October 10, 2008
Editorial
Access is really the operative word in politics these days, and it's one thing that legislative newcomers typically lack. Newly elected state senators fare better than House members, because most have risen through the ranks and have their connections and allies on speed dial.
New House members often struggle for footing for quite some time, and in today's distressing economic climate, that can hobble a legislator unless he or she is armed with public policy wisdom and no small amount of charm and grit.
Even then, access to leadership remains the coin of the realm in the capital. Ask any lobbyist.
In the contest for House Seat 9, which is being vacated by Loranne Ausley, we recommend Republican Peter Boulware to voters throughout this district, which serves parts of Jefferson and Leon counties and has been represented by Democrats for decades.
When the Democratic Party was in charge — and when parties weren't quite such hostile fortresses — that worked very well for the capital city. But the Republican party has been in control of the Legislature for more than a decade.
While Democrats might realistically gain three or four House seats this election, this district owes it to itself to see how it fares when the delegation mix includes a Republican, Mr. Boulware — who claims he is already ensured of "a seat at the table with leadership."
A businessman who is vice president of Legacy Toyota, Mr. Boulware enjoys name recognition as a former All American for the Florida State University Seminoles who became an outstanding NFL player for nine years with the Baltimore Ravens. He will enjoy immediate recognition and celebrity that quite simply opens doors.
With issues as important as economic diversity and support of our universities and state workers, having access as the budgets and bills are being drawn up — rather than trying to tack something on or vote yes or no later — is important. And despite strong efforts by our Democrat delegation, they haven't had that up-front advantage.
Today, Mr. Boulware says, his commitment is to his wife, young children and this community, specifically including the state work force.
"We need to give them something; we need to pay them what they deserve," he told the Democrat's editorial board this week. "At first I'd heard there was a lot of fat in government, but when I started looking at it, I found it's quite the opposite. (State agencies) operate on shoestring budgets ... and state employees have been passed over time and again."
Mr. Boulware faces Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, a lawyer who teaches ethics and law at Tallahassee Community College. She is an impressive campaigner with charm and grit who has worked long and hard to familiarize herself with issues and articulate some solutions to chronic concerns of this district.
Ms. Rehwinkel Vasilinda is interested in finding a dedicated source of funding for our universities, for example, and in much more responsible and respectful treatment of the state work force. She would finance these "investments" through collection of existing taxes, such as on Internet sales, by removing some current tax exemptions and by increasing cigarette taxes.
No Party Affiliate candidate John Shaw's name will also appear on this ballot for District 9.
Mr. Boulware has homework yet to do and could learn from Professor Rehwinkel Vasilinda about the intricacies of public policy, but he has the edge in his ability to bring attention to this district, whose concerns increasingly have played second fiddle to those of south and central Florida.
"I am confident of what I can bring to the district," Mr. Boulware said. "And I am confident a lot of Democrats think like me and have the same mentality I do. But I will have a seat at the table of leadership instead of in the back of the House."
We agree. Peter Boulware deserves this chance to show he can bring this North Florida region back into play.
Editorial
Access is really the operative word in politics these days, and it's one thing that legislative newcomers typically lack. Newly elected state senators fare better than House members, because most have risen through the ranks and have their connections and allies on speed dial.
New House members often struggle for footing for quite some time, and in today's distressing economic climate, that can hobble a legislator unless he or she is armed with public policy wisdom and no small amount of charm and grit.
Even then, access to leadership remains the coin of the realm in the capital. Ask any lobbyist.
In the contest for House Seat 9, which is being vacated by Loranne Ausley, we recommend Republican Peter Boulware to voters throughout this district, which serves parts of Jefferson and Leon counties and has been represented by Democrats for decades.
When the Democratic Party was in charge — and when parties weren't quite such hostile fortresses — that worked very well for the capital city. But the Republican party has been in control of the Legislature for more than a decade.
While Democrats might realistically gain three or four House seats this election, this district owes it to itself to see how it fares when the delegation mix includes a Republican, Mr. Boulware — who claims he is already ensured of "a seat at the table with leadership."
A businessman who is vice president of Legacy Toyota, Mr. Boulware enjoys name recognition as a former All American for the Florida State University Seminoles who became an outstanding NFL player for nine years with the Baltimore Ravens. He will enjoy immediate recognition and celebrity that quite simply opens doors.
With issues as important as economic diversity and support of our universities and state workers, having access as the budgets and bills are being drawn up — rather than trying to tack something on or vote yes or no later — is important. And despite strong efforts by our Democrat delegation, they haven't had that up-front advantage.
Today, Mr. Boulware says, his commitment is to his wife, young children and this community, specifically including the state work force.
"We need to give them something; we need to pay them what they deserve," he told the Democrat's editorial board this week. "At first I'd heard there was a lot of fat in government, but when I started looking at it, I found it's quite the opposite. (State agencies) operate on shoestring budgets ... and state employees have been passed over time and again."
Mr. Boulware faces Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, a lawyer who teaches ethics and law at Tallahassee Community College. She is an impressive campaigner with charm and grit who has worked long and hard to familiarize herself with issues and articulate some solutions to chronic concerns of this district.
Ms. Rehwinkel Vasilinda is interested in finding a dedicated source of funding for our universities, for example, and in much more responsible and respectful treatment of the state work force. She would finance these "investments" through collection of existing taxes, such as on Internet sales, by removing some current tax exemptions and by increasing cigarette taxes.
No Party Affiliate candidate John Shaw's name will also appear on this ballot for District 9.
Mr. Boulware has homework yet to do and could learn from Professor Rehwinkel Vasilinda about the intricacies of public policy, but he has the edge in his ability to bring attention to this district, whose concerns increasingly have played second fiddle to those of south and central Florida.
"I am confident of what I can bring to the district," Mr. Boulware said. "And I am confident a lot of Democrats think like me and have the same mentality I do. But I will have a seat at the table of leadership instead of in the back of the House."
We agree. Peter Boulware deserves this chance to show he can bring this North Florida region back into play.
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