The Florida Senate: Opening Day Remarks

Senate President Ken Pruitt - March 06, 2007

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And so it begins.

If today had gone according to "my plan" I would have forgone a speech altogether and instead started the 2007 Session with 6 simple words: "Madam Secretary, read the first bill."

However "my plan" was derailed - and that's OK - it means the process that we created is working. No one Senator can single-handedly control the agenda of our Senate - not even the President.

And so, if this Senate is willing, I will get the chance to utter those 6 words this afternoon when we take up legislation that our Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee sends to this body. And I can't wait.

Taking up a bill today is both symbolic and substantive - because by doing so we let Florida know that we're ready to get down to business.

It demonstrates that —

- This is a Senate of action - not just words;

- This is a Senate that wants to govern - not grandstand;

- This is a Senate that can look the people of this State in the eye and say: "We get it."

As I prepared for the 2007 Session, I've been asked the same question time and time again: "What is your legislative agenda?"

It's a fair question - there's nothing wrong with a presiding officer having a cause to champion, a "must pass" bill, or even a building constructed as a legacy.

Senators, those things just aren't for me.

Though I stand before you with no wish list - I do recognize that one of the duties of a presiding officer is to set the tone and establish a theme for our collective agenda. And so, on this Opening Day, I would like to share a few thoughts from my heart; and in doing so, I hope to provide for us a framework for the 2007 Session.

Rarely do I make a public speech without a reference to America's Greatest Generation - I'm not going to disappoint you today. I can't help but speak with fondness about our parents and grandparents - those who sacrificed their resources, their energy, and in some cases, even their very lives for us.

They gave of themselves - not for their benefit, not for their personal reward but, with their eyes firmly fixed on the future, they labored to build a better tomorrow. The prosperity that we enjoy today is their legacy.

Senators, that torch has been passed on to us. It is now our job to chart the course for Florida's future. We will determine by our actions over the next 60 days what Florida will look like in the next ten, twenty, even fifty years.

This task will not be easy. Our economy is cooling - and for the first time in more than 15 years we may have less revenue to spend this year than we had the year before. It's a time of great challenge - but it's also a time of tremendous opportunity.

2007 will be a year for us to adopt a new paradigm - to examine programs and projects like never before - to promote and incentivize greater efficiency - and to invest our dollars in a more strategic and purposeful fashion.

Frankly, this is no different than what our families across Florida are doing around their kitchen table. When times are tough, they reevaluate. They prioritize. They make the tough choices.

If we end this Session, and walk away with a balanced budget - hoping never to go through a year like this again - we will have done our job . . . and no more.

Senators - I believe we can aim higher. I believe we can do better. I believe that this Senate - can take up the cause of doing all we can today- with all we have today - to build a better Florida for tomorrow.

Times are changing in our state -old models and assumptions will not work. Florida is experiencing a time of economic correction. The cost of living is increasing; property insurance and property taxes are higher; and while we can work to reduce some of the burden on our citizens, we will never be a "low cost" state again.

If we are going to do more than survive these tough times - we must boldly and purposefully act to create a new economy for Florida. The groundwork has already been laid: Scripps, Torrey Pines, Burnham, SRI and our most recent investment: the Moffitt/Merck M2Gen Project. These aren't accomplishments to be noted in our history books, but rather they should be springboards for further investments.

We must continue our efforts to build a strong economy founded on high tech industries, cutting edge research, and a 21st Century higher education system that is prepared to meet the challenge.

Florida has the sixteenth largest economy in the world - but if we are to aim higher, reach farther, achieve more in this global economy - we need to do more. Senators, we have all of the potential to become the leader of an economic revolution but it won't happen unless we lead the way.

Yes, Senators - this is a time of tremendous opportunity, a time for each of us to look beyond our own interests and that which is politically expedient and instead follow the example of our Greatest Generation, and to collectively pour our energies into building a better tomorrow.

I am confident that this Senate is up to the task and equipped for the job.

I fondly refer to you as the "Master Carpenters." The combined experience found in this Senate is truly awesome. I believe we together can meet any test and solve any problem.

In this very chamber, we have over 1700 years of combined residency in Florida.

There are 90 children who call one of us Mom or Dad.

Forty-eight grandchildren call a Florida Senator Grandma or Grandpa.

We have 688 years of combined education.

Seventy-five percent of us have either served, or have a loved one who has served, in the military.

Fifty percent of us have coached a team.

One hundred percent of us have volunteered for charitable causes.

We are doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, educators, law enforcement, union organizers, authors, healthcare executives, ranchers, and bankers.

Most importantly, we share a love for our families - a love for our communities - and a love for our state.

Senators, we have been given much.

It has been said that "To whom much has been given, much is required."

Let us use our many blessings, our diverse experiences, our shared commitment to this state, and do more than just "get by."

Let us fulfill our role as Master Carpenters.

Together, let us thoughtfully and purposefully invest today to build a better Florida for tomorrow.

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The Florida Senate: Opening Day Remarks

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