Though U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, was elected commissioner of agriculture and consumer services last week, he isnt new to Tallahassee.
Putnam served as a state representative from 1996 to 2000 before his election to the U.S. House, and now takes over from current Commissioner Charles Bronson.
Bronson and Putnam met Tuesday to discuss the transition, but its unlikely it was the first transition discussion theyve had. Bronson endorsed Putnam and was one of his chief supporters during the campaign.
It was a tremendous help, Putnam said of Bronsons support. It means that it will be a seamless transition and the people of Florida will not see a drop-off in services between now and Jan. 4.
Putnams opponent during the campaign, Democrat Scott Maddox, emphasized less the agriculture, more the consumer services aspect of the job. But Putnam said he will be a strong consumer advocate, even though his dual responsibilities sometimes dovetail.
Its critically important. The single most important consumer protection issue in terms of health and public safety is food safety, Putnam said.
To that end, Putnam will now oversee the states recent agreement with BP to have the oil company pay $20 million over the next three years to test Floridas seafood products. Bronson announced the agreement in his office last month.
Weve let him know about that so that hes aware of the agreement as we made it. He agrees that in the interests of public safety this is a great move, Bronson said.
Putnam has also targeted new regulations on nutrients in waterways that are being imposed on Florida by the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with a federal lawsuit. He says the new rules will further stagnate job creation in a state already plagued with a 12 percent unemployment rate. The new regulations, scheduled to take effect in 2012, will increase standards for water quality in Floridas waterways.
Its arbitrary, its capricious, and its rooted in flawed science. Im working with regulators and legislators to put the pause button on that until the science catches up, Putnam said.
Besides gearing up to take on his new post in the Florida Cabinet, Putnam will also take part in the lame-duck session of the 111th U.S. Congress.
Were going to multitask, Putnam said of his two transitions. Theres still some pretty important choices to make between now and the 112th Congress.
One of those choices will be whether to extend the Bush-era tax cuts to everyone, or just to those making less than $250,000 per year. Republicans took the House in the midterm elections, but remain in the minority for the lame-duck session. Putnam said his Party will not support raising taxes on anyone, even if Democrats attempt to split the vote for tax-cut extensions between those over and under the $250,000 mark.
I doubt that Republicans will approve tax increases in any form, regardless how cute the Democrats may get in trying to make it happen, Putnam said.
Bronson, who was term-limited after 10 years as commissioner, said he is looking forward to life in the private sector, perhaps as a consultant, and is happy to turn the reins over to Putnam.
The only thing I can do positive for Commissioner Putnam is to make sure hes on top of all of those issues, Bronson said.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
