Florida Government and Politics Weekly Update

Politics: U.S. Senator Martinez Will Not Run in 2010
Republican U.S. Senator Mel Martinez announced on December 2, 2008 that he would not seek reelection in 2010. The prospect of an open Senate seat has touched off a scramble that is likely to impact both the state and the national levels. When former Republican Governor Jeb Bush was asked whether he would run for the open seat, he said, “I am considering it.” Current Governor Charlie Crist, whose term ends in 2010, is likely to run for reelection rather than seek a Senate seat, according to several of the governor’s political confidants.

Later in the week, Democratic state Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Alex Sink, who also is up for reelection in 2010, responded to a reporter’s question about whether she was “seriously considering” a Senate race by saying, “Of course. Shouldn’t I?”

It is widely acknowledged that if former Governor Bush enters the race, he is unlikely to have any serious primary opposition. Two potential candidates, former state House of Representatives Speaker Marco Rubio (R-West Miami) and U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (R-14^th Congressional District), have urged the former governor to run. In the event that Mr. Bush does not run, other potential Republican candidates include State Attorney General Bill McCollum, former House Speaker Allan Bense (R-Panama City), and Senate President Jeffrey Atwater (R-North Palm Beach).

The possible presence of CFO Sink in the race may have a similar impact among Democrats. Other potential candidates include U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd (D-2^nd Congressional District), Ron Klein (D-22^nd Congressional District), and Kendrick Meek (D-17^th Congressional District), state Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach), and former state Senator Rod Smith (D-Alachua).

Economy: Mortgage Lenders Agree to Voluntary Moratorium on Home Mortgage Foreclosures
On December 1, 2008, Governor Crist announced that mortgage lenders had agreed to a voluntary 45-day moratorium on the filing of new foreclosure petitions and the scheduling of foreclosure sales. The moratorium applies only to primary residences (homestead property). At the press conference announcing the moratorium, Governor Crist was joined by representatives of the Florida Bankers Association, the Florida Credit Union League, and several financial institutions.

The governor also announced that the state has submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development a plan to distribute $91.1 million in federal funds to rural and smaller urban communities to enable local governments to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes.

Judiciary: Governor Rejects Slate of Fifth District Court of Appeal Nominees
Governor Crist has notified the Fifth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission that, in the interest of judicial diversity, he is rejecting their slate of six nominees for a vacancy on the appellate court. In a December 1, 2008 letter rejecting the all-white slate, the governor noted that he had requested the commission to give due consideration to diversity in the nominating process, and that at least three well-qualified African-Americans had applied for the vacancy. On December 4, 2008, after reviewing the governor’s letter, commission Chairman James Fallace of Melbourne notified the governor that after further deliberation, the commission had decided to resubmit the same slate of six nominees. The commission’s response to the governor stated, “It is the firm opinion and belief of our Commission that the above-named list of nominees … consists of the most qualified applications for nomination and your consideration for the current vacancy.”

Environment: Florida Moves Toward Adoption of California’s Vehicle Emission Standards
On December 2, 2008, at the urging of Governor Crist and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael W. Sole, the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission voted to adopt California’s emission standards and greenhouse-gas standards for automobiles, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles. The new standards face two additional hurdles. In order for the standards to take effect, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must grant a waiver for California’s standards, and the Florida legislation must ratify the standards. If approved, the new standards would first apply to the 2013 model year.

Legislature: Senate Committees Appointed
On December 3, 2008, Senate President Jeffrey Atwater announced the members and chairs of Senate committees. The Senate committee structure includes both standing committees, which conduct the initial review of legislation, and policy and steering committees, which are responsible determining which legislation reaches the Senate floor. The chairs of the policy and steering committees are:

• Energy, Environment, and Land Use: Sen. James E. “Jim” King, Jr. (R-Jacksonville)
• Commerce and Industry: Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach)
• Social Responsibility: Sen. Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie)
• Governmental Operations: Sen. Mike Haridopolos (R-Melbourne)
• Ways and Means: Sen. JD Alexander (R-Winter Haven)
• Rules: Sen. J. Alex Villalobos (R-Miami)

Senate President Atwater also announced that Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R-Miami) would serve as majority leader.

In addition, on December 2, 2008, Senate President Atwater announced the creation of the Select Committee on Florida’s Economy. The Select Committee, which will be chaired by Sen. Gaetz, has been given broad jurisdiction. Its objectives include identifying and removing barriers to economic recovery; finding and reducing redundant, overlapping, or nonessential regulatory activities; developing policies and incentives to encourage business development and make Florida more competitive; and accelerating public and private projects and programs that will produce or increase economic activity.

House of Representatives Speaker Ray Sansom (R-Fort Walton Beach) is expected to make House committee appointments this week.

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