Bluebee,
That is twice now you bring in "parties" to the discussion at hand. Dividing the efforts to fight or even discuss this, helps no beekeeper. I have been involved in fighting and helping with several county/townships, zoning boards, and cities debate various ordinances and restrictions. Never before has political party ever come up, or an issue be completely on one side or the other. Those for and against beekeeping, and such items as regualting what beekeepers can and can not do, stretch across both sides. And the same is true in creating laws for the public. I bet a fair share of most boards, state employees, university and extension folks who are looked upon for their input are from both sides of the line. Some may say it leans left if you actually look at it. The state employees union, and most state functions are certainly not "cleaned house" at the election of one party or the other. State EPA, state licensing boards, and a host of things keep chugging along regardless of which party is in "power". Money, influence, lobbying, and everything that goes into politics stretches far and wide.
Perhaps that is the problem with society as a whole, and beekeeping in particular. The first discussion of problems, and some want to draw battle lines along party lines. A real shame.
Years ago in Pennsylvania, the only way to become an auctioneer, was to apprentice two years under a licensed auctioneer. Each auctioneer could only apprentice two individuals at any given time. So the ones that did have the opportunity to apprentice were sons, daughters, cousins, and other family members. (Some family member apprentices, held that position for decades, giving the auctioneer the excuse that he could not help anyone else out as his allotment was already filled) All others were shut out of the business. The state pleaded and made it clear for years that more should be done in the closed system they had. The auctioneers did nothing.
So what happened with enough pressure? They changed the law that you could take college training instead of the two year apprentice requirement. They have two main schools in Harrisburg and Reading that now kick out hundreds of auctioneers per year. And the market is now flooded with auctioneers.
Who is complaining? Certainly not the many new auctioneers that perhaps have a full time job and auctioneer on the weekends as extra income or as a side business. It is the full time third generation auctioneer trying to make a full time living off the business. He is now losing many auctions to others. And they have nothing to blame but themselves.
And so it will go with the pest control folks in Florida. Instead of middle ground, pest control folks want it all or nothing. And this will no doubt over time send more folks into the business. And if folks can not get someone to train under, I bet other avenues will open up for those wanting to work. The right to work, be trained, and make a living is something even politicians can agree on. So one way or another, over time, the market will open up, the pest control folks will complain, and they have nobody to blame but themselves.
I know. I am one of those auctioneers that said to heck with working for some jerk for two years for a guy who did not want anyone stepping on his toes. :-D
There should always be a way for folks to get training and licensed, outside the complete control of the industry itself. Without that possibility, it is nothing more than corruption on all levels.