President-Designate Simpson’s prepared remarks

October 15, 2019

By NSF Staff

 

TALLAHASSEE --- Senate Republicans on Tuesday formally designated Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, as the next Senate president. Simpson will succeed President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, after the 2020 elections. Simpson addressed senators, other state officials and supporters Tuesday. Here are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

"I started preparing for this a few months ago by watching past designation speeches. Some of the most exciting and interesting TV you’ll ever watch.

And yes, Chris, I was one of the three people that watched it on the Florida Channel. 

So it did happen.

It brought back some great memories, like the invocation Senator Hukill offered for President Galvano’s designation. … We really miss her.

But it also caused me to think about the great presidents I’ve served with. Each one taught me important lessons. And I needed them, because I came here with no government experience.

--- I wasn’t born into a political family.

--- I didn’t run for student body president,

--- I didn’t serve in the House or local government.

I’m not a politician.

I’m a farmer and an entrepreneur.

I grew up working. I was paying Social Security taxes before I had a driver’s license.

I didn’t know the internal workings of government, but it didn’t take me long to figure it out: Farmers understand the lay of the land. We understand seasons and timing and how important the past is to the future.

Each president helped shape my service today.

My first president was Don Gaetz. He was a strong and competitive leader. He instilled in me the importance of giving my all to an effort. He said, You never want to finish in second place because you could’ve worked a little harder and gotten first place.

In my first two years, he gave me a lot of assignments. Looking back, I think he wanted to keep me busy so I wouldn’t cause him any problems. He gave me significant priorities and big challenges. I appreciated his confidence and the growth I achieved.

Then there was President Andy Gardiner. The thing he said that stuck out to me the most is don’t fear the debate --- and he didn’t. There was no issue that he wasn’t willing to bring up in this Senate.

I guess the biggest impact he had on me is the heart he had for people with unique abilities --- and because of him we have the Gardiner Scholarship, which continues to help families today.

And then there is President Joe Negron. I was fortunate to receive his confidence and trust to serve as his majority leader. He was laser-focused on two big priorities: expanding access to higher education, and making significant investments for Florida’s environment. Clearly, he accomplished those goals, and so many others.

Another quality I admired about him was his insistence on funding his team members’ priorities before his own. As his majority leader, I saw this first-hand.

And then there is our current president, Bill Galvano.

He’s the picture of a dedicated son. Many of his best quotes were from his incredible dad. Two things he has shared with us that have stuck with me --- and you know them well, Play the hole you’re on --- meaning don’t neglect your responsibility at hand. The second is value other’s time. Give your full attention to the person coming to meet with you. Show them their worth. President Galvano has perfected the skill of making you feel important.

And Mr. President, we are very sorry for your recent loss.

Those that came before us accomplished incredible things.

We are inheriting a strong economy. As a state, we’ve governed as fiscal conservatives and we have flourished because of it.

In the last 10 years, we have paid down $10 billion in debt and cut taxes by nearly the same amount. At the same time, we have invested billions annually in our education, our roads, and our environment so that Florida can compete in the global economy.

And let’s not take for granted that we have no income tax, and one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation --- because capitalism works.

We have invested resources and launched innovative ideas in our education system and it shows.

U.S. News and World Report has ranked our university and state college system number one in the nation for three years in a row to the envy of all other states.

We know the key to success for every child is delivered through a strong K-12 education system.

In fact, I believe the only way to break generational poverty is through education.

Today, our high schools are ranked sixth in the nation, and our fourth-graders are ranked second in the world for reading skills. We have more choices for parents, which lead to greater involvement in their children’s lives. In Florida, we embrace parents because they know what’s best for their children.

And we have made major strides in the effort to protect and restore our environment. Think of the state resources invested in just over the past eight ears to clean up the Everglades.

I’m so proud to have sponsored the Everglades Restoration Act as a freshman legislator, and the $880 million in strategic funding.

In addition, we have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the C-43, C-44, and SB 10 reservoirs, which will help stop the harmful releases east, west, and south of Lake Okeechobee.

This past year, we appropriated $50 million for a project in the Northern Everglades.

We know the Everglades is the eighth wonder of the world, but we also have a state decorated with natural springs. This legislature, four years ago, set aside $50 million per year in the budget for springs restoration.

I believe it’s important to look back on these accomplishments because it helps inform us on how we move forward.

We don’t inherit a blank slate. We are stewards of fields that have been planted and worked and harvested before.

As it’s our turn to take the plow, I want to say a few things about the role of the Senate.

Senators, we should approach our work with an understanding of our role in the process.

We have a bicameral legislature. We have executive and judicial branches. Other than Nebraska, every single state has a bicameral legislature for a reason.

Now, a few times, I’ve had people ask me if we had gone all Nebraska on them, but I can assure you, we do have a bicameral process.

We can fulfill our duty and we can do it without gridlock, animosity and stubbornness.

We must show respect and deference to our partners who ALL have a rightful seat at this table- but we must also fulfill our important role. Not because of pride, but because of duty.

Each one of us was elected by the majority of voters in our districts to represent them. You represent over 500,000 Floridians who sent you here to work for them, and they want us to get it right.

