Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
The governor asks agency heads to hand in resignations. He also names a transition team.
By ALISA ULFERTS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 13, 2002
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush met with his agency heads Tuesday afternoon to tell them what he expects of them in the immediate future: their resignations.
They won't know whether Bush will accept or reject their resignations for several weeks, until he has completed his transition period in preparation for his second term. Bush also announced the leaders of his transition team on Tuesday.
"I don't think anyone is totally surprised" by Bush's request for resignations, said Bush spokeswoman Elizabeth Hirst. Agency heads and other senior staffers "serve at the pleasure of Gov. Bush," Hirst said. "It's appropriate for him to take a step back."
How many of the agency and department heads will stay on is unclear.
"Transitions are a time of renewal, re-evaluation and rejuvenation," Bush told his agency heads during the meeting.
The state Senate will have to confirm new agency heads, including those who are reappointed to the same job.
It's not uncommon for re-elected governors to clean house between their first and second terms, although this is the first time it's been tried by a Republican.
After his re-election in 1994, then-Gov. Lawton Chiles eased out or lost several key administrators, including his labor secretary, chief business regulator and general counsel.
Bush announced transition team leaders for his top priorities: reading, diversifying Florida's economy and "building Florida's families by renewing the spirit of community."
Former university system chancellor Adam Herbert and Board of Education member Julia Johnson will lead the reading team. Investor Chuck Cobb and Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood will oversee the economy team. Children's advocate and attorney Sara Herald and Mark Merrill, founder and president of the research group Family First, will lead the family focus team.