While the Republicans have dominated the opening ceremony of the 85th Florida House of Representatives -- no surprise, considering they have 81 of the 120 House seats -- the Democrats had their moment on Tuesday morning when Democratic House Leader Ron Saunders of Key West offered his opening address.
Our state faces many challenges, said Saunders, noting the states high unemployment and continued mortgage crisis.
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Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, was just sworn in as speaker pro tempore of the Florida House. Legg who represents part of Pasco County, chaired the PreK-12 Policy Committee.
I am very humbled and honored, said Legg, before thanking House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and his family.
Legg called Cannon the captain of the ship. Then added, If hes the skipper, I must be Gilligan which is a little disconcerting.
In a more serious vein, Leggnoted the state remains plagued by a troubled economy.
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In his opening remarks, new House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, offered a conservative call-to-arms, attacking judicial activism. Cannon took aim at the Florida Supreme Court which struck down a number of proposed constitutional amendments forwarded by the Legislature, offering alternatives to amendments backed by FairDistricts Florida and allowing Floridians to opt out of the new federal health-care laws.
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In his opening address, new House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, took aim at the economic policies backed by President Barack Obama.
If someone had told those of us who were first elected in 2004 that by 2010 the federal government would be not only advocating but implementing the greatest expansion of government power since the New Deal, I would not have believed it, said Cannon. And yet, that is exactly what we have seen.
Cannon ripped into policies backed by the Obama White House, including new federal health-care laws and stimulus and bailout bills.
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On Tuesday morning, the overwhelming Republican majority selected Rep. Dean Cannon of Winter Park to be speaker of the Florida House -- and the new speaker responded with a promise to spend the next two years fighting for conservative values.
On Tuesday morning the overwhelming Republican majority selected Rep. Dean Cannon of Winter Park to be speaker of the Florida House -- and the new speaker responded with a promise to fight for conservative values as he wields the gavel for the next two years.
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The thin ranks of the House Democratic caucus convened Tuesday morning, choosing leaders to face two years of a dominant Republican majority.
While he is in line to become speaker after the 2012 elections, Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, is looking forward to handling one of the most challenging assignments in the House -- leading efforts to manage redistricting.
Incoming Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Haven, on Monday designated Weatherford to head up the House Redistricting Committee. Rep. Perry Thurston of Plantation will be the ranking Democrat.
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With an eye at running for the state Senate in 2012, Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, weighed in on being named to head up the Economic Affairs Committee.
I am deeply honored to be called to lead this most important committee, said Hukill, who represents part of Volusia County, on Tuesday. Revitalizing Floridas economy is of the utmost importance and I look forward to working with my colleagues to fashion state policies that create jobs and foster economic growth.
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Two weeks after losing the gubernatorial election to Republican Rick Scott, state CFO Alex Sink, the Democrat in the race, received a standing ovation from the House Democratic caucus and pledged she was not leaving the public stage.
We all voted for you here, said Rep. Jim Waldman of Coconut Creek.
Its a very challenging time in our state, said Sink who told the House Democrats that they would represent the 2.5 million voters who backed her. We need to hold people accountable every single day.
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