Knights in Office — 2015

Eight UCF alumni take their seats for the 2015 Florida legislative session 

Florida Sen. Jack Latvala was a proud papa on March 3, 2015, as his son, Chris Latvala, ’04, took his newly elected seat on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives.

By Angie Lewis, ’03

On Tuesday, March 3, a new legislative session began in the Florida House of Representatives, where eight Knights are in position to help promote their alma mater. They include:

• Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando (District 46)
• Rep. Randolph Bracy, ’07, D-Ocoee (District 45)
• Rep. Steve Crisafulli, ’96, R-Merritt Island (District 51)
• Rep. Mike La Rosa, ’04, R-St. Cloud (District 42)
• Rep. Chris Latvala, ’04, R-Clearwater (District 67)
• Rep. David Richardson, ’79, D-Miami Beach (District 113)
• Rep. Rene “Coach P” Plascencia, ’96, R-Orlando (District 49)
• Rep. Dwayne Taylor, ’92, D-Daytona Beach (District 26)

Click on their links above to view each representative’s photos, committee memberships, and member and contact information.

During opening day remarks, newly elected House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, ’96, presented his “Work Plan 2015” agenda, developed in partnership with Senate President Andy Gardiner and colleagues, saying, “Let’s put aside the politics and work together to pass our agenda — an agenda that will put the average Floridian on firmer ground and pave a stronger path for Florida,” he added.

The specific legislative priorities for the University of Central Florida are to:

• Secure the necessary funding for the downtown presence, a joint-use campus between UCF and Valencia College, projected to open in fall of 2017.
• Secure the necessary investments for UCF’s Partnership IV building in order to protect and sustain the Department of Defense Modeling, Simulation and Training cluster in Central Florida.
• Support the statewide economic development project funding requests for the Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center in Osceola County.

Knights Advocates are looking forward to a productive 2015 legislative session. Stay tuned for alerts on important issues!

Congratulations to all of our alumni representatives! Go Knights! Charge On!