Lawmakers hear calls for more hurricane aid, vaccine 'injuries' study, election security

DELAND − The Florida lawmakers who represent Volusia County partook Tuesday in the annual tradition of sitting and listening to local government leaders, social service providers and citizens thank them, thank them some more and then ask them for help.

More recovery assistance for victims of the 2022 storms Ian and Nicole, a study of what residents called coronavirus-related vaccine-induced illnesses, air-conditioning in prisons. And funding. Lots of funding.

Volusia County Council Chairman Jeff Brower told the Volusia County Legislative Delegation he's thankful lawmakers have been there for the local governments and their residents since the storms caused at least $858 million in damage.

"With your help, over 33,000 linear feet of TrapBags now protect our shoreline, giving our residents and businesses time and security to rebuild seawalls and property," Brower said. "And major beach restoration projects are in progress."

But renourishing the beach and rebuilding will take a long time, he said.

"If state and federal bodies hadn't greenlighted coastal construction to continue beyond April 30, when sea turtle nesting season began, our residents and businesses would not have been able to continue making essential repairs," he said.

Brower said the county will likely need help clearing the way for more construction to continue during nesting season next summer.

Daytona Beach Shores Mayor Nancy Miller praised the state's $100 million hurricane restoration reimbursement grant, supporting efforts to rebuild seawalls in one of the hardest-hit areas, before making her request.

Only condos and homesteaded single-family homes were eligible for the grants, and approximately $80 million remains in the program, Miller explained.

"Our ask is that some of the commercial properties on the east side of A1A and the non-homesteaded properties could be included in that," she said. "My reasoning for that is if you were down at our beach, you would see with some of the properties, their seawall was OK, but the property next to them went down and water got on the side of it.

"We need a contiguous seawall if we're going to be safe," she said.

Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, the powerful House appropriations chair, told Miller the idea behind the $100 million grant was to prioritize residents first.

"I completely understand what you're saying, that now we've got to complete that seawall. I'm a big proponent of seawalls," Leek said. "We'll take that back to the Legislature."

The 2024 regular session starts Jan. 9 and continues through March 8, when a budget is due to be completed.

Calls for recognition of coronavirus 'injuries'

People from different points on the political spectrum asked for a variety of actions.

Michelle Utter of New Smyrna Beach, who calls herself "vaccine injured," was among a trio of residents asking lawmakers for help in getting the medical community to recognize their concerns and look into the coronavirus vaccines they say that sickened them.

Utter said that 40 minutes after taking the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 11, 2021, she became ill, went home to sleep and the following day was unable to walk. Since then, she has suffered from chronic inflammation, heart palpitations, tremors, fatigue, tinnitus and other conditions. She has seen numerous doctors and had various scans to identify the problem, but it remains undiagnosed, she said.

She has had a federal Countermeasures Injury Measures Compensation claim in for two years, she said.

"I still have no idea if I'm going to be reimbursed for my medical," Utter said.

She said she feels "powerless against Big Pharma" and despite trillions of dollars being spent in developing the vaccines, no money has been set aside for "vaccine injured," she said.

Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, said he stands with Utter and others.

"It is saddening to me that there has not been a class-action lawsuit by a reputable personal injury firm that would be able to address the injuries caused to so many individuals who have been injured as a result of taking these vaccines," Barnaby said.

He referred those who believe they were injured by the vaccine to attorney Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel in Maitland.

Another constituent asked lawmakers to consider putting together a panel of medical experts to research the mystery of vaccine-related illnesses.

More election security urged

While the Legislature has made dozens of changes intended to secure elections in the past two years, a group of Volusia women pointed out several ways in which they believe elections can become more secure.

Florida's system for verifying the citizenship of voters has holes, said members of the Volusia Elections Integrity Committee.

Florida issues driver's licenses and ID cards to both citizens and noncitizens, said Tricia Cobb. Those cards do not distinguish citizenship, she and others said.

"We have a data source in our state to verify citizenship. We need to use it,' Cobb said.

Christina Bunnell said state law mandates local elections supervisors use electronic tabulation systems to count votes. She favors allowing supervisors to choose between electronic systems and hand counting.

"This change allows county leaders to protect their elections from potential issues with tabulators," Bunnell said. "Autonomy over elections would be restored to the county leadership."

Inmates' families make case for prison reform

A contingent of prison reform advocates offered suggestions for how to improve the state’s prisons.

Jackie Dunn, founder of the nonprofit Data 4 Change, made a case using numbers to talk about how the state has 25% of the nation’s life-without-parole population.

Those life-without-parole inmates should have a way of shaving time off their sentences by improving themselves and others, rather than simply for good behavior, Dunn said.

“It's time to get away from tough on crime and get to smart on crime,” she said. Karen Stuckey of Orange City, the wife of an inmate, thanked lawmakers who toured prisons and asked those who haven’t to make an unannounced visit.

“The food is terrible and those inside have to rely on the canteen to fill their stomachs,” she said.

Connie Hinson said she was surprised to learn that most of Florida's correctional facilities are not air-conditioned. She connected that to the shortage of people willing to work in prisons.

"We are 3,000 correctional officers short, and you have to wonder why. This is a government job, it pays well, they’ll give you raises, but I’ll be honest with you, no one wants to work in an un-air-conditioned facility these days," Hinson said.

She urged lawmakers to consider supporting House Bill 181, which would require air-conditioning in prison dormitories.

Questions of Conflict: Investigation shows 42% of Florida lawmakers have personal ties to real estate.

The List: Florida lawmakers with real estate, construction and development ties

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida Legislature ramps up for 2024 with Volusia delegation meeting