from Staff
Florida House of Representatives Speaker Marco Rubio announced this week the new council and committee assignments for 2007-08. Five members of the Duval Delegation have been selected to chair their committees.
The Florida Senate committee assignments have not changed.
“The new appointments reflect a series of factors,” Rubio said in a statement announcing the changes. “We have had turnover among legislators which resulted in vacancies, new members have been elected, members have sought new assignments and members have demonstrated strengths in certain policy areas. We think this fine-tuning of council and committee leadership and membership will make the House even more effective in doing its legislative work. I very much appreciate the willingness of members to take on these important assignments. Interim committee weeks, the special session on budget cuts, and the 2008 session will be upon us soon. It is critical that we be well positioned to resolve the issues before us.”
Rubio also issued a statement in regard to his decision to not re-appoint State Rep. Bob Allen to his chairmanship of the Energy Committee and membership on the Environment and Natural Resources Council.
“The House will continue to respect Rep. Allen’s right to defend himself against the charges which arose when he was arrested on July 11. However, we must acknowledge that in addition to being a private citizen, he is a public official. As such, we are judged by a higher standard than procedural innocence. The mere perception of impropriety can interfere with our official function. It is my personal belief that because of the allegations against him, Rep. Allen can no longer effectively serve the people of his district in the Florida House,” said Rublo.
Committee appointments:
Aaron Bean (R), House Dist. 12
Healthcare Council, Chair
Policy & Budget Council
Rules & Calendar Council
Legislative Budget Commission
Jennifer Carroll (R), House Dist. 13
Committee on Financial Institutions, Chair
Jobs & Entrepreneurship Council
Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
Committee on Healthy Families
Committee on Financial Institutions, Democratic Ranking Member
Committee on Conservation & State Lands
Jobs & Entrepreneurship Council
Don Davis (R), House Dist. 18
Committee on Economic Development, Chair
Economic Expansion & Infrastructure Council
Committee on Urban & Local Affairs
Terry Fields (D), House Dist. 14
Committee on Insurance, Democratic Ranking Member
Committee on Energy
Jobs & Entrepreneurship Council
Audrey Gibson (D), House Dist. 15
Committee on Health Quality
Committee on Insurance
Committee on Juvenile Justice
Rules & Calendar Council
Select Committee to Protect Personal Information
Stan Jordan (R), House Dist. 17
Committee on Military & Veterans’ Affairs, Chair
Government Efficiency & Accountability Council
Committee on Utilities & Telecommunications
Committee on K-12
Dick Kravitz (R), House Dist. 19
Safety & Security Council, Chair
Policy & Budget Council
Rules & Calendar Council