Florence Snyder
Senate President Joe Negron was a kindly headmaster at this week’s orientation for committee chairmen and staff directors, offering excellent time management tips that everyone in #TheProcess should take to heart.
“Don’t pass flawed bills” seems like something that should go without saying. But in recent years, legislative committees have gotten into the annoying habit of advancing half-baked bills as a courtesy to colleagues who are spread too thin to do their homework, show up for meetings, and get things right the first time.
Negron is an experienced trial lawyer and very aware that judges, juries and people watching on The Florida Channel do not appreciate having their time wasted or their intelligence insulted. He encouraged committees to spend more time on oversight of state agencies and less time listening to power point presentations.
Lawmakers who heed that advice will be rewarded by voters. The proliferation of power point presentations makes too many committee meetings look like storytime at the local library. If we want scripted television, we can watch the Cabinet.
Perhaps most importantly, Negron encouraged his chairmen to facilitate public participation.
Easier said than done. Ungodly amounts of committee time are consumed with bromides, clichés, inside jokes, sucking up, and chairmen sucking down public comment time blathering about how little time there is.
Let’s stipulate that everybody: 1. Appreciates the opportunity; 2. Is honored to be here; and 3. Would love to work with you.
If that changes, feel free to put it on the record. Otherwise, just stick to the people’s business.
