FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2008
CONTACT: Alberto Martinez
(850) 488-1993
MAJORITY LEADER HASNER PRAISESPRESIDENT ATWATER, SPEAKER SANSOM’S FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE DECISION
~Leaders Eliminate CBIR Earmarks for Next Florida Budget~
TALLAHASSEE, FL – House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) today praised Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-Palm Beach) and House Speaker Ray Sansom (R-Destin) on their joint announcement that both chambers will not have Community Budget Issue Requests (CBIRs) in the next Florida budget.
“Today’s announcement by Senate President Atwater and House Speaker Sansom regarding their joint decision to forgo CBIR earmarks in the budget underscores their commitment to put fiscal responsibility and the economic well-being of Floridians at the top of their agendas,” stated Leader Hasner. “I commend President Atwater and Speaker Sansom for their commitment.”
“We understand that every dollar is precious and must be spent wisely. We are committed to taking serious action to deal with a serious budget problem. President Atwater and Speaker Sansom are leading the charge as we take on wasteful and excessive spending in the system by eliminating earmarks like the CBIRs and reducing government inefficiency. Floridians can be confident that their leadership is taking a common-sense approach to getting Florida’s economy going again,” concluded Leader Hasner.
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Governor Crist Joins Governors, International Leaders to Address Global Climate Change
Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his leadership role in addressing global climate change, joined California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in co-hosting United States governors and international leaders in calling for collaborative action across the globe in the fight against climate change. The Governors' Global Climate Summit, held in Los Angeles on November 18 and 19, focuses on creative, collaborative actions to advance the global climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas. The summit also provides an opportunity for states and provinces to partner to reduce emissions and grow our green economies.
“Florida’s rapid progress has been possible only through partnership agreements with the United Kingdom and Germany, and with the help of my good friend, Governor Schwarzenegger,” Governor Crist said. “This progress does not come at the expense of future economic growth, but rather as a necessity to the future prosperity of our nations and states.”
Governor Crist has hosted Serve to Preserve Florida Summits on Global Climate Change in 2007 and 2008. Since signing three executive orders in 2007 to reduce Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and remove market barriers for renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy, Florida has stepped onto the world stage as a major marketplace for advanced energy technologies.
“Florida’s rapid progress has been possible only through partnership agreements with the United Kingdom and Germany, and with the help of my good friend, Governor Schwarzenegger,” Governor Crist said. “This progress does not come at the expense of future economic growth, but rather as a necessity to the future prosperity of our nations and states.”
Governor Crist has hosted Serve to Preserve Florida Summits on Global Climate Change in 2007 and 2008. Since signing three executive orders in 2007 to reduce Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and remove market barriers for renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy, Florida has stepped onto the world stage as a major marketplace for advanced energy technologies.
Statement by NRCC Chairman Tom Cole
NRCC Chairman Cole released the following statement today:
I want to congratulate Pete Sessions on his election as the next Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. It has been my great privilege to serve as Chairman of the NRCC, and I wish my friend Pete every success. While the past two years brought many challenges to this Committee, I was honored every step of the way to be able to serve my colleagues and my Party. To the legions of conservatives throughout America who dedicated their time and resources to helping the NRCC elect Republicans to Congress this year, I am truly grateful. I also want to thank my staff at the NRCC. They have done a tremendous job and I will always remember their dedication and their professionalism. As a new team takes the reigns of this Committee next year, I look forward to helping make their transition seamless.
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I want to congratulate Pete Sessions on his election as the next Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. It has been my great privilege to serve as Chairman of the NRCC, and I wish my friend Pete every success. While the past two years brought many challenges to this Committee, I was honored every step of the way to be able to serve my colleagues and my Party. To the legions of conservatives throughout America who dedicated their time and resources to helping the NRCC elect Republicans to Congress this year, I am truly grateful. I also want to thank my staff at the NRCC. They have done a tremendous job and I will always remember their dedication and their professionalism. As a new team takes the reigns of this Committee next year, I look forward to helping make their transition seamless.
####
New Florida House speaker urges humility to lawmakers
By Michael C. Bender, Palm Beach Post
TALLAHASSEE — Raymond Edward Sansom of Destin ushered in the 13th consecutive year of Republican rule in the Florida House on Tuesday, urging his fellow lawmakers to remain humble in their work, hungry for knowledge and loyal to their voters back home.
