Al Lawson
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Florida Senator Al Lawson (District 6-Tallahassee) was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1982 and became a Florida Senator in 2000. On Monday, November 17, 2008, he was unanimously elected as the Florida Senate Democrat’s 24th leader–the second African-American to ever hold that job, and takes charge of leading the 14 members of the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus. He has continually recognized that the state “faces monumental challenges” and given the continuing decline of state revenues and the effect on the state budget, that may be an understatement. Noting the gridlock and partisan politics that often impede the delivery of meaningful legislative solutions, Senator Lawson has implored the state’s Republican leadership in the House, Senate, and Governor’s mansion to reconsider past methods and choices, priorities and direction, and “heed the choice that the majority of Floridians made in the most recent Presidential election,” But what does that mean and what are the most pressing priorities for “Big Al?” More importantly, what kind and degree of influence will Senator Lawson’s leadership position have on the majority party in control (i.e., Republicans) and what might it mean to our state overall, and specifically our local community? Please join the Capital Tiger Bay Club on Thursday, December 18 at the Silver Slipper when we welcome long-time Florida House and new Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson to share his perspective and answer your questions about the future of Florida and our community.