Springing Forward

Spring is in the air, and with it the sweet smell of renewal.

Florida may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of the transition from winter to spring. There is no snow to melt and the flowers never really stop blooming.

Still, the season brings with it longer, sunnier days. This year, as with many years, that’s true both literally and figuratively.

We skipped our usual legislative preview this year because, let’s face it, it felt a little pro forma. Gov. Ron DeSantis, with his decisive re-election victory in November and overseeing supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature, is going to get everything he wants.

Gone are the food fights that used to mark Legislative Session, where priorities among the Senate President, House Speaker and Governor didn’t always align, even if their parties did.

So we fast forward this year to, if we’re going to stick with the spring metaphors, Florida’s class of spring chickens, the 2023 Rising Stars.

This list is punctuated by professionals in every corner of The Process — from lobbying to regulation, from the private sector to the public sector, and everything in between. They’re government relations folks. They’re public relations pros. They’re industry wonks.

And they’re all still early in their careers, proving that Florida’s young talent is paving the way for generations of advocacy, policy and progress in the Sunshine State.

We also look to the Everglades, where renewal is ongoing. As ace environmental reporter Wes Wolfe points out, restoration in South Florida’s ecological gem represents a rare success that marries industry needs, regulatory musts and public input, even as efforts continue. Finally, as new outlets pour into our state to unveil their various lists and rankings, we’re unveiling our own definitive list of health care influencers, compiled and analyzed by Florida Politics’ own Christine Jordan Sexton, the preeminent health care reporter in the state.

As you flip through the pages of this edition, blooming with content highlighting one of the nation’s most-watched capitols, we remind you to stay tuned for our Golden Rotundas coming in July.

For now, and until then, we hope you enjoy the read … and find time to stop and smell the flowers.

Peter Schorsch Publisher

Peter@FloridaPolitics.com

PUBLISHER Peter Schorsch

DIRECTOR OF Phil Ammann OPERATIONS

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Ryan Nicol

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Christy Jennings

CONTRIBUTORS

Rosanne Dunkelberger A.G. Gancarski

Andrew Meachem Ryan Nicol

Jacob Ogles Jesse Scheckner Drew Wilson Alex Workman

ART Bill Day Jordan Gibson

STAFF

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Allison Davis Colin Hackley

Abby Hart Alex Workman

DIGITAL SERVICES Daniel Dean MANAGER

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INFLUENCE Magazine is published quarterly by Florida Politics, LLC, a subsidiary of Extensive Enterprises Media, LLC. 204 37th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33704. INFLUENCE Magazine and Extensive Enterprises Media are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. Editorial contributions are welcomed and encouraged, but will not be returned. INFLUENCE Magazine reserves the right to publish any letters to the editor. Copyright April 2023, Extensive Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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126 A Diagnosis Of Power

Accounting for nearly a third of the state’s annual budget and touching every Florida resident, health care is a massive undertaking. A wealth of concerns, differing priorities and limited funds mean stakeholders must compete for attention — and dollars. Meet the people who are at the top of their game when it comes to the health of Floridians.

68 INFLUENCE’S 2023 Risings Stars

Whatever their position in The Process, with brains, ambition and hard work, these millennials — and a healthy minority of Gen Z-ers — have put themselves on the fast track to success.

158 Restoring the Everglades

Thirty years after the Everglades Forever Act passed, restoring Florida’s “river of grass” can be counted as a success with cooperation between state, local and national governmental entities and other stakeholders, including farmers.

168 What I’ve Learned

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry reflects on his triumphs and challenges as the top executive of Florida’s largest city and looks toward the future — whatever that might be.