For Scores of
Lawmakers, Term Limits Means Last Session
Mar 4, 2000 - 11:33 AM
By David Royse
Associated Press Writer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Some lawmakers
have had nearly two decades, a few even longer, to put
their stamp on Florida. For those and many others, the
next two months is their final shot.
Term limits, which take effect this
year, are forcing out nearly half of the House members
and more than a quarter of the Senate.
"It's sort of like our last
chance," said Senate President Toni Jennings, who
is out after 20 years in that chamber and four in the
House. "When it's your last year it's 'Katie, bar
the door.'"
Sixty-three of the Legislature's 160
members can't seek re-election. For most, the session
that starts March 7 is their last chance to bring home
money for roads, special school programs and the like.
"We may see a little more
enthusiasm for projects," said Jennings, R-Orlando.
Some legislators are hoping to
continue their lawmaking careers. Many House members are
already running for Senate seats opened by term limits.
Jennings is running for insurance commissioner and
treasurer.
Few would admit it, but for some it
will be a final chance to audition for their next job.
"It's the world's biggest job
fair up here," said Rep. Bob Henriquez, who is
relatively new and not leaving yet. He said lots of
lawmakers may fight for some laws to angle for jobs
after their lawmaking careers end.
"A lot of folks will be very
careful not to make people angry," said Henriquez,
D-Tampa, noting that people who irk Gov. Jeb Bush could
probably forget about a job in the Bush administration,
or in a George W. Bush White House.
The impact may be greater, however, in
future sessions.
Some legislators fear that with less
experience on issues that repeatedly come before them,
staff and lobbyists will gain more power in the
lawmaking process.
"When you get in the issues of
the budget, when you get in the issues of complex things
like regulation of insurance and banking ... you need a
lot of expertise," said House Speaker John
Thrasher. "And these new folks coming in are going
to have to rely on the staff to some extent."
Thrasher, R-Orange Park, is returning
to his law practice after eight years in the House.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz,
D-Davie, who was on a lawmaker's staff before getting
elected to the Legislature, agreed.
"Even knowing the process, it
still takes several years to establish expertise in a
certain issue," she said. "By the time you
establish that expertise, it's time to go."
Max Linn, president of Florida
Citizens for Term Limits, said throwing lawmakers out
will do just the opposite. Right now lobbyists only have
to cozy up to a few "power brokers" with
seniority, he said. That should change.
"What we want out of Tallahassee
is institutional knowledge," Linn said. "We
want fresh new ideas and fresh people in office."
Floridians said that clearly when 77
percent voted for the "Eight is Enough"
amendment to the Florida Constitution in 1992, but this
year's election is the first affected by term limits.
Term limit opponents challenged them
in the state Supreme Court, which unanimously upheld
them last year. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1995 declared
such limits on congressional candidates invalid.
This also will be the first year
lawmakers in Arizona are forced out by term limits.
About 20 other states have term limits laws for their
state lawmakers, most put into effect after citizens had
petition drives and then voted them into law in
referenda.
In Florida, advocates of some issues
are concerned about losing their champions.
Dorene Barker, who works on poverty
issues with a group called Florida Legal Services, said
it takes years to establish credibility with lawmakers.
Barker has worked to cap title loan
interest rates with the help of Rep. Bill Sublette,
R-Orlando. This is his last year.
Lawmakers who have blocked her
legislation also will face term limits.
One who has in past years been a
barrier on the title loan fight is Sen. W.D. Childers,
who, after 30 years in the Senate, is the dean of the
Legislature.
The Pensacola Republican initially was
fighting to keep his seat, considering a write-in
candidacy - maybe even moving to another county to stay
in the Legislature. But Childers decided to run for
Escambia County commissioner and possibly seek election
to the Senate again down the road.
He said several longtime lawmakers
will continue to seek ways to stay.
"They'll try it. They'll be
unsuccessful," said Childers. "The people
spoke. I'm convinced they meant it."
___
List of Lawmakers Forced to Leave
Office Because of Term Limits The Associated Press
Members of the Florida House and
Senate who can't run for their seat again after this
session because they've served at least eight years*:
SENATE:
11 out of 40 Senators can't run
for re-election. They are:
W.D. Childers, R-Pensacola
Pat Thomas, D-Quincy
George Kirkpatrick, R-Gainesville
Toni Jennings, R-Orlando
(President)
John Grant, R-Tampa
Patsy Ann Kurth, D-Malabar
Jim Hargrett, D-Tampa
William "Doc" Myers,
R-Hobe Sound
Jim Scott, R-Fort Lauderdale
Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami
Roberto Casas, R-Hialeah
HOUSE:
52 out of 120 Representatives can't
run for re-election. They are:
George Albright, R-Ocala
Joe Arnall, R-Jacksonville Beach
Stan Bainter, R-Eustis
Dave Bitner, R-Port Charlotte
Elaine Bloom, D-Miami Beach
Irlo "Bud" Bronson,
R-Kissimmee
Shirley Brown, D-Sarasota
Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami
James Bush, D-Miami
Bob Casey, R-Gainesville
Cynthia Chestnut, D-Gainesville
Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte
Springs
John Cosgrove, D-Miami
George Crady, D-Yulee
Victor Crist, R-Temple Terrace
Lori Edwards, D-Auburndale
Josephus Eggelletion,
D-Lauderdale Lakes
Jim Fuller, R-Jacksonville
Howard Futch, R-Melbourne Beach
Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah
Greg Gay, R-Cape Coral
Harry Goode, R-Melbourne
Addie Greene, D-Mangonia Park
Lars Hafner, D-St. Petersburg
Ed Healey, D-West Palm Beach
Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville
Suzanne Jacobs, D-Delray Beach
Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island
Everett Kelly, R-Tavares
Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee
Willie Logan, D-Opa-locka
Sharon Merchant, R-Palm Beach
Gardens
Les Miller, D-Tampa
Rick Minton, D-Fort Pierce
John Morroni, R-Clearwater
Mark Ogles, R-Bradenton
Bill Posey, R-Rockledge
Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie
John Rayson, D-Pompano Beach
Alzo Reddick, D-Orlando
Beryl Roberts, D-Miami
Luis Rojas, R-Miami
Debbie Sanderson, R-Fort
Lauderdale
Charles Sembler, R-Sebastian
Kelly Smith, D-Palatka
Tracy Stafford, D-Wilton Manors
Bob Starks, R-Casselberry
Bill Sublette, R-Orlando
John Thrasher, R-Orange Park
(Speaker)
Alex Villalobos, R-Miami
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Davie
Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville
*Members can seek election to
the other chamber of the Legislature.
Related Links:
