Commissioners Hines, Robinson receive FAC Presidential Advocacy Award
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| Sarasota County Commissioners Charles Hines and Christine Robinson each received the FAC Presidential Advocacy Award on Wednesday. |
Hines visited the Capitol throughout this year’s Florida Legislature session to help educate legislators on the impact proposed juvenile detention funding would have on counties. He was an invaluable asset to FAC during the session and showed exceptional commitment to advancing public policy and protecting county revenues, FAC representatives said.
“We thought it was important to protect our taxpayers and work with our legislators to find a resolution,” Hines said.
Robinson served as a Chair of the Public Safety Policy Committee, helping to shape the organization’s policy platform on public safety issues leading up to the 2015 Legislative Session, and then continued to provide guidance on policy throughout the session.
“It has been an honor to lead the Public Safety Committee,” Robinson said. “We have dealt with some very tough issues this year, and I am proud of our advocacy for home rule and what we have accomplished for our county taxpayers. We need to remain vigilant in fighting state cost shifting and unfunded mandates to counties in the name of supposed state tax cuts. We experience this every year, and this problem continues to expand every year.”
“It is public servants like Commissioners Hines and Robinson that ensure our local communities have the authority to respond to the demands of their citizens,” said FAC Executive Director Chris Holley. “Commissioner Hines’ advocacy on behalf of Florida’s counties was instrumental in advancing negotiations on our priority issues. Commissioner Robinson’s willingness to advocate for counties on every level is essential to furthering the Association’s mission – to preserve home rule.”
For 85 years, FAC has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that government closest to the people governs best. FAC helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
