Letter From Commissioner Robinson to Governor Scott

May 4, 2017

Dear Governor Scott,

As the 2017 Legislative Session draws to a close, we greatly appreciate you spending time with us in Northwest Florida and specifically Escambia County. Like you, we see this year's Session both as a mixture of some things positive and some things negative.

Despite the way the Legislature has voted, Escambia County was one of the first to rally supportively behind Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. In their initiatives, both Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, have engaged to protect the economic viability of our state and especially Northwest Florida. In fact, I personally wrote the letter of support to the Florida Association of Counties and participated in interviews with Gannett News to support your initiatives and positions.

While there are many things the Legislature either did or did not do that were not in our favor, there are many good items that were passed. One of the primary requests for Northwest Florida was the passage of legislation to implement Triumph Gulf Coast and to fund the trust fund with fine monies already received. This measure, while not perfect, will ensure millions of dollars will return to Northwest Florida to assist in workforce and economic development.  It also ensures that all of the eight counties that were disproportionately impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will benefit in some way.

I humbly request that you take the first opportunity to sign this legislation into law related to Trium ph funding, possibly even on your next visit to Northwest Florida. While you are here in Pensacola th is evening, I hope that Escambia County will be passing a formal request for your approval as well. The importance of this legislation for all Northwest Floridians is critical and we need your support now more than ever.