State Rep. Tyler Sirois spells out his legislative goals for Brevard | opinion

Rep. Tyler Sirois
·3 min read

Brevard County has a number of critical projects being considered as the Florida Legislature writes the state budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2024. In addition to tax relief for families and small businesses, I am working to secure funding to support a variety of local projects, including roads, water quality, and important community programs for veterans and children.

Property tax relief is a key consideration as we look to finalize our state budget. Property owners shoulder much of the tax burden in our state. With a reduction in homeowners insurance rates not coming fast enough, as a Ways and Means Committee Member, I support increasing the “Save Our Homes” current homestead exemption by an additional $25,000. If adopted by voters in a constitutional referendum, this could provide homeowners with hundreds of dollars in savings.

State Rep. Tyler Sirois lists his objectives for the legislative session.
State Rep. Tyler Sirois lists his objectives for the legislative session.

My top priority is funding for the Ellis Road Widening Project. This $4.2 million request would support pre-construction activities such as land clearing, utility relocations, and right-of-way acquisition. I applaud the Brevard Board of County Commissioners on their prioritization of this infrastructure project. Widening the connection between the airport and Interstate 95 will support future growth in this business corridor and relieve traffic congestion on surrounding roads.  Unfortunately, given inflation and the rising cost of materials this project has grown in cost. My hope is to allocate more state dollars to expedite the completion of this work.  The Ellis Road expansion is essential to Brevard County’s continued economic growth.

Education is another key investment for Brevard County.  I remain committed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ goal for Florida to lead the nation in high-tech workforce training. To that end, I am supporting a $5.1 million request for Eastern Florida State College to continue to offer workforce training in advanced manufacturing. In furtherance of Florida’s long-term transportation and infrastructure goals, I am proud to support the joint Florida State University and Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University School of Engineering.

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Since joining the legislature in 2018, I have sponsored a number of projects supporting restoration of the Indian River Lagoon, including muck dredging and septic to sewer conversions. For Fiscal Year 2024-2025, I am seeking funds to continue legacy muck removal in areas of Satellite Beach and Merritt Island. Muck removal is essential to the restoration of seagrasses, which serve to filter sediment, prevent erosion, and create a habitat for sea life.

Florida is the most veteran and military friendly state in the nation; I would argue that Brevard is the most veteran-friendly county! As one illustration of this commitment, we are renewing our annual budget request in support of National Veterans Homeless Support. This organization’s mission is to provide critical multidisciplinary support to our region’s population of homeless veterans. This annual state grant is used to support case managers.

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Another budget priority is necessary because Congress has failed to act. The Victims of Crime Act is a federal law that provides resources and funding to state and local programs to assist crime victims. Unfortunately, Congress has been unwilling or unable to renew this important program. I am sponsoring a $4.8 million request for the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers to continue to provide essential services to child victims.  In addition to the statewide impact, this funding will support needed victim services for children here in Brevard County.

Scenes of the dredging project on the Grand Canal near Pineda Causeway which is part of the Save Our Indian Lagoon Plan. They are removing large amounts of organic muck from waterways in South Patrick Shores and Satellite Beach areas.
Scenes of the dredging project on the Grand Canal near Pineda Causeway which is part of the Save Our Indian Lagoon Plan. They are removing large amounts of organic muck from waterways in South Patrick Shores and Satellite Beach areas.

Over the next few weeks House and Senate negotiators will begin to develop a balanced budget. I look forward to working on these important projects. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me to serve as your representative.

Representative Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) is a member for the Florida House of Representatives and chairs the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: State Rep. Tyler Sirois spells out his legislative goals for Brevard