Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, fleshed out the GOP leadership for the next two years, announcing his committee chairs on Monday.
As I said in my remarks during Organization Session, one of our goals over the next two years is to continue to strengthen the great brand of Florida, Crisafulli announced on Monday. The brand that marks this House is that every word, action, thought, and deed is all about Florida. I believe the individuals I have appointed to these leadership positions will truly put Floridians first.
Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land OLakes, who is scheduled to take over as speaker after the 2016 elections, will lead the Appropriations Committee. Corcorans committee announcement was made last month but the various appropriation subcommittee chairs were named on Monday.
Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchala, will take over the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations. Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, will chair Education Appropriations while Rep. Jeanett Nunez, R-Miami, will head up Government Operations Appropriations. House Speaker Pro Tempore Matt Hudson, R-Naples, will chair Health-Care Appropriations while Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, will lead Justice Appropriations. Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, will chair Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations.
Last month, Crisafulli named Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, to lead the Rules Committee and other committee chairs were named on Monday. Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, who is scheduled to be House speaker after the 2018 elections, will chair the Economic Affairs Committee. Rep. Marlene OToole, R-Lady Lake, will lead the Education Committee and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, will chair the Finance and Tax Committee. Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, will lead the Health and Human Services Committee. The Judiciary Committee remains with Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, while another North Florida Republican -- Rep. Dennis Baxley of Ocala -- will chair Local and Federal Affairs. Rep. Jose Diaz, R-Miami, will chair Regulatory Affairs and Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers, will lead State Affairs.
I have every confidence these committee and appropriations subcommittee chairs will do a great job steering policy and budgetary matters through the House, and I look forward to beginning our work next month during the January committee weeks, Crisafulli noted on Monday.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
