On the heels of an election that defied expectations by delivering broad Republican victories, the newest members of the Florida House and Senate arrived in Tallahassee Tuesday to get acquainted with a legislative process that remains decisively GOP-driven.

  • Legislators arrived in Tallahassee Nov. 15
  • 65 freshmen received office assignments and tips on lawmaking
  • True test of post-election optimism will come in March

At orientation sessions, the 65 freshman legislators learned about the intricacies of lawmaking and received office and parking spot assignments. As usual, the most plum real estate went to members of the majority party.

Republicans also used their time at the capitol to discuss their agenda for the next two years.

Widely expected to lose multiple seats in both chambers, the party ceded just one seat in the Senate and picked up a seat in the House. Their enduring majority, some Republican freshmen suggested, could provide the political juice to pass conservative measures, like allowing guns on college campuses and cracking down on so-called 'sanctuary cities', that failed during the 2016 legislative session.

Further debate about expanding Medicaid, they said, would be all but off the table in the aftermath of the election.

"I believe it was a mandate that we continue the fiscal conservative policies that have gotten us to the place we are today," said Sen. Dana Young (R-Tampa), formerly the House majority leader, who won handily in a swing district.

If Republicans are feeling emboldened, however, Democrats are feeling optimistic that a spirit of compromise will prevail, particularly given the broad political divides laid bare by the election results. Many believe the Senate will continue to function as a check on the populist impulses of the House.

"It's time to turn the page," said Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), who spent eight years in the House. "It's time for both the country and the state to come together to unify for the best interests for the generations to come. That's why we're here."

The true test of that post-election optimism will come in March, when the 2017 regular legislative session begins.