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Florida Legislature 2005 (click for ongoing coverage)

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A House less divided?

Democrats in the Legislature are still powerless, but the Republicans are finding that a little respect goes a long way.

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published March 14, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - When you're accustomed to being treated like an unwanted dog, suddenly getting table scraps is a glorious treat.

So it is this year that many Democrats in the state capital are as upbeat as they've been in years. They are more impotent than ever, but at least they're getting some respect.

Whether it's receiving decent parking assignments, better access to budget information or having open communication with Republican leaders, Democratic state House members so far are finding life in the minority party less frustrating than it's been in years.

"We're in the worst position that we've ever been in, and I feel like I'm in the best position I've ever been in," said Ron Greenstein, D-Coconut Creek.

It was a common sentiment among beleaguered Democrats over the opening days of the 2005 Legislature. In sharp contrast to other recent Republican House leaders, Speaker Allan Bense is working cooperatively with Democrats and creating a collegial atmosphere.

"Just because someone's a Democrat or a Republican doesn't mean that they're not a productive member and a bright member of the Florida House that has ideas and thoughts," said Bense, who in his opening day singled out for praise Greenstein's proposal to waive sales taxes on hurricane preparedness materials before hurricane season.

"I've never been one to beat up much on Democrats. If they've got good ideas and good views, we're going to hear them out," said Bense, a Democrat himself until 1989. His Panhandle district is dominated by registered Democrats who mostly vote Republican in state and national races.

There are early signs that Democrats also might be less combative as they struggle with their own strategy for remaining relevant in the Legislature.

"We've thrown rocks, we've yelled at the top of our lungs, and we're not rewarded by the voters. We lost seats every year," said state Rep. Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale, the Democratic House leader who expects Democrats will choose their battles more carefully.

In a state where Democrats slightly outnumber registered Republicans, the only Democrat elected statewide is U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Democrats hold just 14 of 40 state Senate seats, 36 of 120 state House seats. Legislative districts are drawn to pack Democratic voters together so tightly that the Democrats in the Legislature tend to be more liberal than the state as a whole. North of the I-4 corridor, Democrats have only one white state senator and three white House members.

Despite the decidedly liberal bent of the Democratic lawmakers, many are determined to reach for the middle. Looking at how poorly John Kerry and Betty Castor fared through the Panhandle and north-Central Florida, they worry that their party is being perceived as culturally out of step through much of the state.

Smith said Democrats for too long addressed issues like prayer in school or certain abortion restrictions too academically. He expects a number of members will be much less strident the next time debate comes up on social issues.

"Those aren't winning issues. We don't want to get sucked into those fights," Smith said. "The Terri Schiavo case is a land mine waiting to happen for them to depict us as ungodly, nonfamily-loving people."

The Republican majority is so solid that it rarely needs Democratic votes to pass something. Likewise, nothing the Democrats want will pass if Republicans widely oppose it.

So, despite all the bipartisan collegiality in the opening week of the session, Democrats remain essentially powerless in Tallahassee. Their most potent tool is publicity, which allows them to turn controversial Republican moves into politically sticky issues.

Last year, for instance, Democrats shamed Republicans into adding more slots to the state KidCare program of subsidized children's health insurance. This year, they jumped on the governor - as did some Republicans - for proposing no money for the Medically Needy program, which provides life-saving coverage to needy Floridians. The governor added the money.

"The power of the Internet and the power of the outreach groups has given us the ability to drum up very loud noise when we need to," said state Rep. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg.

Democrats also take solace that some of the issues they've championed for years are making it onto the Republican agenda.

The governor is talking up the need for higher teacher salaries, for example, though it is part of his plan to rescind the voter mandate - and Democratic idea - to reduce class sizes. Republicans, likewise, are starting to raise many of the questions and concerns Democrats raised for years over the state's aggressive privatization efforts.

"The minority can be a very significant source of introspection for the majority," said state Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell, D-Fort Lauderdale, summing up the Democratic message in two words: "responsibility, accountability."

Campbell predicted the process over the next two years will be better than legislators have seen in a long time. The Democratic strategy will be "amiable confrontation on the issues that need to be confronted."

For all the relief in the House about finally having a seat at the table, some members are wary about being lulled into complacency.

"I'm seeing much more common-sense approaches to policy and procedure," said state Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg.

"But the jury's still out. We still have to be very vigilant and watchful."

--Times staff writer Steve Bousquet contributed to this report. Adam C. Smith can be reached at 727893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 14, 2005, 05:03:53]