Sheriff Lauds 12 of 17 Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation Members

CORRECTION: Senator Jack Latvala (R-16) received an A score by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for his legislative efforts. “Of particular note, Sen. Latvala was available to us throughout the session and stood by public safety in opposing the Open Carry legislation and serving in a leadership capacity in protecting public safety retirement benefits,” reported Lorelei Bowden-Jacob, legislative aide to Sheriff David Gee. “Additionally,” she added, Sen. Latvala “stood firm against the Red Light Repealer legislation.” The fifth legislator considered “unresponsive to the HCSO and public safety” was Rep. James Grant, who, the legislative aide noted, “in fact scored the lowest score of an legislator by our scoring standards.” The story below has been updated accordingly.

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The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at its second-quarter awards ceremony had good things to say about 12 members of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation -- and especially for the two members who received special appreciation awards.

"Overall, the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation  served Hillsborough County's citizens' safety needs extremely well, and the delegation as a whole stood out as a leadership delegation in the legislature this year," notes the prepared remarks read at the June 15 ceremony, held in the jail assembly room in Greater Brandon, at 520 North Falkenburg Road.

Throughout the session, sheriff’s office commanders “met continuously with most of the 16 members of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation to discuss issues that would affect the safety of Hillsborough County’s citizens,” said Col. Jim Previtera, in reading the prepared remarks.

The word “most” was emphasized, it was noted, “as there were several legislators who unfortunately remained unresponsive to our requests for meetings or support.”

Recognized as supportive were Senator Ronda Storms (R-10) and Rep. Richard "Rich" Glorioso (R-62), who received the Sheriff’s Special Appreciation Awards, and senators Arthenia L. Joyner (D-18), Jack Latvala (R-16) and Jim Norman  (R-12) and representatives Jim Boyd (R-68), Janet Cruz (D-58), Shawn Harrison (R-60), Betty Reed (D-59), Darryl Rouson (D-55) and W. Gregory “Greg” Steube (R-67).

"Each of these legislators were not only continuously accessibe to discuss public safety concerns with us, but also actively provided leadership in the legislature on key public safety issues," Previtera said in giving the prepared remarks.

Not making the list of legisltors: representatives Rachel Burgin (R-56), James W. “J.W.” Grant (R-47), Seth McKeel (R-63), Will Weatherford  (R-61) and Dana Young (R-57).

Among the key pieces of legislation this year were measures involving pension reform, pretrial release, the repeal of red-light cameras, the open carry of firearms and a juvenile civil citation program.

"Sheriff [David] Gee asked our legislative staff to scour our legislators for their positions on key public safety legislation," Previtera noted. "Both Senator Storms and Representative Glorioso scored with the highest score possible, both for their accessibility for discussion and for their vocal advocacy in committee meetings and on the floor of their respective legislative bodies."

For Storms, it was noted that "this year, more than another other Hillsborough County legislator, she proactively reached out to the sheriff's office to gather facts pertaining to filed legislation" and that in meetings "she asked questions that quickly went to the heart of the issue."

Glorioso was noted for his opposition to "the costly and counter-productive pretrial release legislation" and to the repeal of red-light cameras at roadway intersections.

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