Dem gains, new GOP delegates lessen Central Florida’s clout in Legislature

TALLAHASSEE – When the Legislature convenes in March, Central Florida will send a delegation with more Democrats and rookie Republican members, meaning the region could lack clout.

Still, there are some lawmakers from the Orlando area that will fill key spots in the GOP-led Legislature, in charge of important committees that will deal with hot-button issues next year.

Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, will chair the Judiciary Committee, a panel that in recent years has been the scene for heated debates on gun bills, changes to the stand your ground law, abortion measures and criminal justice reforms.

“I look forward to the opportunity of a debate that maintains civility but at the same time I know that people will speak with passion and that’s okay as long as they remain civil,” said Simmons, anticipating the bills he’ll preside over next year.

Simmons also is a top ally of Senate President Bill Galvano, RBradenton, and will likely be a part of the end of the horse-trading with the House that typically occurs at the end of the legislative session.

In the House, Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, will chair the Education Committee, a panel that has seen extensive debates between school choice advocates and public school supporters in previous years. it is poised to revisit those fights again next year.

House Speaker Jose Oliva, RMiami, is an avid backer of school choice and Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis made expanding voucher programs and supporting charter schools a key plank of his education platform.

But for the most part, the Orlando delegation will be made up of Democrats who often get their bills ignored and freshmen Republicans whose priorities often lose out to members with more seniority.

And in the reshuffling of committee memberships, the Central Florida delegation lost important posts. Sen. Randolph Bracy, DOrlando, lost his chairmanship of the Criminal Justice committee, and Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, was term-limited, so he’ll no longer chair the House’s health care panel.

Anna Eskamani, a newly elected Orlando Democrat, said she wants “to set a tone of good intentions with all my colleagues” but added that she’s “ready to fight back when necessary and never be timid about that.”

A former Planned Parenthood activist, Eskamani said she’s already set to work drafting bills to expand health care access, boost