Florida House committee assignments are out and some of Orange County’s newest legislators were dispensed to key committees. Rep. Linda Stewart, D-47, has a few assignments that she is sure to be pleased with.
Stewart lands on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee as well as the Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee. Stewart has always been an advocate for clean energy and green jobs, so her appointment to a committee regarding agriculture and natural resources is a win for environmentalists across the state.
Next up is Rep. Joe Saunders, D-49, or the “UCF District.” Saunders will sit with House Minority leader Rep. Perry Thurston on the Higher Education and Workforce Subcommittee.
This looks to be a great fit for Saunders, who campaigned heavily on making sure that education is properly funded in Florida.
Representative Bruce Antone, D-46, talked of economic development and job growth while on the campaign trail in 2012, and his assignment represents a chance for him to create new economic opportunities for his district.
Antone will sit on the Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee with newly elected Rep. Karen Castor Dental, D-30. They are just two of five Democrats on this committee with eight Republicans.
These newly elected lawmakers will have a lot to deal with come March when session officially gets under way. Committee assignments give a peek into what direction House Speaker Will Weatherford wants to steer the House.
Last week, Weatherford spoke greatly of reaching across the aisle and creating a bi-partisan tone for Tallahassee. When education funding and school choice re-appears, we will see just how willing Mr. Weatherford is to strike an even tenor.
For a full list of House committee assignments, click here.
Rep. Karen Castor Dental, D-30: Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee
Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee
Education Appropriations Subcommittee
K-12 Subcommittee
Rep. Randolph Bracy, D-45: Choice and Innovation Subcommittee
Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Higher Education and Workforce Subcommittee
K-12 Subcommittee
Local and Federal Affairs Committee
Rep. Bruce Antone, D-46: Education Development and Tourism Subcommittee
Rulemaking Oversight and Repeal Subcommittee
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee
Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee
Rep. Linda Stewart, D-47: Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee
Regulatory Affairs Committee
Select Committee on Claims Bills
State Affairs Committee
Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee
Rep. Victor Torres Jr., D-48: Education Committee
Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
Rulemaking Oversight and Repeal Subcommittee
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee
Rep. Joe Saunders, D-49: Choice and Innovation Subcommittee
Education Committee
Healthy Quality Subcommittee
Higher Education and Workforce Subcommittee
