Bill Overview
Title: Preserving Options for Everglades Restoration and National Defense in the Straits of Florida Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of the Air Force from entering into an agreement that would provide for or permit the joint use of Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida, by the Air Force and civil aircraft.
Sponsors: Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-26]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals associated with or affected by operations at Homestead Air Reserve Base
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The Homestead Air Reserve Base is a military base located in Homestead, Florida, which serves military personnel and operations.
- Prohibiting the joint use of the airfield with civil aircraft will primarily impact military operations and potentially limit commercial opportunities.
- The local economy in Homestead might be affected if civil aviation opportunities are restricted.
- Environmental and restoration efforts, particularly those related to the Everglades, might have indirect benefits from limiting additional civil air traffic in the region, although these are not directly stated in the bill.
- The bill is focused on preserving military capabilities and ensuring environmental restoration.
- The population impacted most directly by this legislation are those associated with military operations, local government, and businesses that may have been involved in negotiations for civil use of the airfield.
Reasoning
- We will simulate a diverse group of individuals to reflect different perspectives related to the Homestead Air Reserve Base policy.
- These include a mix of military personnel, local residents, and business owners, as their wellbeing is potentially impacted by economic changes due to this policy.
- Including individuals from environmental conservation groups will provide insight into potential environmental benefits from limiting civil aviation.
- Not everyone in the population will be affected, and maintaining a balance of impacted versus non-impacted individuals provides a comprehensive view.
- Budget considerations imply that large-scale direct impacts might be limited and indirect economic or environmental effects are more probable over time.
Simulated Interviews
Air Force Officer (Homestead, Florida)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy is necessary for national defense.
- I'm concerned about the local community and economy being negatively affected without extra civil access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Restaurant Owner (Homestead, Florida)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about losing potential customers if the airfield stays military-only.
- The policy might limit business growth opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Pilot (Miami, Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm disappointed that civil access is not allowed. It could have created more job opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Environmental Scientist (Homestead, Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy indirectly supports environmental efforts.
- Restriction on air traffic can benefit the local ecosystem.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired (Key Largo, Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the policy but feel economic opportunities are stifled.
- We must consider both defense and economic growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (Miami, Florida)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Environmental preservation is important, and I see this as a positive step.
- However, local economies should also be considered.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Business Consultant (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy prioritizes military concerns over potential economic benefits.
- We should find a balance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Local Government Official (Homestead, Florida)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The restriction could impact local economic development.
- There may need to be additional support measures for businesses affected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Small Business Owner (Homestead, Florida)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Limiting civil aircraft access could hurt logistics businesses.
- Local businesses might need incentivization to maintain growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Nature Conservancy Volunteer (Miami, Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could lead to positive environmental impacts by reducing traffic.
- The decision aligns with my values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 3: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 5: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 10: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 100: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- The balance between military operational security and civil economic benefits is crucial.
- Downtown environmental benefits may support Everglades restoration indirectly.
- Who will bear enforcement costs and how they are managed is an important question.
- Local economic impacts on businesses that might have been involved in civil aviation negotiations.