Now that the elections are over,
we can start to see how Florida's new Senate President and Speaker of the House
will be organizing their leadership teams and committee chairs. Over the next
few days I will let you know about the changes in the State Legislature.
BEAN, PASSIDOMO NAMED TO SENATE
LEADERSHIP POSTS
November 6, 2020 NSF Staff
Fernandina Beach Republican Aaron Bean
and Naples Republican Kathleen Passidomo will serve as top lieutenants to
incoming Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby,
Simpson announced Friday. Bean, who was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and
has been a leader on health-care issues, will serve the next two years as Senate
president pro tempore. “There is no question the impacts of the ongoing
(coronavirus) pandemic will change the look and feel of these next two years in
ways none of us could have imagined when we first decided to run for office,”
Simpson said in a prepared statement. “Senator Bean’s authenticity, positivity
and optimism, combined with his deep knowledge and experience in the legislative
process, make him a perfect fit for the critical role of president pro tempore.”
Passidomo, who was first elected to the Senate in 2016 and is expected to
succeed Simpson as president in November 2022, will serve as chairwoman of the
Rules Committee. “Throughout her years of public service, Senator Passidomo has
gained the respect of senators on both sides of the political aisle by listening
to the concerns each senator brings forward and working to build consensus,”
Simpson said in a statement. “She has exhibited sound judgment and a
fair-minded, reasonable and thoughtful approach to decision making that, I am
confident, will be a great benefit to the Senate over the next two years.” The
appointments were the first two announced by Simpson, who will formally become
Senate president during a Nov. 17 organization session. Incoming House Speaker
Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, announced a full leadership team and changes in
House committees on Thursday.
--
Darrin "Scribe" Brooks
State Vice President
State Legislative
Trustee,
ABATE of Florida, Inc.