By Kristen Butler, NYP Communications Co-Chair
Happy New Year, Tallahassee Young Professionals!
We’re looking forward to a great 2012, and we hope you are, too.
Legislative Session starts early this year, so winter in Tallahassee couldn’t be busier. If you’re not totally sure what it means, Session is the two months each year when Florida’s elected officials convene in Tallahassee to pass bills and figure out what Florida needs to do to grow and prosper while still protecting the health and safety of our citizens and visitors. Customarily it occurs in Spring, but this year, due to the requirement for districts to be redrawn every 10 years, lawmakers have an early deadline to get some things done. But that’s not all they’ll be doing – many a contentious issue is being debated and decided right in our backyard!
January 10 marked day one, and while this early session gives Tallahassee’s many politicos, lobbyists and special interest groups little time to rest after the holidays, it also gives you a great opportunity to dive right into our city to kick off 2012!
Here are four things you need to do during this Legislative session:
1. If you’re really interested in how the sausage is made, or if you can still sing the childhood ditty that taught us all how a bill becomes a law, you may want to head to the Capitol and see it happening for yourself. Sit in on a committee meeting, or wait until legislation actually hits the floor and watch the real debate, complete with legislators voting on a big “light-bright” board for all to see.
Truth be told by someone who has witnessed it (many times), this can get pretty boring, but it’s all part of how our state works. When you do inevitably get bored, take a field trip around the Capitol. Take the elevator up to the 22nd floor to check out the great panoramic view of Tallahassee. Then head back down to the fifth floor for a veritable candy smorgasboard. And don’t miss the peanut butter M&Ms.
2. Check out another fun and often food-related perk of experiencing Legislative Session up close and personal: each day features at least one sponsored “Day at the Capitol.” Almost every interest group across Florida with offices in Tallahassee, and some without, host a Day at the Capitol, and it’s a great opportunity to learn something and take in some culture.
“Days at the Capitol” are free to patronize, and showcase some of Tallahassee’s interesting associations and philanthropic interests, as well as many counties, cities and special interests across the state. Some personal favorite “Days at the Capitol”: Florida National Guard Day, which will be on January 24 this year, showcases a caravan of military vehicles and Miami-Dade County Day, which features the largest cauldron of paella you’ll likely ever see, is on February 1. Here is the most current list of scheduled days at the capitol: http://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/real_estate_development_management/facilities_management/capitol_complex_events
3. If you know anything about politics in Florida, a must-see is the Annual Press Skits, a night of tongue-in-cheek comedy based on Florida’s lawmakers and played out by the reporters who cover them. The fun event is being held at the Moon on January 24. It’s a crowd pleaser and a night of laughs, like a Saturday Night Live episode about Florida. For more info: http://www.capitolskits.com/
4. Hit up Adams Street for happy hour. Downtown Tallahassee is a whole different animal during session, and it’s really fun to see. The restaurants and bars, like Andrew’s and Clyde’s, are transformed into hotspots where you will see legislators, lobbyists and even college students convening at the same time. It’s a great boost for our economy, and if you’re lucky, you may even catch some of legislator/student schmoozing.
As a young professional in Tallahassee, I absolutely love when the Legislature is in town. There is an unmistakable buzz and life in the city that makes it downright vibrant. It’s also great to see so many people in town patronizing local establishments and boosting our economy. You simply do not want to miss experiencing it, so head downtown and get in on the action today!
