Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology: Chair Wilton Simpson
(R-Spring Hill), Vice Chair Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Fort Myers) , Randolph
Bracy (D-Ocoee), Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park), Jeff Brandes (R-St.
Petersburg), Oscar Braynon (D-Miami Gardens), Gary Farmer (D-Fort
Lauderdale), Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast),
Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples)
HOUSE ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Mike La Rosa
REPRESENTATIVE
Florida House of
Representatives
Speaker of the House Jose Oliva (R-Miami) announced House Chairmanships
during the Organizational Session in November. Rep. Mike La Rosa (R-St.
Cloud) will chair the Commerce Committee, which oversees energy and
utilities. Rep. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah) chairs the Economic Affairs Committee.,
which oversees workforce, transportation and infrastructure issues. At this
time, the House had not released the names of subcommittee chairs nor the
makes for neither committees nor subcommittees.
HOUSE MEMBERS APPOINTED TO AGENCY POSTS BY GOVERNOR-
ELECT DESANTIS
Bryan Avila
REPRESENTATIVE
Florida House of
Representatives
Governor Desantis is showing a propensity to look at legislators from both
sides of the aisle to be his administration’s state agency heads. Thus far, Rep.
David Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs) has been appointed to be lead the Florida
Division of Emergency Management, which coordinates the state’s response
to large emergencies such as hurricanes. The Governor also appointed
Rep. Halsey Beshears (R-Monticello) to run the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation, which the state’s professional licensing agency.
There are rumors that other legislators may be tapped to head state agencies
in the coming weeks.
• • •
Jared Evan
Moskowitz
REPRESENTATIVE
Florida House of
Representatives
Halsey Beshears
REPRESENTATIVE
Florida House of
Representatives
6
DITCHMEN • DECEMBER 2018