Legislative leaders set agenda

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TALLAHASSEE

Florida’s new low-key state legislative leaders offered a joint agenda Wednesday for the upcoming session focused on water policy, education and tax relief, presenting a firm conservative approach in a less fiery style than many of their recent predecessors.

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, speaks to the media during a pre-legislative news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, speaks to the media during a pre-legislative news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, are embarking on two-year leadership stints as relative unknowns across much of Florida.

Yet they will have significant power in a state Capitol where Gov. Rick Scott’s clout already is being questioned just a few weeks into his second term and where the Legislature is expected to drive much of the policy debate in the session that begins March 3.

Neither Crisafulli nor Gardiner is inclined to the type of bombastic rhetoric that draws attention, and their ideas were presented Wednesday with little flourish during a legislative preview event hosted by the Associated Press.

Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, speaks to the media during a pre-legislative news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)

Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, speaks to the media during a pre-legislative news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)

Both are considered solid conservatives who will not deviate much from the general policy direction the GOP-dominated Legislature has been on in recent years.

Gardiner succeeded Sen. Don Gaetz, who finished his two-year stint as president but remains in the Senate. Crisafulli took over as speaker from Will Weatherford, who was precluded by term limits from remaining in office.

Crisafulli was quick to shut down talk of expanding Medicaid in Florida, an idea that seemed to be gaining more traction after the conservative-leaning Florida Chamber of Commerce recently offered qualified support.

“The House stands where we’ve stood before,” Crisafulli said. “We do not plan to do anything on Medicaid expansion.”

Gardiner, meanwhile, expressed doubts about another issue attracting bi-partisan backing: Medical marijuana. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, filed a bill this week that would legalize medical marijuana for certain conditions, mirroring the constitutional amendment that narrowly failed in November.

Gardiner said a bill approved last year that legalizes a strain of non-euphoric marijuana was “a big step for a lot of members” and that “it’s hard to know how far you can go” with broader legislation.

Yet on some issues the two men deviated from the traditional GOP approach.

Crisafulli acknowledged the increasing opposition to high-stakes tests that determine whether students advance and are used to measure teacher and school performance. While arguing that the school accountability measures have produced “remarkable results,” the speaker had a message for test critics: “We hear you.”

Crisafulli said some of the tests may be duplicative and he wants lawmakers to take a hard look at the state’s testing mandates.

Both legislative leaders also said they want to boost per-pupil funding for public schools, an idea supported by Scott. But any new school funding would have to be balanced against a desire to cut taxes.

Gardiner said the Legislature will consider Scott’s proposal to cut the tax levied on cellphone bills. But he added that there will be “no shortage” of tax cut ideas and said he is not sure which will eventually be adopted.

On the issue of water — expected to be the biggest policy debate of the session — Crisafulli and Gardiner remained vague about how they plan to proceed but made clear they view a comprehensive overhaul of state water policy as one of their main legacies.

An important aspect of the debate is how to implement the new voter-approved amendment to the state constitution that requires substantial conservation spending. Gardiner said he expects a wholesale restructuring of how water projects are funded that conforms to the spirit of the new amendment.

Some observers have expressed concern that the amendment money will be used to pay for projects that are not directly related to conservation or traditionally have been funded by local governments.

Crisafulli said whatever happens with the money it will be completely “transparent.” Gardiner said people will be able to “track every nickel” of amendment-related spending.

Other joint priorities for the two men include expanding opportunities for the disabled and promoting adoptions.

Gardiner has a disabled son. He said there needs to be more funding to help people with disabilities find jobs.

Democrats offered their own set of legislative proposals Wednesday and questioned aspects of the GOP agenda. Senate minority leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, said she hopes issues such as sentencing reform for non-violent criminals and utility rate oversight get some attention this year, and called on Republican leaders to ensure the water policy debate does not become an excuse to sweep conservation funding.

“The underlying principles behind the amendment should not be distorted,” she said.

But Joyner also praised Gardiner as a fair and even tempered leader.

“There’s a great level of comfort with him,” she said. “And we’re going to work together for the good of the people of the state of Florida.”

Senate President Andy Gardiner

Age: 45

Employment: Vice President of external affairs for Orlando Health

Education: Stetson University

Hometown: Orlando

 

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli

Age: 43

Employment: Agriculture, real estate

Education: University of Central Florida

Hometown: Merritt Island

 

Last modified: January 28, 2015
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