Statements Regarding Florida’s Primary Date

Statement by Speaker Cannon Regarding Florida’s Primary Date

Tallahassee–Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) released the following statement regarding Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary Selection Committee selecting January 31, 2012, as the date for Florida’s 2012 presidential preference primary election.

“I am grateful to Leader Lopez-Cantera, Chairman McKeel and other members of the selection committee for preserving Florida’s rightful place as an early primary state and providing Florida voters the opportunity to play a critical role in selecting our Party’s nominee.”

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Speaker Cannon Comments on Patriot Day and the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks

Tallahassee–Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) today commented on Patriot Day and the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks.

“Ten years ago, during the aftermath of one of the most heinous attacks in the history of our nation, we witnessed a phenomenon that became the terrorists’ worst nightmare. In the face of unimaginable devastation, we saw a unique surge in patriotism, a renewed sense of pride in our nation, and a special feeling of community. We proved that the faith and sprit of the American people cannot be broken.

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FL Chamber’s Bottom Line Features House Speaker Dean Cannon

TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 31, 2011) – House Speaker Dean Cannon is the featured guest on today’s edition of The Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line – a weekly web-based program featuring key figures from Florida’s corridors of power.

Jobs Florida, international trade, and paycheck protection are topics discussed between Cannon, Florida Chamber president and CEO Mark Wilson, and host Ron Sachs, president of Ron Sachs Communications. … Continue Reading

Memo from Speaker Dean Cannon Re: Veto Overrides

MEMORANDUM

TO: Members, Florida House of Representatives

FROM: Dean Cannon, Speaker

DATE: March 21, 2011

RE: Veto Overrides

On Friday, the State Affairs Committee recommended that the full House override the vetoes of CS/CS/HB 1207, an act related to Campaign Financing, and CS/HB 7103, an act related to Agriculture. I anticipate that the motion to override former Governor Charlie Crist’s vetoes will be taken up on the House Floor during our business this week. Attached please find the updated staff analyses for both bills along with the veto messages for both bills.

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Statement on Florida Commissioner of Education Eric Smith

Tallahassee–Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) today released the following statement regarding Florida Commissioner of Education Eric Smith’s resignation.

“Under Commissioner Smith’s leadership we have seen Florida students make exceptional gains. Our high school graduation rate has reached a new high; we are closer than ever before to closing the achievement gap, and Florida has become a national model for measuring student performance. … Continue Reading

Joint Offices and Committees

TO: Members, Florida House of Representatives

FROM: Dean Cannon, Speaker

DATE: March 11, 2011

RE: Joint Offices and Committees

Over the last year, the Florida House has led an effort to streamline the joint legislative offices and reduce the number of joint committees. Yesterday, with the passage of SB 1204, we took another step toward ensuring that the operations of our joint offices and committees are fully integrated with and relevant to the actual work of the Florida Legislature.

Attached please find a letter from Senate President Mike Haridopolos and myself appointing the coordinators of the joint legislative units. In addition, I have made the following appointments to the three joint committees.

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Statement from Speaker Cannon Regarding House Passing Legislation to Address Unemployment Compensation

Tallahassee–Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) today released the following statement regarding the Florida House passing CS/CS/HB 7005 Unemployment Compensation.

“Today the Florida House responded to the needs of Florida’s job creators – our business community – by making important changes to the unemployment compensation tax system to ease the looming tax increases in the short term, while at the same time making needed adjustments to promote the long-term stability of the program. … Continue Reading

Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon Statement on High-Speed Rail Project

Statement from Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) regarding Governor Scott’s decision to reject federal funding for the Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail project:

“I have not spoken to the Governor regarding today’s announcement, but I watched the Governor’s press conference. I’m encouraged that he is focusing on the practical realities of government programs, and their long-term impacts. As the Constitutional officer charged with carrying out transportation policy, the Governor seems to have determined that at this time he cannot feasibly implement high-speed rail in Florida. I have confidence that he will bring the same level of scrutiny to other issues.”

Statement by Speaker Cannon Regarding Governor Scott’s Budget Recommendations

Tallahassee–Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon released the following statement today regarding Governor Rick Scott’s budget recommendations for fiscal year 2011-2012.

“Governor Scott has proposed budget recommendations, which he believes reflect the principles he espoused on the campaign trail. Over the next few weeks, we look forward to thoroughly reviewing these recommendations.

“The first and highest priorities of the Florida House are to cut government spending and not raise taxes. I am grateful that Governor Scott shares these goals.”

