Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
April 3, 2018 5:19 p.m.
Yesterday I had an opportunity to chat with Florida State Senator Aaron Bean (R-4thDistrict) to get his take on the recently completed Legislative Session.
Bean’s Senate district encompasses all of Nassau County and parts of Duval County. Bean has served in the Florida Senate since 2012. He served as the Florida House Representative for the 12thdistrict from 2000-2008, when term limits kicked in, forcing him to leave the Legislature. Prior to that Bean served on the Fernandina Beach City Commission (1996-99), where his fellow commissioners also elected him to serve as Mayor.
Bean, whose optimism has only grown stronger over his years of public service, said that the latest legislative session was “one of the most production session’s I have been involved with for Northeast Florida.”
Why would he say that? “First, getting recurring revitalizing money for the St. John’s River watershed has been a priority of the First Coast Legislative Delegation for four years. This year, Senator Rob Bradley (R-5thDistrict) and our delegation team made that happen with over $50 million for springs and the St. Johns River basin – which covers all of Nassau County. With our beaches still tender from Matthew and Irma, $50 million in beach renourishment projects with the bulk going to the First Coast is a huge win for NE Florida.”
Bean was especially excited about gains for Fernandina Beach and Nassau County. “Fernandina Beach is finally going to get some help with the Centre Street Waterfront drainage initiative.” The city received $450K for shore stabilization from the state. Bean noted other Nassau projects that received state funding, including the Council on Aging ($400K kitchen project), Port Improvements ($2M that will provide for a replacement crane), and Nassau County Fairgrounds Improvements. He said, “I am really happy about planning money for the William Burgess – Minor road Connector, which will give an alternative to A1A in Yulee.”
Bean stressed, “Rep. Cord Byrd was and always has been a great partner to work with.” Byrd(R) succeeded Janet Adkins as District 12 Representative, when term limits forced Adkins out.
Bean added, “I was honored to sponsor and help pass 12 bills including the Pregnancy Center Support Network Act, putting into statue a pro-life program that has helped hundreds of thousands of girls, women and families that sometime have no where else to turn; the Pro Bono Attorney Act, which encourages lawyers to act as a pro bono attorney for children in our welfare system; Excess Credit Hours Act, which brings some relief to college students who go over 110% of the required credits for their degree and find the tuition doubled!”
Cities did well this session, according to Bean, staving off several attempts at pre-emption. He shared an anecdote over the unsuccessful lobbying attempts to pass into law SB 574 (Tree and Timber Trimming, Removal, and Harvesting). The bill would have preempted the local regulation of the trimming, removal, or harvesting of trees on private property. Bean said that he was approached by another legislator, seeking support for this measure. When he declined, the legislator continued trying to persuade him. At that point, Bean sat him down and pulled out his phone to play back a voice mail left by his mother, Joan Bean. Mrs. Bean has not let age keep her from being a vocal proponent of environmental issues. The gist of her message was that not only should Aaron oppose the bill, but also if the bill were to pass, she suggested that he not count on any future dinners at her house. With that, the other legislator gave up trying to persuade Bean to back the bill, which finally failed in committee.
Bean expressed personal disappointment that he had not been able advance legislation that would have returned the position of Secretary of State to an elected position. Because that position oversees elections, Bean believes strongly that it should be accountable to the people. Currently that position is filled by gubernatorial appointment.
By far the issue that generated the most public reaction this year was gun regulation. Bean said that issue generated more hate mail from both ends of the political spectrum than any other he has witnessed. He supported raising the age for purchasing military type assault weapons to 21, but did not support banning their sale entirely.
Upon reflection, he agreed that the electorate has become more polarized over the years on many issues.
Never deterred, Bean is already looking forward to next year’s legislative session. “We will be back next year on Telemedicine and the DNA Privacy Bill – keeping private your DNA tests that you thought were private all along, [without understanding that] companies sell your test results.”
Senator Aaron Bean’s District Office is located at 13453 North Main Street, Suite 301, Jacksonville, FL 32218. If you wish to share your thoughts and concerns with him, you may call (904) 757-5039 or email [email protected].
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.