Sam Garrison
Posted 12/27/23
Just across from Bradley’s district office is the district office of Rep. Sam Garrison. The self-described “legislative lineman” is slated to become the next Speaker of the Florida …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, below, or purchase a new subscription.
Please log in to continueDon't have an ID?Print subscribersIf you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribersClick here to see your options for subscribing. Single day passYou also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass. |
Sam Garrison
Rep. Sam Garrison represents northern Clay County. He serves as the Healthcare Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman in the Florida House.
Florida House of Representatives - Robert Hunter
Posted
Just across from Bradley’s district office is the district office of Rep. Sam Garrison. The self-described “legislative lineman” is slated to become the next Speaker of the Florida House, contingent upon Republicans retaining a majority in 2024.
“It would be such an honor. First, I need to be reelected and continue caring for things at home. But I’m proud of what this means for our community,” he said. “When doors open, I walk through and never allow myself to be outworked.”
Garrison currently serves as Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, where he oversees allocating healthcare’s budget of $49 billion – nearly half of Florida’s total budget of $115 billion.
“The only constitutional requirement of a state representative is implementing a balanced budget. That’s the bare minimum,” he said.
Garrison is committed to getting the most “bang” for the billions of “bucks.” He sponsored legislation that expanded resources for biomedical centers researching cancer treatments. He is opposed to expanding Medicaid across the state and the resulting costs that would occur. However, he supports the Florida KidCare Programs – Medicaid, MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids and the Children’s Medical Services Health Plan – which provide health and dental insurance for children up to 18.
“My No. 1 priority is mental health,” he said. “Since I first ran for office in 2020, everyone has been touched by an acute crisis: anxiety, depression and suicide. We need to figure out why. Then, we need to appropriate resources to fix these issues in a post-COVID world. This is the biggest challenge of our generation.”
Garrison believes the mental health crisis is at the root of many issues that plague the state.
“Substance abuse, addiction and mental health are linked,” he said, referring to the opioid epidemic.
Garrison admires current Speaker Paul Renner as his mentor. He is grateful for his relationships with Payne, Bradley and Sheriff Michelle Cook. Cooperation is what makes the county special, he said.
“Clay County has developed a reputation in Tallahassee where the leadership can be trusted and depended on,” he said, mentioning the speakership of John Thrasher as an influence. “We’ll have a big voice. It’ll be an important role that touches on all aspects of Florida.
“Everyone is going to know Clay County. I won’t let them forget it.”
get social