Monday, March 22, 2010
It is the beginning of week four. It is hard to believe that the session is almost half over.
While this morning is a travel day back from the district for some members, I arrived at the Capitol early to meet with my staff, discussing and planning the week ahead. At the end of the meeting, week four was scheduled, but only tentatively because we all know the fast-paced world of politics can change my agenda at any moment. The rest of morning I held meetings with other members in both the House and Senate, discussing upcoming events for the week.
It was after lunch when my office began to fill with visitors from all over the state. Meetings were scheduled back to back all afternoon, which allowed me the opportunity to meet with a number of constituents, and even a couple of students' groups.
East Bay High School traveled to Tallahassee for the political experience and I was able to meet with the students. They asked questions about the class-size amendment. AMIKids also made the trip to town for their day at the Capitol. After meeting with the executive director of AMIKids and some of the students involved in the program, I was reminded of the non-profit work AMI does within local communities. They help out troubled youth while focusing on family values, education, character building, and experiential learning.
At the end of the day, I met with both my Education Policy and PreK-12 Committees to discuss upcoming bills and preparing for the committee meetings throughout the week.
When I finished the meeting, I returned to my office to end the day just the way I started it, meeting with my staff so I could let them know the schedule for the week will be changing.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Today is the 23rd day of the 2010 Regular Session and as I sat here looking over the calendar on my Blackberry, I realized today will be a very busy day.
My morning started off with meetings in my office at 8:00. Before I had to be in the House chamber, I met with constituents visiting from my district, District 61. I also met with a parent who was here helping lobby for Florida Virtual School; the Pasco county clerk and comptroller; and a group representing the Florida Legal Services legal aides. I even participated in a radio interview for another member and had my picture taken with the funeral directors from around the state. And then, as the bells chimed over the intercom, I knew it was time to head to the chamber.
Before session convened, all the House members sat at their desks to pose for this years panoramic photo and wait for the speaker to bang the gavel calling Day 23 into order.
Today was also a big day for one of the bills I am sponsoring, HB 1009-Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. This morning in the Capitol courtyard, 5,500 parents, students, and teachers lined up in support of low-income Tax Credit Scholarships. This became the largest parental choice rally in the nation. Also in attendance, standing by my side for this bill, were Gov. Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, Sen. Al Lawson, Rep. Dean Cannon, and Rep. James Bush. The rally helped show the state a new and constructive way for Florida to step up for students.
I attended a press conference with Chancellor Brogan, the Board of Governors, Gov. Crist, President Atwater and Speaker Cretul. It was regarding the announcement of a state university system governance agreement between legislative leaders and the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida. The amicable agreement resulted in the Board of Governors unanimous decision to withdraw from a lawsuit against the Florida Legislature. At 10 p.m., my last meeting adjourned and my day came to a close.
Rep. Will W. Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, is chairman of the Education Policy Council and serves on Full Appropriations Council, Education & Economic Development, Full Appropriations Council on General Government & Health Care, PreK-12 Appropriations Committee, Rules & Calendar Council, Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning.