"The answers are not found in the four walls of this chamber," Sansom, 46, said a unanimous House vote to elect him speaker. "The answers are found out throughout all of our districts. They're found in the small businesses and around the board rooms."
TALLAHASSEE — Raymond Edward Sansom of Destin ushered in the 13th consecutive year of Republican rule in the Florida House on Tuesday, urging his fellow lawmakers to remain humble in their work, hungry for knowledge and loyal to their voters back home.
"The answers are not found in the four walls of this chamber," Sansom, 46, said a unanimous House vote to elect him speaker. "The answers are found out throughout all of our districts. They're found in the small businesses and around the board rooms."
North Palm Beach's Atwater takes over state Senate
By Dara Kam, Palm Beach Post
TALLAHASSEE — Jeff Atwater took up the gavel as Florida's 83rd Senate president today, prolonging Palm Beach County leadership of the legislature's upper chamber for at least two more years.
Atwater now commands a Senate in which fellow Republicans outnumber Democrats 26-14 but at a time in which the state is facing some of its bleakest financial conditions in recent history, an issue certain to dominate Atwater's tenure at least in the short-term.
TALLAHASSEE — Jeff Atwater took up the gavel as Florida's 83rd Senate president today, prolonging Palm Beach County leadership of the legislature's upper chamber for at least two more years.
Atwater now commands a Senate in which fellow Republicans outnumber Democrats 26-14 but at a time in which the state is facing some of its bleakest financial conditions in recent history, an issue certain to dominate Atwater's tenure at least in the short-term.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sen. Jeff Atwater elected Senate president
By Jennier Liberto, St. Pete Times
Sen. Jeff Atwater will take the gavel as the next president of the Florida Senate, and he thanked his colleagues today for the honor.
Atwater praised Gov. Charlie Crist, Speaker Ray Sansom and his family.
Sen. Jeff Atwater will take the gavel as the next president of the Florida Senate, and he thanked his colleagues today for the honor.
Atwater praised Gov. Charlie Crist, Speaker Ray Sansom and his family.
Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom
By Michael C. Bender, Palm Beach Post
The Florida House today unanimously voted Ray Sansom of Destin as the chamber’s seventh consecutive Republican speaker, a powerful position that will set half of the state’s legislative agenda of the next two years.
The Florida House today unanimously voted Ray Sansom of Destin as the chamber’s seventh consecutive Republican speaker, a powerful position that will set half of the state’s legislative agenda of the next two years.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Treasure Coast Republicans Posey, Rooney ready to be fresh faces in Congress
By Jim Turner, TC Palm
November 17, 2008
The Treasure Coast's new congressmen bring differing backgrounds with them to Washington, D.C.
One is a veteran state and municipal lawmaker who worked at the Kennedy Space Center during the Apollo era. The other is a first-time politician with a background in law, the military and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But both will be stepping into offices on the side of the aisle where they will have to work with and act as a check-and-balance to the majority party.
Republicans Bill Posey, 61, of Rockledge and Tom Rooney, 37, of Tequesta are to be the new faces of the Treasure Coast in Congress.
Posey's district covers all of Indian River County. Rooney's district has the bulk of the populated portions of Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Both are heading to Washington with Congress dominated by Democrats and a Democrat moving into the White House.
"If you're a Republican and a freshman member, you basically have no power at all," said Richard Semiatin, a government professor at American University in Washington, D.C.
That doesn't worry Posey or Rooney.
Posey started his Florida legislative career in 1992 in the same position.
"I don't call myself a maverick, but I've got a good, solid track record of working with both sides," said Posey, who is replacing Dave Weldon, a Republican who has been in the House since 1994.
Posey said he and Weldon, a longtime friend, talked for several hours after the Nov. 4 election, but Posey revealed few details about the discussion, which did include talk of potential committee assignments.
Posey listed the economy and addressing the problems on Wall Street as top priorities.
Posey said he wants to see more accountability and transparency in government spending. He also wants to see Congress work toward balancing the budget.
Rooney, a former Army JAG officer who taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, said he doesn't plan to sacrifice his conservative values, but he also doesn't intend to head to Washington with an "us against them" mind-set.
