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II.
1!
institutional authority.
For example, the Speaker
Pro Tempore could serve as Chair of a House Oversight
Committee, and propose administrative assignments like
offices, parking, etc.
The Majority Leader might serve as Vice Chair of a
House Oversight Committee, and propose committee
assignments for members of the majority.
III. Form a House Oversight Committee
The House Oversight Committee would be a standing
committee made up of the Speaker, Speaker Pro Tempore,
Majority Leader, and perhaps others appointed by them.
The House Oversight Committee would approve or amend
administrative and committee assignments proposed by
the Speaker Pro Tempore and Majority Leader, in
addition to the duties described below.
IV.
2!
3!
September 6, 2015
State House must aggressively reform concentration of power
Florida deserves leadership, not an autocracy. As Congressman Dan
Webster often says, it is time to tear down the legislative pyramid
of power the system of rules, written and unwritten, that empower a
select few in legislative leadership to dictate the actions of many.
Under the rules and practices that govern the Florida House today, a
member who upsets leadership runs the risk of losing almost everything
from a chairmanship and committee assignments, to things as mundane
as an office or a parking space. Even worse, to the detriment of our
constituents, the concentration of power in the hands of a few
inevitably narrows the range of ideas and viewpoints that are even
considered.
This phenomenon isnt unique to the Florida House. It is a
characteristic of many legislative bodies, and it cannot be blamed on
any person or political party. In the era of term limits, power has
become even more centralized because members do not have as much time
to develop the experience, relationships and policy expertise that
could serve as a counterweight to the few in leadership.
To appreciate what is wrong with the status quo, we need only remind
ourselves of the wisdom of our Founders. They knew all too well that
power concentrated in one place threatens our freedom. And part of the
Founders genius was their understanding that the best ideas and the
best government come from dispersing authority and increasing the
number of people who are able to participate.
We have been blessed in recent times with many good and honest men to
lead the Florida House. It is also true that, over the years, the
Florida House has often been at the forefront of policy reform. And,
despite the structural disincentives to act independently, many
members nevertheless try to do what is right.
If all leaders were like current Speaker Steve Crisafulli, reform
would be unnecessary. Unfortunately, every time we choose new
leadership, our state gambles on the wisdom and honor of a single
person. That is a bad system.
I am convinced that the only way to fix these structural problems is
to amend Florida House and caucus rules with bold and broad changes
laser focused on aggressively decentralizing power. Only then will we
get real and lasting reform. Only then will we have a truly memberdriven process an incessantly invoked goal that too often receives
only lip service.