Legislative Affairs oversees and manages the legislative and intergovernmental initiatives and functions for the county at the state and federal levels.
The department's responsibilities include developing the county's state and federal legislative agendas, coordinating the county's position and response to pending state and federal legislation, preparing resolutions, talking points, issuing briefs and legislative updates, and identifying and responding to federal, state, and local funding opportunities.
Legislative Priorities
Each year, Legislative Affairs develops the state and federal legislative agendas, which are used as advocacy tools to work with federal and state lawmakers and agencies. The agenda includes the county’s legislative priorities and the county’s positions on anticipated issues relevant to the county that are expected to arise in the current U.S. Congress or the current state legislature. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approves these agendas. The county’s legislative staff and federal and state lobbyists pursue the legislative issues listed in the approved agendas, placing special attention on the priority issues.
The office also prepares a variety of legislative advocacy materials, which include issue briefs, one-pagers, letters, and resolutions.
Monroe County state and federal priorities generally center on environmental issues such as Everglades restoration and coral reef protection, water quality protection, resilience, wind and flood insurance, and appropriations, among other issues.