Dear Friends,

As we come to the close of the first week of the 2007 Legislative Session, I am pleased with the progress we have made. I am grateful for the strong leadership of Senate President Ken Pruitt, House Speaker Marco Rubio and the members of the Florida House and Senate.

Tuesday was the opening day of session and the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of our state government came together in the chamber of the Florida House of Representatives for the annual State of the State Address. I discussed the progress we have made toward accomplishing our goals and the issues we will address in the coming weeks. The state of our state is strong and it is promising.

Stan and Joan Whitney of Port Charlotte visited Tallahassee for the event. Their property insurance rate will decrease because of the Legislature's bipartisan work during the January special session. Reverend Larry Lynn of the Lady Lake Church of God also made the trip to Tallahassee. His congregation and other victims of the February 2 tornadoes are getting back on their feet thanks to the State Emergency Response Team and many dedicated disaster relief workers. Through the Office of Open Government, established in January, we are furthering Florida's Sunshine Laws to ensure the most ethical, open and customer friendly government possible.

Visiting with the Whitneys, Reverend Lynn and other Floridians during the last two months has been a great experience. They keep me motivated me to complete the People's Agenda.

I have asked the Legislature to reduce property taxes by putting a constitutional amendment before the voters this year. The American dream of home ownership is being crushed under the weight of property taxes, and we must ensure that Florida remains affordable.

I encouraged the Legislature to double funding to reward topperforming teachers, to increase funding for continued class-size reduction and reading coaches and to create funding for virtual tutors. Stephen Anderson, a former elementary school teacher in Volusia County, also attended the State of the State Address. He left the teaching profession because of an opportunity to earn a better salary elsewhere. We need to reward effective teachers like Stephen and keep them in Florida's classrooms preparing our children to lead our state.

On Tuesday, I asked the Legislature to take up the Anti- Murder Bill so that I could sign it as the first law of the 2007 Legislative Session. I believe that when it comes to the safety of our children, there is no time to waste. The House and Senate made this issue a top priority and the Anti-Murder Bill passed unanimously in both chambers. The conviction of John Couey earlier this week is a grim reminder of the need to protect Floridians from those vicious offenders who use the privilege of probation to prey on our children. I am eager to sign the bill into law early next week.

This week was a great opportunity to see democracy at work. The process helps ideas become realities. As a former state legislator, I am continually amazed at the level of dedication members of the Florida Legislature demonstrate day-in and day-out. I am looking forward to accomplishing great things for the people of our state in the coming weeks.