TH E LORIDA ENATE F S2010-2012 MIKE HARIDOPOLOS PRESIDENT OF T H E SENATE This Florida Senate Handbook is published by the Secretary of the Senate. It is distributed free of charge to Capitol visitors and other inter- ested Floridians to enhance their knowledge and understanding of Florida’s government, and particularly, the Florida Senate. R. Philip Twogood Secretary of the Senate Visit the Florida Senate’s homepage: http://www.flsenate.gov MESSAGE FRO M T H E PRESIDENT MIKE HARIDOPOLOS President of the Senate elcome to your Florida Senate – a legislative institution rich in tradition, known for its commitment to deliberation and fairness. I invite every Florida citizen to visit the Senate chamber and walk the halls of the Capitol, which are lined with photographs recording the history that has shaped this great state. Your Florida Senate is composed of forty individuals from every walk of life. They are individuals who understand the great responsibility they have to serve Florida’s citizens. Coming from varied backgrounds and experiences, they gather on the Sen- ate floor with a deep sense of respect as equals. This dedicated group of diverse men and women is responsible for shaping public policy that impacts the future of all Floridians. It is with great pride and honor that I will lead this diligent group of Senators as we work together to take on the pressing issues that face us this legislative session. We are committed to maintaining a balanced budget that prioritizes needs over wants without increasing taxes on Floridians. I am confident that alongside the many leg- islative decisions we will have to make throughout the session, those that lie within education, health care, and public safety will remain our priority. I strongly encourage you to become involved in your state government. Your part in the legislative process is crucial to our success. Your input is critical in making the tough decisions we are currently facing. This year, we have placed an unprec- edented emphasis on public opinion and transparency in the legislative process, and I welcome your solutions as we address these important state issues. We can work together to make sure that the State of Florida will prosper. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, Mike Haridopolos 1 The 2010-2012 Senate membership in- cludes 27 men and 13 women. There THE FLORIDA SENA T E are 28 Republicans and 12 Demo- crats. The average Senator is about 57 hen the first Senate was convened on January 7, 1839 — six years old, is married, and has children. years before Florida became a state — no business could be Thirty-three Senators have college transacted because only seven of the sixteen Senators were present. degrees, and 14 held other non-legislative There was no quorum of Senators for three of the first four days, and it public offices before they were elected to the Senate. Thirty-one Sena- was not until the fifth day of the first session that Territorial Governor tors served in the House of Representatives prior to their election to the Richard Keith Call addressed the Senate and the House of Representa- Senate. The Senate is presided over by a tives in joint session. President elected by the members of the Senate. Also elected is the President Since the beginning days, the Senate has evolved into a highly organized, Pro Tempore. The President for the smoothly functioning legislative body that meets annually to conduct the 2010-2012 term is Senator Mike Hari- people’s business. The year-round professional staff conducts vital re- dopolos from Melbourne. The President search and prepares for the legislative sessions. Pro Tempore is Senator Mike Bennett from Bradenton. The Florida Senate today has 40 members, each elected from a Additional information on these officers and the other members of the single-member district and each Senate is contained on the following pages of this handbook. The hand- representing approximately book also further outlines and describes the Senate, its operations, 450,000 Florida citizens. Each and its relationship to the House of Representatives and the other two Senator is elected for a four-year branches of Florida government. staggered term. He or she may be elected for more than one term, but may not seek reelection if he or she has served for eight con- secutive years (see Article VI, Section 4, State Constitution). The Constitution of the State of Florida specifies that Senators must be at least 21 years of age, must be registered voters, must be residents of the district from which they are elected, and must have resided in Florida for two years prior to their election. While members of the other branches of government work full time in public service, the Legislature maintains its identity as the “citizen” branch. Many of the Senators work in a business or profession when they are not carrying out their legislative duties. Their occupations include law, medicine, banking, business, education, agriculture, and industry. “Once a Senator, always a Senator” is a catchy phrase of good fellowship that conveys something of the philosophy of the Senate. 