Alert: Stop Florida Anti-Vacation Rental Bill

By Steve Milo

Right now in Tallahassee, a very harmful bill is speeding through the legislature that will severely restrict your property rights and strip away the freedom to manage your vacation rental business.To protect our rights and fight for our jobs WE MUST MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD RIGHT NOW. There are two easy ways to do this: (1) Email the Legislature, (2) Call the committee members who are considering the bill. We NEED YOU TO DO BOTH BEFORE NEXT MONDAY (FEB 3), and we’re making it easy for you.At the bottom is a list of legislators in the Florida House of Representatives who we need you to contact. There are email addresses and phone numbers for each.

FIRST, SEND THEM EMAILS…Send an INDIVIDUAL email to EACH of the Representatives on the list (for your convenience, a suggested format is below. If you are pressed for time, you can simply cut and paste – but also feel free to make the words your own):Dear Representative  __________________:I’m writing today to urge you to oppose HB 307 because the bill will destroy my property rights and those of other vacation property professionals like me. We are a vital part the Florida’s tourism economy. This bill is unnecessary because current law already balances the rights of all property owners. HB 307 would result in severe restrictions that would “zone out” some businesses like mine. With economic recovery just starting, it is the wrong time to impose laws and regulations that will crush our business. Please stand up and protect private property rights in Florida by opposing this harmful bill. VOTE “NO” ON HB 307 in the Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, February 4.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

SECOND, THEN CALL THEIR OFFICES…

The phone numbers that are listed for each member are their legislative offices. You will likely get a staff person or voicemail. Please be clear, concise and respectful. Feel free to share the passion you have for your rights and your business, but try not be angry.

Here’s a suggested script for the call:

Hi, I’m calling to let Representative ________ know that I’m urging a “NO” vote on HB 307 in the Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, February 4. Men and women like me in the vacation rental business are part of the state’s important tourism economy. This bill will destroy our property rights and allow overregulation that will hurt our business or even put us out of business. During the last few years of tough economic times, I worked very hard and contributed to Florida’s economy, and I need Representative ________’s support to oppose this very bad bill.

FINALLY, FORWARD THIS CALL TO ACTION AND ASK YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, VENDORS, AND EMPLOYEES TO MAKE THE SAME CALLS AND EMAILS.

Here are the key Florida House Members to target:

Representative:           District Phone:                        Capitol Phone:                                                 Email:

Debbie Mayfield         (772) 778-5077                       (850) 717-5054                       debbie.mayfield@ myfloridahouse.gov
Greg Steube                (941) 341-3117                       (850) 717-5073                       greg.steube@myfloridahouse.gov
Darryl Rouson             (727) 906-3200                       (850) 717-5070                       darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse. gov
Ben Albritton              (863) 534-0073                       (850) 717-5056                       ben.albritton@myfloridahouse. gov
Karen Castor Dentel   (407) 659-4818           (850) 717-5030                       Karen.CastorDentel@ myfloridahouse.gov
Travis Cummings        (904) 278-5761                       (850) 717-5018                       Travis.Cummings@ myfloridahouse.gov
Dwight  Dudley          (727) 552-2747                       (850) 717-5068                       Dwight.Dudley@myfloridahouse. gov
Dane Eagle                  (239) 772-1291                       (850) 717-5077                       Dane.Eagle@myfloridahouse.gov
Joe Gibbon                  (954) 893-5006                       (850) 717-5100                       joe.gibbons@myfloridahouse.gov
Mike La Rosa              (407) 891-2555                       (850) 717-5042                       Mike.LaRosa@myfloridahouse.gov
Kenneth Roberson      (941) 613-0914                       (850) 717-5075                       ken.roberson@myfloridahouse. gov
Cynthia Stafford         (305) 953-3086                       (850) 717-5109                       cynthia.stafford@ myfloridahouse.gov
Carlos Trujillo             (305) 470-5070                       (850) 717-5105                       carlos.trujillo@ myfloridahouse.gov
Steve Crisafulli           (321) 449-5111                       (850) 717-5051                       steve.crisafulli@ myfloridahouse.gov
Will Weatherford        (813) 558-5115                       (850) 717-5038                       will.weatherford@ myfloridahouse.gov
Robert Schenck           (352) 688-5005                       (850) 717-5035                       robert.schenck@myfloridahouse. gov
Travis Hutson              (386) 446-7644                       (850) 717-5024                       Travis.Hutson@myfloridahouse. gov