"I think this is an exciting time in this country — the people voted for change. Even though I'm in the minority, I'm very excited about working across party lines," he said. "There is a reason why the Congress' approval rating is below 20 percent, and I think a lot of it has to do with the partisan nature and not getting anything done."
Part of the reason he believes he can work across party lines is that he already has a friend in Congress, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., who was a West Point instructor with Rooney before he ran for Congress in 2006.
"There are a lot of times while running for Congress where it's hard on you personally and on your family," Rooney said. "The fact that Patrick went through this two years before I did, it made life easier knowing that if he could do it, I could do it."
The biggest learning curve will be the system.
"What a freshman member will learn when they get up here is, 'Oh, my God. I've got so much to learn.' It's not just the policy stuff; it's the process," Semiatin said.
That's not to say they will be the least effective members, he said. Congressional leaders recognize freshmen lawmakers are vulnerable and will make concerted efforts to help them push pet projects.
"They know that bringing home projects and grants is more critical than it is for veterans very ensconced in their district," Semiatin said.
Even though he will be in the minority, Rooney said he intends to work as hard as previous district representatives. He also plans to seek appointments to House committees on armed services, energy and agriculture. With the district cutting across the central part of the state, the sitting and two prior congressmen representing the district all have sat on the agriculture committee.
"I'm not a farmer, but I definitely feel an obligation to the district. It's so agriculture that it should have representation," Rooney said.
November 17, 2008
The Treasure Coast's new congressmen bring differing backgrounds with them to Washington, D.C.
One is a veteran state and municipal lawmaker who worked at the Kennedy Space Center during the Apollo era. The other is a first-time politician with a background in law, the military and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But both will be stepping into offices on the side of the aisle where they will have to work with and act as a check-and-balance to the majority party.
Republicans Bill Posey, 61, of Rockledge and Tom Rooney, 37, of Tequesta are to be the new faces of the Treasure Coast in Congress.
Posey's district covers all of Indian River County. Rooney's district has the bulk of the populated portions of Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Both are heading to Washington with Congress dominated by Democrats and a Democrat moving into the White House.
"If you're a Republican and a freshman member, you basically have no power at all," said Richard Semiatin, a government professor at American University in Washington, D.C.
That doesn't worry Posey or Rooney.
Posey started his Florida legislative career in 1992 in the same position.
"I don't call myself a maverick, but I've got a good, solid track record of working with both sides," said Posey, who is replacing Dave Weldon, a Republican who has been in the House since 1994.
Posey said he and Weldon, a longtime friend, talked for several hours after the Nov. 4 election, but Posey revealed few details about the discussion, which did include talk of potential committee assignments.
Posey listed the economy and addressing the problems on Wall Street as top priorities.
Posey said he wants to see more accountability and transparency in government spending. He also wants to see Congress work toward balancing the budget.
Rooney, a former Army JAG officer who taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, said he doesn't plan to sacrifice his conservative values, but he also doesn't intend to head to Washington with an "us against them" mind-set.
"I think this is an exciting time in this country — the people voted for change. Even though I'm in the minority, I'm very excited about working across party lines," he said. "There is a reason why the Congress' approval rating is below 20 percent, and I think a lot of it has to do with the partisan nature and not getting anything done."
Part of the reason he believes he can work across party lines is that he already has a friend in Congress, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., who was a West Point instructor with Rooney before he ran for Congress in 2006.
"There are a lot of times while running for Congress where it's hard on you personally and on your family," Rooney said. "The fact that Patrick went through this two years before I did, it made life easier knowing that if he could do it, I could do it."
The biggest learning curve will be the system.
"What a freshman member will learn when they get up here is, 'Oh, my God. I've got so much to learn.' It's not just the policy stuff; it's the process," Semiatin said.
That's not to say they will be the least effective members, he said. Congressional leaders recognize freshmen lawmakers are vulnerable and will make concerted efforts to help them push pet projects.
"They know that bringing home projects and grants is more critical than it is for veterans very ensconced in their district," Semiatin said.
Even though he will be in the minority, Rooney said he intends to work as hard as previous district representatives. He also plans to seek appointments to House committees on armed services, energy and agriculture. With the district cutting across the central part of the state, the sitting and two prior congressmen representing the district all have sat on the agriculture committee.
"I'm not a farmer, but I definitely feel an obligation to the district. It's so agriculture that it should have representation," Rooney said.
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