QC
FEATURE Florida League of Cities President Tony Ortiz speaks to the Northeast Florida League of Cities.
Florida League of Cities Past President Scott Black (from left), FLC President Tony Ortiz, Haines City Mayor Morris West and FLC First Vice President Phillip Walker at a meeting of the Ridge League of Cities.
HOME RULE
Advocate Year-Round
President Ortiz: This is how we succeed in ‘Building Stronger Cities’ by Joy Dickinson Florida League of Cities
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dvocacy is a year-round commitment. This message is being shared by Florida League of Cities President Tony Ortiz, Commissioner for the City of Orlando, as he visits with city leaders, business owners and other citizens across Florida. Quality Cities magazine asked Ortiz about his passion for Home Rule.
Q&A
HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN HOME RULE SIMPLY TO MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY?
Our nation was formed under the premise that the governed would decide who would govern and how; in other words, those representing the people would listen to the people and govern based on the needs and directions of their constituency. This particular principle is at the root of our very own Home Rule constitutional amendment passed in 1968. Home Rule gives the municipal and county governments the authority to pass local laws for the benefit of their residents and visitors as long as they do not interfere with already established state legislation. Home Rule is at the foundation of my Building Stronger Cities priority. This priority has focused on organizing and empowering cities and their citizens with the goal of delivering legislation and a government that is led by local choices. Home Rule is a nonpartisan issue. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or a Republican. We understand the needs of the people don’t have a party label. It’s all about working for the people. 28 QUALITY CITIES | THIRD QUARTER 2021
HOW CAN CITY LEADERS INVOLVE THEIR RESIDENTS IN ADVOCATING FOR HOME RULE?
We need to empower residents as advocates for local voices making local choices. We need them to stay in contact with their state legislators and make sure they have represented them well by voting for the bills that positively affect their communities and rejecting those that are not good for the community. WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD CITY LEADERS SHARE WITH THEIR CITIZENS?
Citizens need to know that many of the issues tackled during the legislative session, such as short-term rentals and homebased businesses, directly affect their property rights and personal safety. For example, when a house in the neighborhood is rented to 20 people who stay up until 4 a.m., or when your neighbor starts up a business next door to you like a car repair shop, a 24-hour gym or palm reading, these businesses can compromise the safety and integrity of the community.
