News From The Legislature

Spring has officially arrived, even if the sun does not seem to agree, and we are approaching the halfway point of the legislative session. This last week the Senate passed bills to ban exotic animals and phase out toxic flame retardants. In addition to my legislative work, last weekend I was able to attend the retirement party of Jim Paynter, who is ending his tenure as Executive Director of the Hollywood Senior Center.
 
Also in this newsletter, I've included a survey to find out your priorities for the 2009-2011 budget. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and complete this survey. Finally, I will be co-hosting a Town Hall with Representatives Michael Dembrow and Ben Cannon on April 2nd, with a focus on the budget.
 
In This Issue
 
1. Senate Votes to Phase out Toxic Flame Retardants
3. Senate Moves to Restrict Ownership of Exotic Animals
4. Hollywood Senior Center Executive Director, Jim Paynter, Retires
5. Town Hall Reminder
5. Survey on Budget Priorities
 
Senate Votes to Phase out Toxic Flame Retardants
 
This past Tuesday the Senate voted 22 to 8 in favor of Senate Bill 596, which will ban a class of flame retardants known as DECA-BDE, which have been linked to cancer. As you may recall from the last newsletter, I supported SB 596 when it was in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which I chair. I am pleased that SB 596 has passed the Senate, and I hope the bill will soon be passed by the House and signed by the Governor.
 
Senate Moves to Restrict Ownership of Exotic Animals
 
This week, the Senate voted 28 to 2 in favor of Senate Bill 391, which will create new restrictions on the ownership of exotic animals. I supported this bill on the floor, and when it was in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, because it creates a stronger legal framework to protect both people and animals. Senate Bill 391 now goes to the House.
 
Hollywood Senior Center Executive Director, Jim Paynter, Retires