Florida Banking April 2023

working with President Passidomo and Governor DeSantis to build on these successes. When it comes to economic freedom, the “Florida Way” is the right way. Q: How would you encourage Florida bankers to engage in the legislative process? One of my top priorities this session is to protect Floridians and their pensions by standing up to ESG investing practices. Bankers should not be pressured to make loan decisions based on political considerations, but rather on strictly qualitative financial factors relied on by lenders for centuries. Banks should be empowered to perform their role as they always have, without pressure to choose sides politically. I would encourage Florida bankers to follow the legislative process and share their feedback with me and their respective legislators. Your practical knowledge of the banking and finance industry is a valuable addition to the conversation.

Legislative Leaders, Continued from page 11

to prepare Florida for the future. Unfortunately, Washington’s wasteful spending continues to add fuel to the inflationary fire. Rising costs of food, housing and energy are pushing many Floridians to their breaking point. We can only hope that Washington starts handling its business the Florida Way. Q: How do you expect the Legislature to help spur economic activity and job growth in Florida under your leadership? In Florida, we’re committed to reducing taxes, tackling runaway insurance costs, and making housing more affordable, especially for our growing workforce. Recent record low unemployment rates prove that keeping our state open for business helped us rebound quickly from the Covid-19 pandemic. I look forward to

MEET HOUSE SPEAKER PAUL RENNER

H ouse Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast) was elected by the House Republican Conference in September 2021 to serve as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2022-24 term. He most recently chaired the Republican House Campaign Committee, leading the historic triumph of an 85-member supermajority of Republicans elected to the Florida House. Speaker Renner’s service in the Florida House began in 2015, and has been subsequently re-elected. He represents Flagler County and sections of St. Johns County as part of District 19. Speaker Renner is a combat military veteran and accomplished business attorney who began his legal career prosecuting felony offenses as an assistant state attorney. He served as a

Naval officer both on active duty and in the reserves. His deployments include the combat operations aboard the USS McInerney (FFG-8) to liberate Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm. In 2011, he served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom as a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He was recognized with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his work as an Intelligence Officer leading a counter terrorism team in Afghanistan. Speaker Renner grew up in Northeast Florida, where he attended public school. He earned his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in history at Davidson College in North Carolina. He lives in Palm Coast with his wife, Adriana, and their children, Abby and Will.

12 — FLORIDA BANKING THE VOICE OF FLORIDA BANKING