(The Center Square) – Florida House Speaker-designate Daniel Perez has announced his leadership team this week for the upcoming session which starts March 5.
The Miami Republican replaces outgoing House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, who couldn’t run for reelection due to term limits.
“This leadership team will drive our state forward by focusing on solving the problems facing our families, businesses and communities,” Perez said in a release. “I’ve chosen these members because of their character, dedication and willingness to put the people of Florida first.”
Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, will be the speaker pro tempore and Ways & Means Committee chairman, where he served as part of the committee under Renner. As speaker pro tem, Duggan will be Perez’s next-in-command able to preside over House business when the speaker is unavailable and ensure proper decorum and procedure in the chamber.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be entrusted with these roles,” Duggan said in a release. “Public money doesn’t belong to the government; it belongs to the taxpayers. I look forward to using the Ways & Means Committee to ensure our tax system at the state and local levels works for the people of Florida.”
Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, will be the House Majority Leader and Security & Threat Assessment Committee chairman.
Rep. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny, will be the Judiciary Committee chairman after serving on the committee in the last few sessions. The retired chief investigator for the Baker County Sheriff’s Office said in a release that his experience has “given me invaluable insight into how the justice system in Florida can serve our citizens.”
Rep. James Buchanan, R-Sarasota, will be the Commerce Committee chairman, which includes the Economic Infrastructure, Housing, Agriculture & Tourism, Industries & Professions Activities and the Insurance & Banking subcommittees.
Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, will be the Education & Employment Committee chairwoman after serving on the committee in the last few sessions.
“Education will shape Florida’s future for decades to come,” Canady said in a release. “As a lifelong educator, I look forward to leading a team of dedicated members who will focus on the issues that matter to the next generation.”
Other committee chairs include: Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, Rules & Ethics Committee; Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, Budget Committee; Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, State Affairs Committee; and Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-Polk City, Health & Human Services Committee.