Florida League of Cities strike team takes on DC to lobby for local issues

Behind the scenes, town commissioners have a lot more going on than just town meetings. 

For Commissioner-at-Large BJ Bishop, that includes regular trips to Washington, D.C., as a part of the Florida League of Cities' Federal Action Strike Team.

The FLC is an organization that provides a “unified voice” for Florida municipalities, bringing together elected officials from all over the state to exchange ideas and lobby certain issues. 

Bishop and a group of about 50 other elected officials throughout the state participated in the trip known as the FAST Fly-In. The trips allow local elected officials to advocate for some of FLC’s top federal priorities. This was the second trip to D.C. this year for the team. 

“The collaboration and effective communication between local, state and federal government entities are paramount to serving our cities, and the League’s FAST Fly-In event afforded us that opportunity,” said FLC President Greg Ross, mayor of Cooper City in a press release. 

The most recent five days in D.C. were both insightful and interesting for Bishop.

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“It was really a very good trip,” Bishop said. “One of the many benefits being involved with the Florida League of Cities at the state level are the other commissioners that we get to touch base with.” 

Among those officials is Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, with whom Bishop said she’s forged a good relationship with over the years. 

“We have the same congressmen and the same senators,” Bishop said. “So (Koch) and I spend a lot of time lobbying and working together on issues that are important not only to Longboat Key but also to Sarasota.” 

Bishop also had the opportunity to meet Tampa Mayor Jane Castor for the first time, adding that she is a “delightful” person. 

Lobbying for locals 

So what do the Florida local officials do during FAST Fly-in trips? 

Meetings. Lots of meetings. 

Bishop said you almost need roller skates to get from meeting to meeting, from one end of the buildings to the other. 

Most of Tuesday and Wednesday were spent working, Bishop said. The team met with Senator Marco Rubio and corresponded with the National League of Cities. 

Conversations focused on issues such as the national flood insurance program, simplifying regulations for cities to receive federal grants and how to deal with broadband companies intruding on local zoning laws. 

Bishop appreciated being able to personally thank U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and his legislative aides for helping to find “significant” funds to help with the infrastructure project that installs a subaqueous line under Sarasota Bay. 

This was also a fascinating time to be on Capitol Hill, Bishop said. 

A few of the team members received gallery passes one afternoon, and they were able to witness one of the “no” votes for Speaker of the House. 

Protests, both pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian, that took place that week around the U.S. government buildings created an ambiance that slightly reminded Bishop of post 9/11. 

Then, on the last day of the trip, the team received a last-minute invitation to the White House to meet with politicians such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttiegieg and former mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landreau. 

In this meeting, Bishop learned about federal grants that can be available to local cities to be used for transportation and infrastructure projects — she was quick to pass the information along to her fellow Longboat officials. 

This trip also ended with a new appointment for Bishop.

While Bishop has been a member of the FLC’s Legislative Committee, the president of the organization, Gregg Ross, asked Bishop and Koch to be a part of his legislative committee. 

This committee is a bit more exclusive, and the “last straw” committee, as Bishop described it. These members are the ones that really decide on the main issues to lobby for or against. 

Bishop has been a part of the FLC for about four years, since her first year as a commissioner. She started on the Land Use and Economic Development committee.

Currently, she’s a part of the Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works; Public Policy Administration; Federal Action Strike Team and now the FLC President’s Legislative Committee.