Florida Association of Counties Honors Representative Mike Fasano with 2013 County Champion Award

During its annual conference in Tampa last month the Florida Association of Counties presented Representative Mike Fasano with its 2013 County Champion Award.  The County Champion award is presented to legislators who have demonstrated support and understanding of county issues during the legislative session. 

This legislative session, Representative Fasano championed a bill to increase funding and physician requirements for prescription drug monitoring – all designed to enhance public safety efforts in Florida’s communities. While attempts were made to water down local efforts to stop abusive pain management clinics, Representative Fasano held firm on the spirit and intent of his bill.  Representative Fasano worked closely with counties and law enforcement to maintain the authority for regulating these facilities locally. 

“Representative Fasano was a great county champion in helping to increase public safety as counties try to stop prescription drug abuse,” said Florida Association of Counties Executive Director Chris Holley. “Prescription drug abuse is a life and death issue and Rep. Fasano stood up to help our communities save lives.” 

“I am humbled that the Florida Association of Counties has recognized my small efforts on behalf of their member counties,” Representative Fasano states.  “It is vital that local governments have the ability to speak up and share their priorities with the legislature.  The scourge of doctor shopping and pill mills has been dealt with effectively in many counties.  I applaud their efforts and congratulate those counties who have come up with their own ways to address this important and life changing issue.” 

For more than 80 years, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.