Grads build political clout in legislature

By Ron Matus

Special to the Florida State Times

Doak Campbell Stadium's recent $90-million facelift is an obvious symbol for the rise of Florida State football.

But it also serves as powerful testament to the political maturity of FSU alumni in the state Legislature.

FSU's alumni lawmakers pushed and pulled the University Center through the legislative process several years ago under the leadership of two of their own - former House speakers T.K. Wetherell and Bo Johnson, both Florida State grads.

It's just one example of FSU's still-growing influence in the Legislature, where 19 Seminole graduates now occupy some of the most powerful positions in Florida government. All those Seminole lawmakers "have profited FSU quite well," said Rep. Everett Kelly of Tavares, who is one of them (bachelor's in zoology, 1951).

"We've had two or three speakers here lately who have been alumni," Kelly said. "You got the stadium enlarged and more classrooms and a lot of other work that might not have been done without that backing."

FSU alumni have a hand in shaping policy and making decisions that affect every facet of Florida life. Of 19 alumni in the state House and Senate, 13 are committee chairs or vice-chairs. That is the reflection of a quality university, said Rep. Keith Arnold of Ft. Myers (bachelor's in political science, 1981).

It "signifies the strength of the school, how far the school has come in terms of producing graduates out of quality programs," said Arnold, former education committee chair. "These people are the voice of the community."

Among those holding plum Senate seats: Sen. Charlie Crist of St. Petersburg (bachelor's in political science, 1978), chair of the Executive Business, Ethics, and Elections Committee; Sens. W.D. Childers of Pensacola (bachelor's in education, 1955) and Sen. Jim Horne of Jacksonville (bachelor's in accounting, 1980), both subcommittee chairs in the powerful Ways and Means Committee; and Ken Jenne of Ft. Lauderdale (law degree, 1972), now vice-chair of the Education Committee.

Among those in leadership positions in the House: Rep. J. Alex Villalobos of Miami (law degree, 1988), chair of the Criminal Justice Committee; Rep. John Thrasher of Orange Park (bachelor's in business, 1965; law degree, 1972), co-chair of the Rules, Resolutions, and Ethics Committee; and Rep. Greg Gay of Cape Coral (bachelor's in business, 1980), chair of the Community Affairs Committee. Rep. Jim King (bachelor's in business, 1961; master's in business, 1962) is House Majority Leader.

Having all those friends in high places, it goes almost without saying, has been good for FSU.

"FSU achieves prominence on its own to some degree because it's a good university," said Rep. Sharon Merchant of Palm Beach Gardens (bachelor's in international affairs, 1986), who chairs the Transportation and Economic Development Committee. "But it doesn't hurt to have 19 members striving to see FSU achieve prominence."

When it comes time for FSU to lobby for a particular project, or to forward a position on an issue that could affect the FSU community, FSU officials can count on finding friendly faces willing to listen ­ and then some ­ if senators and representatives like what they hear.

"Because we have so many of them, it's likely that I will have one or two of them to go to in any situation," said Kathleen Daly, who lobbies for FSU as director of governmental relations. "They're evenly spread out throughout the process."

And FSU depends completely on that "process."

"The bottom line is FSU is a state institution," said former Speaker Wetherell, now president of Tallahassee Community College. "Every dollar they get is through something the Legislature does."

The University Center now wrapped around Doak Campbell Stadium is the most obvious case in point, though there are dozens of legislative bills, projects and programs that affect FSU every year. The stadium expansion was the result of a bipartisan effort led by FSU alumni, Rep. Kelly said.

"Republicans and Democrats came together very strongly and said we want this done," Kelly said. "We supported and voted for those appropriations. You were a Seminole and that's what made a difference. Everybody wants to see their school be the best."

There are powerful Seminoles on both sides of the political aisle in the Legislature, but party stripes are not the only lines that unify. In some cases, especially when it comes to money and programs for universities, school colors can be more valuable than party labels.

"You got Republicans and Democrats," Wetherell said, "and then you got Seminoles and Gators. We did the University Center when (Republican) Bob Martinez was governor."

"When you get down to funding a university center, or a magnet lab, or a supercomputer," Wetherell continued, citing other major projects that have come to FSU in recent years, "it really goes back to your raison d'etre, which is your alumni."

FSU's political influence extends beyond the lawmakers themselves.

Seminole graduates can be found all over the halls and offices of the Capitol. They sit on legislative committee staffs and in the executive branch. Wetherell cited as one example Pete Dunbar, former chief of staff to Gov. Lawton Chiles.

"You got to have people scattered around to set priorities and to move," Wetherell said. "We have not only a lot of legislators in there but a lot of staff people who could influence people somewhat."

It may be natural that FSU, just blocks from the Capitol, would eventually build broad political influence. FSU, in part because of its proximity to the halls of power, is helping to give politically-minded students the skills they need to become movers and shakers, Rep. Arnold said.

"FSU provided the academic and cultural and political setting to allow me to pursue my dreams," said Arnold, who was elected at the age of 23, while attending FSU law school. "In terms of governmental service, there's no institution that can compare in the state of Florida."

Arnold interned in the Capitol while in college.

"I received credit through some of my government and political science classes," he said. "Most of the professors have not only an academic knowledge of government, but a working knowledge. It's really a practical, hands-on education as well as an academic education."

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