Barring an unforeseen reversal in Republican Party fortunes, the 2013 Florida Senate will look a lot like the 2011 and 2012 models.
When President Mike Haridopolos turns the gavel over to president-designate Don Gaetz, the state Senate may still be the "most conservative Senate in Florida history."
That sobriquet, bestowed by Haridopolos as he assumed the presidency last session, fits both legislative leaders.
"You're going to see a very similar Senate. Their philosophies are the same," says Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne.
Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, agrees.
"Both have (the) same philosophy -- extremely conservative on fiscal and social issues," he said.
In his acceptance speech Monday, Gaetz challenged his fellow senators.
- Behave in a way people sent us here expect. Set highest ethical standards and outwork the bureaucrats. Let there never be a time when the people of Florida are ashamed of their political leaders, Gaetz said.
- Lash Floridas education system to the needs and realities of the economy. Gaetz said the state universities are not preparing workers for the jobs that are being created in science, technology and math.No longer, he added, does the state have a luxury in educating students in interesting majors that have no job marketability and where students simply learn how to "friend" people on Facebook.
- Show the world that Florida is a place business can grow and families can thrive.
DIFFERENT STYLES
Like Haridopolos, who hails from the Space Coast, Gaetz, from Niceville, also represents a coastal community with a large military presence. Like Haridopolos, the Panhandle Republican also has a background in education -- though his came as superintendent of Okaloosa School District, not as a college instructor. Gaetz's private-sector experience runs deeper than Haridopolos', and that could bring some stylistic differences to how the Senate is run.
Helping to launch a health-care company, Gaetz is known as a task-driven manager.
"The management style will be different," Fasano predicts.
"Haridopolos is a bit more laid back. Don is (a) very hands-on individual. He will be very much hands-on as president," said Fasano, who considers both men friends.
But that doesn't mean Gaetz will be a bloodless technocrat.
"He is someone who will look long and hard at issues that will affect consumers. We'll see a direction back toward consumer protection" under Gaetz, predicted Fasano, who has championed many consumer-oriented initiatives during his tenure.
Gaetz has impressed Fort Walton Beach Tea Party leader Henry Kelley as a leader at the sometimes-contentious redistricting hearings being conducted around the state.
"My observation is that he will be a smooth, steady hand guiding the agenda. At the redistricting hearings, he's always remained calm and poised amid the invective directed at him," Kelley said.
Gaetz -- whose district covers parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties -- currently chairs the Senate Reapportionment Committee.
Kelley anticipates that the top priority for Gaetz will be business recruitment.
"He's focused on the economy, as opposed to the broader conservative issues. He'll be more focused on the business of Florida," Kelley said.
Altman says "Gaetz has been very good on jobs" already, and "is very close" to Gov. Rick Scott, whose campaign motto was "Let's Get to Work."
FRICTION POSSIBLE
Conflict could arise, however.
Altman, who unsuccessfully sued Scott over the administration's rejection of high-speed rail funding, says he has been "disappointed that executive authority has pre-empted legislative authority."
"We need to assert our legislative authority," Altman said. "There needs to be a healthy balance of power."
Gaetz supported then-Attorney General Bill McCollum in the 2010 gubernatorial primary against Scott.
But with Scott now head of the state Republican Party, the 63-year-old, devoutly religious Gaetz appears poised for a smooth transition. Unanimously selected by Senate Republicans who hold a 28-12 supermajority in the chamber, Gaetz is the father of state Rep. Matt Gaetz, Fort Walton Beach.
From reforming K-12 education to building the Florida economy, the elder Gaetz "is on same the page [as the governor and Haridopolos] when it comes to accountability and responsibility," Fasano observed.
Scott himself seconded that motion by complimenting Gaetz's address to the Senate on Monday.
He understands we have to do the right thing in regard to education, Scott said. Science, technology and math are going to be a real key to getting companies to come here and I like the challenge he set down, that we have to move more of these companies to our state.
But the other side of the aisle has yet to be impressed.
"Gaetz seems very much in line with other recent Republican leaders, so I don't expect him to focus much on real solutions for the real problems Floridians face," said Kenneth Quinnell, head of the Florida Progressive Coalition.
"He voted with Rick Scott 100 percent of the time, which shows he's really disconnected with the people of the state."
However, Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said Gaetz has earned the respect of his peers through his characteristic poise, unmistakable knowledge of the process, and dedication to serving Floridians."
He is a careful decision-maker who works diligently for constituents," Gardiner said. "The Florida Senate will be well-served by his work ethic and guidance when he takes the helm.
Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or (772) 801-5341. Staff writer Jim Turner contributed to this report.
