Alan Williams Calls for Bipartisan Seating at State of the State

Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, is hoping the Legislature will follow the example of some members of Congress when Gov. Rick Scott holds the State of the State address in March by having members of both parties sitting together.

Members of the United States Congress made an important declaration when, for the State of the Union address, they elected to ignore party lines and sit with members of a party different than their own, noted Williams in a letter sent out to Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park. That declaration, that it is time to put differences aside and instead work together to unite a nation, is one that we should follow, as well.Just as the members of Congress are our leaders, whose example we are meant to follow, so are we the leading examples in our respective communities and for the state of Florida.

As we welcome new members to the state Legislature and unite for the first session under new leadership, it is important to remember that we are colleagues, not enemies, continued Williams. Though we are elected as Republican or Democrat, we are all dedicated to the same goal, though the means by which we pursue that goal may differ.We must send the message to the state of Florida that cooperation, not division, is the method by which that goal is attained.

In that spirit, mixed seating during the State of the State would encourage members to ignore party lines and instead focus on important issues regarding legislation, added Williams. It would allow us to change the tone of political discourse in the state, and regain confidence of the citizens of Florida.As the House speaker and Senate president, I hope the legacy that you leave is that you encouraged legislators to put aside their differences so that they might work together in the manner that best serves Florida and its citizens.I think the introduction of mixed seating at the State of the State would be one way by which that might be achieved, and I hope you consider this request.

Republicans control 81 of the 120 seats in the House and 28 of the 40 seats in the Senate. It might be pretty hard to see the Democrats, who have only 51 of the 160 seats in the Legislature, even if seating is done on partisan lines.

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