opinion

Coming soon: Private beaches for the wealthy, paid by taxpayers | Opinion

Beachfront property owners, aided by high-priced lobbyists, have stripped local governments’ power to oversee your ability to enjoy the beach.

In 2016, Walton County adopted a "customary use" ordinance, reorganizing the public’s long-time use of the coast for traditional fishing and recreation, while codifying the ability of residents and tourists to continue to do so.

Wealthy beachfront property owners, however, led by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, rebelled. They lobbied the Legislature into passing House Bill 631, making it easy for beachfront owners to employ the courts to block the beach. Threatening signs, fences and security guards have been employed to block public beach use.

Similar efforts are being planned throughout the state. Indian River County for instance has been forced to file suit to establish public access to a large portion of its beach line, while beach blocking attempts are being looked at in Sarasota, Pinellas, Palmetto and elsewhere.

Panhandle Republican Rep. Jayer Williamson says his respect for private property rights would likely preclude him from supporting any effort to repeal HB 631. However, is it really private?

The amount of time and money state and federal governments have devoted in developing and providing vehicles allowing coastal owners to build and live on the coast is incalculable, saving these owners billions. I attended dozens of meetings following the devastating 2004-2005 hurricanes where these programs were developed and redeveloped, becoming a kind of "wealth-fare."

When the next storm hits the public will again foot the bill to repair beaches that beachfront owners view as private.

The state created things like the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, making it financially feasible for wealthy people — many from out of state — to buy or develop property on or near the coast. Federal tax exemptions have saved these programs and cost taxpayers a fortune.

The federal government also runs the National Flood Insurance Program, featuring heavily subsidized rates and monstrous taxpayer bailouts. It provides bailouts for beach-loving millionaires in Florida.

Beach re-nourishment following hurricanes has cost taxpayers billions, and flooding due to climate change-related sea level rise, erosion and rain pose substantial economic risks to Florida, according to two recently released reports.

Bottom line: Insurance ratepayers in Florida and taxpayers nationwide have, and will continue to, subsidize Florida coastal owners. In return, they have to stay the heck off the beach?

The good news is that two bill – HB 6063 and SB 1680, which simply repeal HB 631— have been introduced by Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Hollywood, and Sen. Lori Berman, D-Palm Beach. Call your state representative and senator; ask them to support this fair, common-sense legislation.

While we are divided politically on many issues, the vast majority of Florida voters agree with the state Supreme Court's 1974 edict that, “No part of Florida is more exclusively hers, nor more properly utilized by her people, than her beaches.”

Bob Lotane served as communications director in the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and as press secretary to Florida’s Chief Financial Officer.

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