than happy to give Representative Bembry more to work on – asking him to play an active role in opposing a rate increase for Progress Energy. They also asked that he try to find some state assistance to help people pay their current electric bills. The commission also asked that Bembry work to replace the state’s solid waste grants which were significantly cut this year. Those grants help fund operations at landfills in Florida’s smaller counties. And the board asked that Bembry look into why the Apalachee Mental Health Clinic in Apalachicola is unable to accept patients with Medicare, which forces many people to drive to Tallahassee for treatment they should be able to get locally. Bembry said he will do everything he can – and that he is proud to represent the people of Franklin County.