by Mary-Kate Roan
Staff Writer
It’s been a year in the making but State Rep. and attorney Charles McBurney finally got to personally thank his supporters for helping with a campaign that took place over a year ago for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives – not to mention he ran unopposed for this term.
“When I got elected last year, I hit the ground running,” said McBurney of why the victory party and thanks took so long. “I participated in two special sessions right after I was elected, so there was no time.”
McBurney, the 2006 Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year threw a party that wasn’t the average victory party. And, he decided to do something a little different. A professional photographer set up shop to take pictures of McBurney with every person that contributed to his campaign. McBurney also gave them all certificates of appreciation. But he has to give credit where it’s due.
“It was my mom’s idea,” said McBurney. “Instead of me being recognized, we wanted to recognize the volunteers and contributors and thank them one on one for an enormously successful campaign.”
“He’s a great man,” said Suzanne Bass, a local personal injury lawyer who served as Assistant State Attorney under Ed Austin where she first met McBurney. “He’s the kind of man that will return his phone calls.”
In his first year as a state lawmaker, McBurney was responsible for passing a law, which is rare to see in a first-year representative, that prohibited certain transfer fees when it came to selling properties. The scam had already occurred in several states and involved a promoter who would add a small fee to a property and if sold again, the promoter would receive the same small fee, typically around 1 or 2 percent of the property’s worth.
“It was like a property pyramid scheme, where a chain title became a chain letter,” said McBurney. “And in a depressed housing market, you don’t need senseless fees.”
McBurney also serves as the Vice Chair of Educational Innovation and Career Preparation, and he serves on the Committee on Business Regulation, Committee on State Affairs, Joint Legislative Auditing Committee and the Schools and Learning Council. On top of that, he also continues to work at his practice in Jacksonville.
“It’s a challenge,” said McBurney of being both a practicing lawyer and a legislator. “But they both complement each other.”
McBurney adds his trick is organization and time management. Of course, he also admits that technology and a good staff helps.
“You have to be careful of your time,” said McBurney. “The Legislature is supposed to be a part-time job.” McBurney adds that one reason for the Legislature being viewed as a part-time job is that he looks at the big picture issues and doesn’t get too bogged down in details.
Always interested in politics, McBurney was introduced to the State Legislature at a young age. His stepfather was Bill Chappell, who served as Speaker in the Florida House and later became a U.S. Representative.
McBurney also has the civic and professional background to help him understand his responsibilities in the Florida House. And, McBurney even likes his timing of being elected. He added that it’s important to prioritize the budget and spending.
“When the economy was good, there was a lot of spending going on,” said McBurney. “Now we’re required to set priorities when it comes to spending.”
In McBurney’s opinion, it is a good time for him to be in Tallahassee.
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