Florida House revamps education committees, announces members
Tampa Bay Times | By Jeffrey S. Solochek | December 18, 2024
The big story: The committee structure for Florida’s upcoming legislative session continues to take shape, with House Speaker Daniel Perez announcing membership of the panels that will oversee education policy and funding for the coming year.
There are several new faces on the committees, though a few more veteran members including newly minted Republican Rep. Susan Valdés of Tampa and educators Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, and Rep. John Temple, R-Wildwood, remain in the mix. Perez also has revamped the committees, with some getting different names and focuses.
Gone, for example, are the subcommittees on Choice and Innovation, and Education Quality. They’ve been replaced with subcommittees on Education Administration and Student Academic Success.
Read on for the House lawmakers who will be leading the education conversation.
Higher Education Budget Subcommittee — Chair: Demi Busatta Vice Chair: Michael Caruso Republicans: • Omar Blanco • Mike Giallombardo • Peggy Gossett Seidman • Jeff Holcomb • Kim Kendall • Alex Rizo • Judson Sapp • David Smith • John Temple Democrats: • Wallace Aristide • LaVon Bracy Davis • Daryl Campbell • Gallop Franklin
PreK 12 Budget Subcommittee — Chair: Jenna Persons Mulicka Vice Chair: Dana Trabulsy Republicans: • Erika Booth • Robert Brackett • Anne Gerwig • Fiona McFarland • Kiyan Michael • Danny Nix • Toby Overdorf • John Snyder • Brad Yeager Democrats: • Kimberly Daniels • Jervonte Edmonds • Ashley Gantt • Johanna Lopez
Education & Employment Committee — Chair: Jennifer Canady Vice Chair: Taylor Yarkosky Whip: Kim Berfield Republicans: • Anne Gerwig • Berny Jacques • Kim Kendall • Fiona McFarland • Kiyan Michael • Danny Nix • Jenna Persons Mulicka • Judson Sapp • Paula Stark • John Temple • Dana Trabulsy • Susan Valdés • Brad Yeager Democrats: • Wallace Aristide • Kimberly Daniels • Lisa Dunkley • Jervonte Edmonds • Jennifer Harris • Yvonne Hinson
Careers & Workforce Subcommittee — Chair: Berny Jacques Vice Chair: Rachel Plakon Republicans: • Jessica Baker • Doug Bankson • Kim Berfield • Nan Cobb • Chad Johnson • Kim Kendall • Jennifer Kincart Jonsson • Traci Koster • Patt Maney • Lauren Melo • Paula Stark Democrats: • Dan Daley • Ashley Gantt • Mitch Rosenwald • Leonard Spencer • Allison Tant
Education Administration Subcommittee — Chair: Dana Trabulsy Vice Chair: Dean Black Republicans: • Jon Albert • Fabian Basabe • Peggy Gossett Seidman • Jeff Holcomb • Debbie Mayfield • Jim Mooney • Danny Nix • Juan Porras • Judson Sapp • Susan Valdés • Meg Weinberger Democrats: • Jose Alvarez • Wallace Aristide • LaVon Bracy Davis • Angie Nixon • Marie Woodson
Student Academic Success Subcommittee — Chair: Fiona McFarland Vice Chair: Doug Bankson Republicans: • Yvette Benarroch • Kim Berfield • Omar Blanco • Anne Gerwig • Kiyan Michael • Vanessa Oliver • Michael Owen • Alex Rizo • Kevin Steele • John Temple • Taylor Yarkosky Democrats: • Bruce Antone • Lisa Dunkley • Yvonne Hinson • Johanna Lopez • Debra Tendrich
Efforts to guide discussion on education bills already has begun, with several organizations completing their legislative agendas. The Florida Education Association set teacher pay raises as its top 2025 legislative priority, Florida Politics reports.
