Legislative Insights: What Happened and What We Can Expect

Published on September 02, 2024

By Jeniffer Viscarra, Commissioner 

I strongly believe that helping people feel seen, included, and informed contributes significantly to the strengthening of a community. That is why most of my projects, as an elected official and private citizen, are either focused on education, children, or both.

I often think about opportunities I wish I had, and I try to bring that to the table for others. That’s how the well-received Residents’ Academy came into being, and it’s why I continue to work diligently on its spin-off – the Community Legislative Advocacy Program (CLAP). Little by little, we are moving from emails through my SIB Ajenda (not a typo) newsletter to a funded and functioning city initiative. Gradually, people who were looking for ways to become more involved are finding their voice and becoming more empowered.

To that end, I recently hosted a Town Hall with Scott Dudley, the Florida League of Cities Director of Field Advocacy and Federal Affairs, titled Legislative Insights: What Happened and What We Can Expect. I was happy to see neighbors, graduates of the Residents’ Academy, and some new faces in attendance. We were also joined by Senators Jason Pizzo and Jennifer Bradley, who were invited to contribute to the discussion.

Together, we addressed legislation that had passed and bills that were successfully blocked in the last legislative session. Some bills will come back for a second and third bite at the apple. With elections, the voting members change, and what may have failed one year may succeed the next. The battle is ongoing. We will fight it together.

Contact Commissioner Jeniffer Viscarra at seat4@sibfl.net or 305.792.1750.