Capitol e-Report - 2009 Florida Legislature Convenes
The 2009 Florida Legislature opened today and the Florida House of Representatives immediately, and unanimously, elected Larry Cretul (R-Ocala) as the Speaker of the House for the 2009-2010 term. Cretul replaces embattled Rep. Ray Sansom (R-Destin) who stepped aside last month.
The House Republicans also chose Rep. Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) as speaker-designate. Cannon will take over from Cretul after the November 2010 elections, if the Republicans maintain their majority in the House of Representatives.
The House Democratic Caucus, today, elected Rep. Ron Saunders (D-Key West) to serve as the Democratic Party's Speaker-designate for the 2010-2012 term of the Florida Legislature. The current House Minority Leader is Rep. Franklin Sands (D-Plantation).