JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers representing Duval County tell Action News Jax a bill that could have cost the city $100 million a year in JEA contributions is likely dead this session.
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The legislation would have capped the amount of money JEA and other public utilities throughout the state could have contributed to the local governments that operate them.
But according to Duval state lawmakers Representative Wyman Duggan and Senator Clay Yarborough, the legislation seems to have run into insurmountable roadblocks in both chambers.
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“I’m very relieved it appears it is not going to progress,” Jacksonville City Councilmember Nick Howland (R-Group 3 At-Large) said.
Howland supported a resolution condemning the bill, which was passed unanimously by the council last month.
“Because as JEA themselves calculated, this could cost the city over $100 million annually,” Howland said.
The legislation spurred renewed fears of a JEA sale among city leaders.
Related Story: Investigates: ‘Backdoor’ powerplay to sell JEA, says city councilwoman
Even with the bill seemingly off the table this year, it could come up in future sessions.
During the mayoral debate last week both candidates went on record unequivocally stating they would not support selling the utility.
“You’d be defunding everything. We get a lot of money from JEA and we cannot give that up,” Democratic candidate Donna Deegan said.
“I never once said I was going to sell JEA. I just want the citizens to know that is not true and when I am mayor the sale of JEA is off the table. It’s not going to happen,” Republican candidate Daniel Davis said.
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With the clock on the legislative session winding down, there are few opportunities remaining for the bill to be revived, but nothing is technically dead until session closes out next Friday.
