Everyone’s voice can make a difference
For most Central Floridians, the Legislature feels like it’s far removed, both in miles and in priorities. The annual 60-day session starts Tuesday, but many of the stories coming out of Tallahassee seem to have little bearing on their daily lives. Even when they hear something they appreciate — or, as is more common, something that riles them up — they may feel as though they have no voice.
But that’s not the case. In fact, average citizens often make a big impact — because they are not paid to contact lawmakers or speak out on behalf of special-interest groups, and because local lawmakers know that at election time, their seats might be won or lost by a handful of votes.
Touching base with their hometown constituents gives lawmakers perspective on the issues that make a real difference in Floridians’ daily lives. How good are our schools? How strong is Florida’s economy? How safe do their constituents feel? What do they want their elected officials to spend money on?
At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that with such a short session, things will be moving fast. Most bills that will be considered have already been filed, so residents should focus their efforts on stopping or improving bills they don’t like. The most significant communications from constituents will revolve around the state’s budget: DeSantis has proposed a $115 billion spending plan, but lawmakers could spend more if they wanted to — or less.
And while the GOP’s super-majority in both House and Senate will likely grease the skids for the governor’s priorities, the direct, heartfelt testimony of people who will have to live by the new laws can make a real impression on lawmakers — especially if they make the trek to Tallahassee to tell their stories, says veteran state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando. But emails and phone calls also make a big difference.
Rep. Doug Bankson, R-Apopka, agrees — simply observing the process from the gallery can be an exciting and educational experience, he says. He cautions that lawmakers might be too rushed for extensive personal meetings once the session starts, but they are definitely going to know if their constituents took time to reach out.
That sounds like sound advice to us. We have a few more tips for Floridians who may be moved, for the first time, to reach out to their lawmakers.
■ Spend time on the House (www.myfloridahouse.gov) and Senate (www.flsenate. gov) websites. Between the two sites, there’s
a wealth of information: Thorough, understandable explanations of how bills work their way through the process; calendars of committee hearings and floor sessions; the full text of bills being considered and plain-language analyses from professional staff. There’s even a bill tracker that will send you alerts when legislation you care about is being heard. You can also watch live and archived video of committee hearings and floor sessions at You can also watch live and archived video of committee hearings and floor sessions at www.thefloridachannel.com.
■ You can find contact information for local legislators on our website; we’ve added Volusia and Brevard delegations.
■ Keep communications brief and pointed, and tell lawmakers what you want them to do. If you have a personal story to tell, pare out extraneous details. Lawmakers care what you have to say, but you’ll make the most impact if you don’t expect them to wade through a fivepage email. Be sure to include your contact information.
■ Reach out to your lawmakers’ district staff. They can often help you with information about the topic you want to address and help you follow legislation through the process.
■ Do your research. Be wary about messages on social media, particularly this year; we’ve already seen many posts that flat-out misrepresent what a particular piece of legislation does. The Sentinel will do its best to help you cut through the noise; there are also organizations that Floridians have learned to trust — such as the League of Women Voters, AARP, Florida TaxWatch and the Florida Policy Institute.
Most of all, however, is this: Don’t be afraid to speak up. This session will be highdrama, and much of it will involve topics that few people cared about until they were dragged into the headlines. But there are also bills and spending priorities that could significantly impact quality of life for many Floridians.
We know, from polls, letters to the editor and other expressions of Florida’s political mood, that many of our residents are fed up with the ultra-partisan atmosphere that has seized Tallahassee (even as they disagree about whether Republicans or Democrats are the worst offenders). This is your chance to be the voice of sanity, and this year more than most, it matters.