And in order to do something right, it takes time. It takes thoughtfulness. It takes a broad view. They are counting on us, all of us, to do a good job.

And we have a lot of hard work to do. We will need the skill set of every single senator in this room.

While we have many great successes, we also have many challenges in this growing state.

I have a few ideas on what I hope we can do during my time of service.

The list will change as the time draws closer to my term as Senate president. Because it’s not just about a checklist, it’s about being responsive to the needs at hand.

As I prepare for this session and the next, which sounds far off but it’s really right around the corner, I’ll be looking for important ways to improve and invest in what I call root causes.

This approach matches my background. I understand the importance of a good process to get a good product ... to examine the cause of problems, not just slap on a Band-Aid.

The areas I would like to highlight today are our natural resources, our children stuck in the foster care system, helping at-risk youth, and our economy.

I don’t care if you are a farmer or an environmentalist or somewhere in between: We all agree on some basic goals. We want to produce enough safe, affordable, abundant food and we want to do it with the lightest impact on our natural resources, using scientific best practices.

We’ll get a lot more done if everyone comes to the table focusing on our agreements, which far outweigh our differences.

Practically speaking, I would like to see the Northern Everglades storage project completed because it tackles the root cause of many of our water quality and quantity problems in this region.

Number one, it will keep that water from going into Lake Okeechobee, preventing up to 80% of the discharges.

Secondly, we will store the water so that we can use it when we need it.

It becomes part of the long-term plan to buffer the impact of a drought and more importantly to provide for the additional population growth, which could be another 5 million people in the next decade.

We also need to get serious about a septic-to-sewer program because it’s the root cause of many of our pollution problems around the state. It’s going to take resources.

We need to offer incentives to local governments for replacing outdated, harmful systems.

Water has no political boundaries.

We all benefit when Florida reduces harmful waste into our aquifer and waterways.

Finally, we need to do a better job capturing and using our reclaimed water.

Senators, as much as 800 million gallons per day is being put out to tide and we need that water. If we handle it right, we could use that precious resource to restore wetlands, prevent salt-water intrusion, and increase our drinking water supply. It’s a real solution to a real problem.

Failure to act won’t make it better. Failure to act only makes it worse.

The next area of focus is our children in the foster care system and Florida’s at-risk youth.

We have all heard the saying, a rising tide lifts all boats. Sadly, there are some boats that are stuck on the shore.

It doesn't matter how high the tide rises, it’s never going to lift them. Sometimes they need a little push.

I am so grateful for the caring community organizations that help children in need. I’ve long been an advocate for my local PACE Center for Girls.

Organizations like this are transformational. I want to make sure we invest in the programs that are working.

Dollars wisely spent on the front end are dollars saved --- more importantly, lives are saved through the opportunities created.

There’s so much potential in each and every child, but some are weighed down with issues that keep them from reaching it. Government makes a terrible parent, but we can make it easier for loving adults to help children in need.

Another partner in helping children are adoptive parents.

They aren’t just helpful, they’re superheroes. Sadly, sometimes bureaucracy makes it harder for these superheroes to fulfill their mission.

This hits home for me.

I learned a lot about the adoption process through an incredible couple in my district --- Jeff and Christy Gertz. They have adopted four children. They are here today, and I would like for them to stand so we can recognize this incredible family.

Government didn’t make it easy for them to adopt.

There’s a lot more we can do to honor families like the Gertzs’ for their courage, generosity, and love.

First Lady DeSantis, I know this issue is important to you and I look forward to working together.

The last area is also fundamental to our future prosperity, which is our economy. I plan to continue with common sense, fiscally conservative principles because they work. We will be the next steward of our triple A bond rating, our low debt ratio,and our low tax burden.

If you are a Florida business, we will do all we can to keep you here.

If you are an entrepreneur, we want you to launch your idea here. You’re taking a big risk and we don’t want state government to add to your hurdles.

Finally, If you are a business located in a high tax, over-regulated, unwelcoming state,  consider moving to Florida where we believe the American Dream and the Florida Dream are one in the same.

I hope this Senate will embrace this agenda that invests in our future. I know I’ll need to earn your support.

I also want your input. This room is full of accomplished business people, lawyers, teachers, and parents.

This job of leading the Senate cannot be done by one person. I understand the importance of partnerships and collaboration.

I know the only way we will succeed is by relying upon our collective experiences.

And finally, I want to do all I can to help continue the legacy of success for our Governor, Ron DeSantis. Governor, you are truly an incredible leader. You and the First Lady are the right team for this time in our history.

I have greatly enjoyed working with you and I know this Senate will welcome your priorities because they are wisely set with Florida’s best in mind.

Senators, I promise to tackle tough problems --- to remember those who have a higher hill to climb, especially when it was no fault of their own.

We can do this through policies that empower people to succeed --- not create government dependency.

I prefer teaching someone to fish rather than giving them a fish.

We owe it to every Floridian to make sure that our service is marked by leaving it a little better for the next generation.

Thank you for the honor and privilege of being your designee. It’s going to take a lot of work, but work is what we’re made for.