Legislators can learn from history and from former legislators
Many ofmy columns include blunt assessments of bills and budgets coming out of Tallahassee. So itwas with some trepidation that I decided to attend the 2016 Legislative Reunion. And I’m glad I did.
My former colleagues— currently serving in the Legislature— werewarm andwelcoming despitemy sometimes-tough rebukes of what is happening in our state’s capital.
Former representatives and senators came fromall over the state. Many of them served in the last two decades, but some who attended served in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. What a treasure trove of legislative experience, institutional knowledge, folklore, storytelling and big personalities.
Itwas fascinating to hear members who came before me tell stories of howthings were done “back in the day.” Itwas inspiring to hear howcollegial legislatorswere to each other even during heated battles. The camaraderie they enjoyed seems to be missing in today’s political climate.
Iwandered into some conversations where former legislators lamented the lack of civility, respect and compromise— attributes thatwere once highly valued. Former legislators, whose names I had heard and whose reputationswere respected, shook their heads in disappointment over the changes in the legislative process and demeanor.
They confirmed something I learned long ago throughmy16 years in the Florida Legislature— many issues are recycled. They keep resurfacing. We put something in lawand years later another legislator changes it or undoes it completely. Someone else comes along thinking he has a novel idea when he’s really just repeating the cycle.
Of course, with term limits, the changes come more frequently.
Legislators aren’t around to defend their legislation, and there’s a lack of institutional knowledge. Sometimes there’s a blatant lack of respect for the research and hardwork put into the original legislative effort. It can take years and repeated efforts to finally pass a bill with major policy changes. Unfortunately, after the bill’s sponsor leaves the Legislature, it becomes fair game.
Interestingly, while many of the old-timers — myself included— agreed thingswere better in the old days, therewere differing opinions on why.
Some blamed term limits. Others thought banning lobbyists from buying legislators a drink, a cup of coffee or a lunchwas meaningless windowdressing. While it’s easy to dismiss these as self-serving opinions, they do have a point.
Legislators used to socialize more when group eventswere organized. We got to know, respect and trust each other, which led to productiveworking relationships.
The lack of camaraderie hinders efforts to work out complex or contentious issues. It also lessens the likelihood that leadership races to select future speakers of theHouse and Senate presidents will be civil. Nothing destroys relationships within a party as much as divisive and prolonged leadership battles.
And it’s ridiculous to believe a legislator’s votewould be affected if a lobbyist buys him a cup of coffee— which is forbidden under the lobbyist gift ban— but that itwouldn’t be influenced if the same lobbyist gave a $25,000 check to his political committee— which is legal.
Wouldn’t it make more sense if itwere the otherway around?
Reasonable expenditures— say under $25 — with proper public disclosure makes more sense.
The obscene amount of money flowing into campaigns and political committees is a relatively new phenomenon aswell. Legislators used to raise money for their political party— not their political committee— and in smaller amounts.
Abolishing political committees for legislators and prohibiting lobbyists fromgiving to leadership raceswould be good steps to curb big money influence in the political process. Many voters have rightfully come to view the current system as pay to play. Itwasn’t always thatway. When first elected to the FloridaHouse in 1996, Iwas one of five Republican freshmen needed to flip theHouse to Republican control with a 61-59 majority. Term limitswere about to take effect and some of the party elders feared the new memberswouldn’t be ready to lead.
Several former legislators with leadership roles took the five of us under their wings and shared their experiences with us sowe could learn fromtheir mistakes and successes. I found that year of tutoring to be invaluable.
The legislative reunion reminded mewe have a tremendous resource to tap into— the statesmen and policy experts that served before us.
Paula Dockery is a syndicated columnistwho served in the Florida Legislature for 16 years as a Republican fromLakeland. She can be reached at pbdockery@gmail.com.