Unlike the 2015 regular session which ended in collapse, the special session morphed into redemption for many lawmakers who returned to the scene of the crime June 1 to do some serious work and burn midnight oil.
Though they're not mentioned among the winners, the staff in each chamber should be. When the budget goes neatly to the governor's desk, it will be largely because a bleary-eyed veteran and savvy staff has been there, done that -- and by the grace of God, came through for Florida again.
Without further ado, here is Sunshine State News' list of 2015 special session winners and losers:
WINNERS
Gov. Rick Scott. It wasn't all he wanted, but in the session's last week, less than 24 hours after the Legislature sent the governor a $400 million package of tax cuts, he enthusiastically signed the bill into law. The tax-cut package was almost half of the $700 million he asked the predominantly Republican Legislature for, but Scott applauded both chambers, saying it will help keep the state's economy growing.
Americans for Prosperity (AFP). Chris Hudson and his team didn’t let go after the regular session ended. AFP cranked up its efforts during the special session to ensure Medicaid expansion would not be adopted. Working the grassroots, AFP ensured that legislators heard conservatives were opposed to Medicaid expansion -- and plenty of Republicans listened.
Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Trinity. Having led budget efforts on the House side, Corcoran showed every indication of being a strong speaker when he takes the gavel after the 2018 elections. Corcoran was more than willing to risk his political career on keeping Medicaid expansion from happening and it paid off. He was far more outfront on handling the budget than his Senate counterpart, scoring even more points in what turned out to be a good special session for him.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island. The House speaker had a lot riding on stopping Medicaid expansion this year and he was able to keep his caucus in line while also insisting on a respectful, cordial conference demeanor among House members. At only 43, Crisafulli is already being talked about as a possible candidate for statewide office, perhaps involving a 2018 bid to replace Adam Putnam as agriculture commissioner. Crisafulli's first year as House speaker should appeal to conservative primary voters and they have to like how he was effectively able to stop Medicaid expansion in Tallahassee. The question now is, can he keep it up?
Florida Retail Federation (FRF). Rick McAllister and his team scored a big win for retailers as the Legislature agreed to the Senate’s plan for a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday starting Aug. 7. For more than 15 years, the back-to-school events have spurred retail sales. Extending the holiday from three to 10 days represents a significant boost to retailers statewide.
Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange. Even though she did not get all she wanted in her efforts to cut the Communication Service Tax (CST), this veteran legislator did well in the special session to cut the tax on cellphones and TV services. For years, Hukill had pressed on in her fight to cut communications taxes. In 2015, she finally saw her efforts pay off in the special session.
Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville. This Jacksonville Democrat brought out the Senate’s Medicaid expansion proposal in the House. She was facing an impossible task because the votes were stacked against her from the start. Taking hostile questions for four hours, Jones deservedly won praise from both sides of the aisle for her detailed presentation, responses and patience of a saint. Jones made her case ably and proved herself as one of the leading Democrats in the Legislature, frankly doing a far better job of making the case for Medicaid expansion than any of the senators did in the other chamber.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. Gaetz proved even though he may not be Senate president this year, he can still have a thumping impact on the legislative process. When the Senate and House went into crisis mode over Medicaid expansion, Gaetz remained relatively level-headed and carried it over into the special session. He remains strategic in his approach with other lawmakers: wise, tactful and determined. But most of all, Gaetz doesn't gloss over the seriousness of the work legislators must accomplish each session -- he takes his commitments in full stride. Gaetz's cool-headed poise is unmatchable and, if he runs for Congress or higher office, he will be a force to be reckoned with for any of his opponents.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach. Like father, like son when it comes to establishing himself as the commanding presence in his chamber. His debate on Medicaid was nothing short of spectacular, his work on the tax bill an inspiration.
LOSERS
Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon. This former Senate president took the reins as budget chair this year and failed to create a budget during the regular session. Although there’s plenty of blame to go around in both chambers, Lee did not make himself a strong presence in the Capitol. He didn't quite live up to the expectation of being a skilled budget crafter -- and seemed to fall by the wayside when negotiations took shape, opting instead to "work" the media. Unlike Corcoran, Lee didn't step up to lead his chamber.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando. The Senate president was at the center of the Legislature's debate over Medicaid expansion, an issue which became the clear defining point of this year's session. Some House members said Gardiner's personal affiliation with hospitals was the reason he caved -- and instead of sticking with the program he and Crisafulli decided on as the regular session began, he brought the issue up during this year's session. He even pressed on with it in special session, despite knowing it was likely dead on arrival. Neither the House nor Scott were behind it. The Senate proposal to expand Medicaid failed and Gardiner walked away with a huge loss, which defined his first year as Senate president.
Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach. Considering he's his party's leader in the House, this Democrat had a pretty unremarkable legislative session. Pafford was more than a mere victim of not having the votes. Too many times he stood alone on some major issue this legislative session, casting the lone vote in the House against a massive tax-cut package, for example, saving Floridians $400 million. Not exactly where a leader wants to be in regard to his caucus.
The Everglades Trust/Foundation/Coalition. This Paul Tudor Jones-financed environmental group muscled up in an effort to convince legislators to spend $500 million of Amendment 1 proceeds on land south of Lake Okeechobee to store and flow water -- preferably the U.S. Sugar land option. But when lawmakers showed no interest and South Florida Water Management District took the sugar option off the table, the group launched an attack-mailer campaign aimed at three environmentally active South Florida representatives "who didn't do enough." The result was a spectacular backfire.
Florida's Water and Land Legacy. By a 75 percent supermajority, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1, the Water and Land Conservation Amendment, to “fund the Land Acquisition Trust Fund." But lawmakers provided less than $100 million for land and even before the session ended had made their first raid on the trust fund.
Reach Allison Nielsen at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen. Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN. Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith.
