“I’d sure like to see it become NEWSMAKERS more viable for farmers. I NEW YORK SENATOR WILLIAM LARKIN (R) RETIRED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR’S SESSION think it’s something that we AFTER NEARLY FOUR DECADES of service, which began in 1978. He is 90 years old, but wasn’t the need to have a discussion only nonagenarian serving in a state legislature. West Virginia Representative Frank Deem (R) is also 90; Wisconsin Senator Fred Risser (D) is 91; New Hampshire Representative Mary Griffin is 92; and New with the Department of Mexico Senator John Pinto (D) is the oldest, at 93. Agriculture about.”

LARKIN DEEM RISSER GRIFFIN PINTO Washington Senator Judy Warnick (R) on the state’s hemp production, from the Capital Press.

WARNICK

“I think probably that most states are going to make money off of Husker football, but Nebraska SCHUMACHER won’t be.”

Nebraska Senator Paul Schumacher (R) on the state’s decision to not allow illegal sports betting, in the Omaha World Herald.

“I am ready to lead with the training of an engineer, the heart and passion of RIVAS an educator and the courage and instinct of a public servant.”

California Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D) after winning a special election in June to replace a former member accused of sexual misconduct, in the Los Angeles Times.

FLOYD

LEVINE

SENATOR KAY FLOYD (D) IS THE FIRST WOMAN IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY TO LEAD A SENATE CAUCUS. First elected to the Senate in 2014, Floyd will serve as the minority leader for the next KEN LEVINE IS RETIRING AS DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS session. Although she is running for re-election this fall, she will run SUNSET ADVISORY COMMISSION after 37 years with the unopposed for the District 46 seat. Legislature. An expert on legislative oversight, Levine has evaluated almost every area of state government. He chaired NCSL’s National Legislative Program Evaluation Society and served on the Executive Committee, the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee and the Legislative Effectiveness Committee. In 2017, he received NCSL’s Legislative Staff Achievement Award.

JULY/AUGUST 2018 58 STATE LEGISLATURES NEWSMAKERS

FISCHBACH “We need to change our culture and adapt to changing times when ‘no means no’ doesn’t work.”

Michigan Senator Curtis Hertel (D) on his proposed bill to mandate lessons on affirmative consent, or “yes means yes” PRESIDENT policy, in Michigan public schools to combat sexual abuse, in the MICHELLE FISCHBACH (R) HAS Detroit Free Press. HERTEL RESIGNED TO TAKE THE OATH AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. First elected to the Senate in 1996, she became the SENATE REPUBLICANS first woman in state history to serve SELECTED RODRIC BRAY (R) AS THE as the chamber’s president in 2011. CHAMBER’S NEW PRESIDENT PRO Hers will be the only Senate seat up for TEMPORE. Bray will replace the current election in November, along with the pro tem, David Long, who is retiring from governor’s seat and the entire House. the legislature. “I am delighted to see the selection of Senator Rod Bray as the pro

tem-elect,” Long said. “Rod is a man of the BRAY highest integrity and character, and I believe he is more than ready to take the reins.”

JIM TRACY IS RETIRING AFTER 45 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. He began his career at the General Assembly in 1973 as a supply room clerk in the Office of Legislative Management. He rose through the ranks and for 35 years was the office’s personnel manager, a role that established him and his legislature as national leaders in legislative administration. He became the agency’s executive director in 2012.

“I am saddened that the world has changed and that these types of safety precautions have become necessary. BERGER I expect our staff will continue to make every effort to ensure the Legislative Building is accessible and welcoming to the public.”

North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R) on the addition of GILLAM metal detectors, bag scanners and other measures as part of a $1.3 million security upgrade, from The-Dispatch.com. SENATOR KAY FLOYD (D) IS THE FIRST WOMAN IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY TO LEAD A SENATE CAUCUS. First elected to the Senate in 2014, Floyd will serve as the minority leader for the next KEN LEVINE IS RETIRING AS DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS session. Although she is running for re-election this fall, she will run SUNSET ADVISORY COMMISSION after 37 years with the Legislature. An expert on legislative oversight, Levine has unopposed for the District 46 seat. ARKANSAS SPEAKER JEREMY GILLAM (R) NEGRON GALVANO evaluated almost every area of state government. He chaired PRESIDENT JOE NEGRON (R) WILL IS RESIGNING TO BECOME THE DIRECTOR NCSL’s National Legislative Program Evaluation Society and RESIGN IN NOVEMBER WHEN HIS LEADERSHIP TERM OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS and external served on the Executive Committee, the Legislative Staff ENDS, rather than serve out the remaining two years of his relations at the University of Central Arkansas. Coordinating Committee and the Legislative Effectiveness term as senator. He said he wants to honor the state’s limit Gillam, first elected to the House in 2010, Committee. In 2017, he received NCSL’s Legislative Staff of two consecutive four-year terms. The Florida Senate is completing his second term as speaker. Achievement Award. Republican Caucus unanimously selected Bill Galvano (R) as Representative Matthew Shepherd (R) was the Senate president-designate for the 2018-20 term. elected speaker-designate in March.

STATE LEGISLATURES 59 JULY/AUGUST 2018