Civility called for at swearing-in ceremony

Challenges, conflict loom for Legislature

TALLAHASSEE – Florida legislative leaders called for civility and cooperation as the new Legislature was officially sworn in Tuesday, eager to put the divisive election and recount season behind them.

But there were also signs that the major parties, the House, the Senate and the incoming Ron DeSantis administration could be poised to clash with each other next year when they get down to the reality of governing.

“It has been a long election cycle, vigorously fought, and the voters have spoken,” said Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. “But now it is time to move forward united in the purpose of serving, to the absolute best of our ability, the people of Florida.”

Governor-elect DeSantis and the Cabinet won’t take office and be sworn in until Jan. 8, but the legislative ceremony Tuesday showed little has changed in the political calculus in Tallahassee following the bitter election season.

Democrats gained a handful of seats in the House and one seat in the Senate, but Republicans remain in control of both chambers. Democrat Nikki Fried also picked up the agriculture commissioner seat on the Cabinet but is outnumbered 3 to 1 by the GOP on that panel.

That means Galvano and his counterpart, House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami, should be able to continue the recipe that Republicans have used to govern the state since 1998 – tax cuts, decreasing regulations