2 3 PRESIDENT OF THE PRESIDENT FLORIDA SENATE PRO TE mp ORE The Senate President is a constitutional officer who leads the Florida Senate The role of the President Pro Tempore is defined by the President and the for a two-year term. The President, who is elected by members of the Senate, Senate Rules. Additionally, the President Pro Tempore may preside over ses- manages the operations of the Senate and presides over its sessions. The sions during the absence of the President. President’s many duties include: selecting a Majority Leader, appointing Senators to standing Senate committees, appointing committee chairs, and appointing citizens to a variety of boards and commissions. MIKE HARIDO P OLOS MICHAEL S. “MIKE ” BENNETT Republican, District 26 Republican, District 21 College Professor; Author BORN March 15, 1970, in Huntington, Electrical Contractor BORN January 1, 1945, in Brainerd, Min- New York. Moved to Florida in 1990 EDUCATION Stetson Uni- nesota. Moved to Florida in 1955 EDUCATION Drake University: versity: B.A., 1992; University of Arkansas: M.A., 1993 SPOUSE B.A., 1975; M.B.A., 1976 SPOUSE Diane M. "Dee" Bennett of Des Stephanie Haridopolos, M.D., of Ft. Lauderdale CHILDREN Alexis, Moines, Iowa LEGISLATIVE SERVICE Elected to the Senate in Hayden, Reagan LEGISLATIVE SERVICE Elected to the Senate 2002, reelected subsequently; President Pro Tempore: 2010-2012; March 25, 2003, reelected subsequently; Senate President: 2010- House of Representatives: 2000-2002 MILITARY SERVICE U.S. 2012; Majority Whip: 2006-2008; House of Representatives: 2000- Navy, 1963-1967, 4 tours, Vietnam RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION 2003 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION Baptist RECREATION Golf, Baptist RECREATION Fishing, golfing EMAIL bennett.mike.web@ NASCAR EMAIL [email protected] flsenate.gov 4 5 ME mb ERS OF IZ B ET H ENACQUISTO T H E FLORIDA SENATE L B Republican, District 27 Realtor; Marketing and Special Events JD ALEXANDER Consultant BORN December 23, 1967, in Republican, District 17 Rockville Centre, New York. Moved to Flor- ida in 1978 EDUCATION Palm Beach At- Citrus Grower BORN July 16, 1959, in lantic University: B.A. CHILDREN Austin, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Moved to Gabriella, A.J. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE Florida in 1961 EDUCATION University of Elected to the Senate in 2010 RELIGIOUS Florida: B.S., Agriculture, 1981 SPOUSE AFFILIATION Catholic RECREATION Cindy Monroe of Augusta, Georgia CHIL- Spending time with family, reading, golfing, gardening EMAIL DREN Britton, Keaton LEGISLATIVE [email protected] SERVICE Elected to the Senate in 2002, reelected subsequently, Majority (Republi- can) Whip: 2004-2006; House of Represen- tatives: 1998-2002 HISTORICAL Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., grandfather, Florida House of Representatives, 1956-1963, Senate 1965-1968 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION Presbyterian RECREATION Baseball, fishing, reading EMAIL [email protected] TH AD ALT M AN ELLYN SETNOR BOGDANOFF Republican, District 24 Republican, District 25 Contractor; Consultant BORN September 8, 1955, in Macon, Georgia. Moved to Flor- Attorney BORN October 17, in North Mi- ida in 1957 EDUCATION Brevard Commu- ami EDUCATION University of Florida: nity College: A.A.; University of Houston; B.S., Insurance Risk Management, 1980; Rollins College: B.S. SPOUSE Mary Pat Nova Southeastern University: J.D., Altman of Rockledge CHILDREN Hunter, 2003 SPOUSE Steve Bogdanoff CHIL- McKenzie, Sullivan LEGISLATIVE SER- DREN Matthew, Alec, Danna LEGIS- VICE Elected to the Senate in 2008, re- LATIVE SERVICE Elected to the Sen- elected subsequently; House of Representa- ate in 2010; House of Representatives: tives: March 25, 2003-2008 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION Christian 2004-2010; House Majority Whip: 2006-2008 RELIGIOUS RECREATION Biking, family activities, hiking, hunting EMAIL AFFILIATION Jewish RECREATION Tennis, yoga, golfing EMAIL [email protected] [email protected] 6 7 OSCAR BRAYNON II CH ARLES S. “CH ARLIE ” DEAN , SR. Democrat, District 33 Republican, District 3 Consultant BORN February 1, 1977, Sheriff (retired); Cattleman; Consultant in Corpus Christi, Texas EDUCATION BORN May 31, 1939, in Jacksonville Florida State University, B.S., Political EDUCATION Central Florida Community Science, 2000 SPOUSE Melissa of Miami College: A.A., 1962; Florida State Univer- CHILD Oscar Braynon III LEGISLATIVE sity: B.S., Criminology-Police Administra- SERVICE Elected to the Senate, March tion, 1963; Rollins College: M.S., Crimi- 1, 2011; House of Representatives: 2008- nal Justice, 1976 SPOUSE Judy Baxter 2011 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION Episco- of Columbia, Tennessee CHILDREN pal Recreation basketball, soccer EMAIL braynon.oscar.web@ Shannon, Charles S., Jr. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE Elected to the flsenate.gov Senate, June 26, 2007, reelected subsequently; Majority (Repub- lican) Whip: 2008-2010; House of Representatives: 2002-2007 Military Service U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, 5 1/2 years HISTORICAL Father, Charles S.