Select Committee on Government Reorganization

TO:                         Members of the Florida House of Representatives

FROM:                  Dean Cannon, Speaker

DATE:                    February 3, 2011

RE:                          Select Committee on Government  Reorganization

The 2011 Legislative Session is an opportunity for transformational change.  We should thoughtfully and systematically pursue true reform and avoid the temptation to make changes simply for the sake of change. … Continue Reading

Creation of Select Committee on Government Reorganization

TO: Members of the Florida House of Representatives

FROM: Dean Cannon, Speaker

DATE: February 3, 2011

RE: Select Committee on Government Reorganization

The 2011 Legislative Session is an opportunity for transformational change. We should thoughtfully and systematically pursue true reform and avoid the temptation to make changes simply for the sake of change.

Some policy conversations reach beyond the scope of an individual Member bill and do not fit neatly inside our predefined committee structure. For that reason, pursuant to Rule 7.6, I am hereby creating the Select Committee on Government Reorganization.

Privatization, performance standards, running government like a business, and information technology are appealing ideas but not panaceas. Reform cannot consist of simply combining, recombining, dividing, or redividing government agencies. Our goal instead is to engage in the work of identifying the specific and necessary work of government in order to eliminate the extraneous tasks that have been added over the years. Florida government should be focused on core goals and structured to achieve those goals.

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Joint Letter to Senator Nelson Regarding Federal Health Care Reform

Speaker Cannon and Senate President Haridopolos sent the attached letter to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson this afternoon requesting that Senator Nelson vote to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. … Continue Reading

Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon and House Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Rob Schenck Comment on Federal Judge Ruling the Federal Health Care Act Unconstitutional

Tallahassee–Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) issued the following statement regarding Judge Roger Vinson’s ruling on the constitutionality of the federal health care act:

“Today Judge Vinson’s ruling affirmed Florida’s and 25 other states’ position that portions of the federal health care act are unconstitutional and a gross misuse of federal authority.

“The ruling makes it clear that the federal mandate to buy government-defined insurance goes far beyond Congress’ constitutional power to regulate commerce. The federal government should join the states in finding ways to reduce costs and improve access to care, rather than ordering individuals to purchase benefits they may not want.

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Andrews 2011 Menu Rollout Photo Gallery

Andrew’s Capital Grill and CapitalSoup.com Announce New Menu featuring Florida’s New Leadership Team

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As part of a time-honored tradition, Florida’s leading officials joined Andrew’s Capital Grill owner Andy Reiss today for lunch to unveil the 2011 Andrew’s Capital Grill menu, featuring the names of newly-elected leaders like Governor Rick Scott, Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and others. … Continue Reading

Andrew’s Capital Grill and CapitalSoup.com Announce New Menu featuring Florida’s Leadership Team

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Andrew’s Capital Bar and Grill, Tallahassee’s best-known politico lunch spot, is unveiling its new 2011 lunch menu. The menu features items named for newly elected leaders including Governor Rick Scott, Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.

This year, Andrew’s Capital Bar and Grill partnered with CapitalSoup.com to accept suggestions from the public for the new menu item names. Among ideas submitted by Florida voters were the “Marco Cubio” Cuban Sandwich and the Adam Putnam “Fresh from Florida” Grouper Sandwich.

The unveiling of the menu takes place this week, as Florida’s leadership team will gather to enjoy the dishes named in their honor.

What:        Andrew’s Capital Bar and Grill Menu Launch Luncheon

Where:    Andrew’s Capital Bar and Grill
228 South Adams Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301

When:        Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011
10 a.m.

Who:    Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, House Speaker Dean Cannon as well as members of the Florida legislature and local elected officials.

Speaker Cannon’s Reply to Governor Scott – RE: Budget Recs

Speaker Cannon sent the attached letter to Governor Scott this morning regarding Governor Scott’s request for a one day extension for the submittal of the Governor’s budget recommendations.

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Statement by Speaker Cannon on the Appointment of DMS Secretary Jack Miles

Tallahassee–House Speaker Dean Cannon released the following statement regarding Governor Rick Scott’s Appointment of Jack Miles as the Secretary of the Department of Management Services (DMS).

“The Department of Management Services has serious organic flaws. … Continue Reading

Gulf Coast Claims Facility Review

Speaker Cannon sent the following letter to Chair Hukill regarding the Deepwater Horizon Incident and the Gulf Coast Claims Facility.

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Statement by Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon Regarding the Inauguration of the Governor and Lt. Governor and the Administration of the Oath of Office of the Cabinet Members

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) today released the following statement regarding the inauguration of Rick Scott as Florida’s 45th Governor, as well as the inauguration of Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll and the Administration of Oath of Office of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam Putnam.

“I am proud to congratulate Governor Scott as he is sworn in as Florida’s 45th Governor today, and I am confident that he will be an exceptional leader of our great state.

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