House Speaker-to-be Ray Sansom said at an orientation for new members Wednesday that Florida faces "some of the most challenging times in Florida's history, maybe the most challenging time," according to a report by the News Service of Florida. The news agency reported that Sansom was a bit testy when asked about the timing of a planned Republican retreat at the elegant WaterColor resort near Destin in such tough economic times.

Sansom, R-Destin, noted that the retreat is funded by the Republican Party, not with tax money, and that it's needed. “It's important for our members to get together and talk about what's important for the next two years,” he said, according to the News Service. House Democrats plan their own retreat this month, at the headquarters of a teachers union, the Florida Education Association, near the Capitol.

Sansom also had direct advice for the 35 House newcomers. "Tallahassee
is not your home," he said, according to the News Service of Florida.
"It is a place you come and do business for people in the state of
Florida ... Don't get disconnected from your district. Don't get
disconnected from the people that sent you here."

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