There are about 200 bills waiting for Florida Governor Rick Scott’s approval or veto. Lawmakers passed a number of measures close to their hearts, but they missed out on some proposals as well.
Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott signed the budget. But after missing out on his two legislative priorities, it came as a bit of a surprise how gentle he was with the veto pen. Ahead of session Scott wanted a billion dollars in tax cuts and a quarter billion in business incentives.
Ahead of session lawmakers had their own hopes, too.
Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) talked about an elected Secretary of State. Rep. Lake Ray (R-Jacksonville) wanted to get general revenue money sent back to the transportation trust fund. Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) was thinking about marijuana reforms and Rep. Joe Geller (D-Aventura) was holding out hopes for Medicaid expansion.
So how’d they fare? Elected secretary of state? Nope. Transportation trust fund? Didn’t even get a vote. Marijuana? Reforms passed, but they weren’t Brandes’. And Medicaid expansion? Well, Mitch McConnell would grab drinks with Merrick Garland before lawmakers would bring that up again.
But a lot of policy work did get done. In the first week, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli passed major water legislation, and Senate President Andy Gardiner gained approval for a pair of bills aimed at Floridians with unique abilities.
Sen. Tom Lee (R- Brandon) says he’s most proud of Gardiner’s efforts.
“What moved me most was the fact that my senate president who had a child with a unique ability dedicated his two years to funding some things that have been left unfunded for a good long while,” Lee says. “It’s sort of a tribute to why people are supposed to come here, and put the interests of the populace ahead of the special interest groups and the lobbying corps.”
And he was pushing those priorities until the very last moments. Just before the close of session, House lawmakers agreed to an insurance mandate for Down syndrome therapies. Gardiner was unable to pass that requirement in 2008.
“You know eight years ago we weren’t able to get that done,” Gardiner says, “and it was a very emotional moment on the floor when we had to concede it wasn’t going to happen, and to get that done? Yeah—it was pretty cool.”
For Sen. Oscar Braynon (D- Miami), there’s no question what he’s most proud of accomplishing this year.
“Needle exchange,” he says immediately, “Needle exchange for Miami Dade.”
He’s been pushing for that project now for years.
“That’s my number one bill,” Braynon says. “With the news about us being number one in new HIV cases I think programs that help us stem the tide are the type things we need to do and this is one of them”
But for Sen. Garret Richter (R-Naples) the thing that stands out the most is a regret.
“I’m really disappointed that we didn’t confirm John Armstrong—Dr. John Armstrong—as the surgeon general,” Richter says.
Armstrong faced opposition in the committee process and Gardiner opted against forcing a vote on the Senate floor. Governor Scott has tapped Dr. Celeste Philip as interim surgeon general.
For many lawmakers the end of session spells the end of their political career. For the rest, it’s the starter’s pistol for campaign season.
