User:Starrfruit/sandbox/2000-02 Florida Legislature

The 2000-02 Florida Legislature was the legislature of the U.S. state of Florida following the 2000 general election, occurring during the last two years of Governor Jeb Bush's first term. It was the 17th legislature convened under the 1968 Constitution and the 80th since statehood in 1845.

In the November 7, 2000 elections, the Republican Party maintained their 25-15 Senate majority, with both the Republicans and Democrats flipping one seat each. The Republicans gained four seats in the House of Representatives while the Democrats gained two, resulting in a 75-45 Republican majority. This was the first election in which the constitutional amendment limiting legislators to eight consecutive years in office went in effect. As a result of the term limits provision, 13 senators (33%) and 52 representatives (43%) who had served since 1992 or earlier were barred from reelection.

The legislature met in seven sessions: a one-day organization session on November 21, 2000; a special session ("A") held December 8–14, 2000; the 2001 regular session from March 6 to May 4; a special session ("B") held October 22-November 1, 2001; a special session ("C") held November 27-December 6, 2001; the 2002 regular session from January 22 to March 22; a special session ("D") held April 2–5, 2002; and another special session ("E") held April 29-May 14, 2002.

Senate
Membership changed with two resignations and two subsequent special elections, but the chamber's party balance remained constant.

House of Representatives
Membership was fairly stable, with only one resignation and subsequent special election.

Major legislation and events
The recount and lawsuit following the 2000 presidential election occurred at the start of this legislative term. As a result of the uncertainty during the recount litigation, the House Speaker and Senate President called a special session ("A") on December 8, in case a decisive conclusion was not reached before the date on which Florida's presidential electors were set to vote. CITE After the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bush v. Gore on December 12, which allowed the certification of George W. Bush as the winner of Florida's electoral votes to stand, the legislature adjourned on December 14 without having passed any legislation. CITE

The 2001 regular session resulted in several major pieces of legislation: Anticipating a reduction in tax revenue following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Governor Jeb Bush called a special session ("B") for October 22-November 1, 2001 to adjust the state budget. CITE The legislature passed several appropriations bills adjusting the budget. CITE Dissatisfied with that appropriation, Bush called another special session ("C") for November 27-December 6, which resulted in ... CITE

The 2002 regular session...: Because the legislature ended the regular session without passing a budget, in addition to several other pieces of legislation, Bush called a two special sessions in April and May to address those issues. The legislature met in four-day special session from April 2–5 ("D") to pass legislation relating to the Florida School Code, but the legislature couldn't agree on a bill. CITE Bush called a second special session from April 29-May 14 ("E") to pass a budget, as well as other issues. Several laws were passed, including ... CITE
 * pass a budget, o