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Key Energy Player

January 15, 2012 - The Florida legislative session began last Tuesday, and the first week has been a whirlwind, and I'm ready to begin week two. I am proud to share with you that Lobbytools and their sister publication, The Current have named me one of the Key Players when it comes to energy policy, recognizing my knowledge and tenacity when it comes to renewable energy. The ranking is especially important because I have been working to achieve a more sustainable energy future with policies and programs promoting renewables, conservation, and efficiencies since before my election in 2008. I'm one of only a few Democrats recognized as a key player in any area of legislative policy.

Son of SB 6

March 17, 2011- I voted no on SB 736. Here are my remarks on the House Floor:

"As a mother and a teacher, I know how important it is to be effective in helping children learn. I also know that being an effective teacher is an art. It is difficult to define. What troubles teachers and others troubled about this bill is that this bill grapples what it is to be a good an effective teacher, without including teachers and parents in the discussion…This bill holds teachers accountable with new and experimental methods but does not hold the Florida Legislature accountable to determine if this experiment in educational reform will prove effective. We need to adopt simple, understandable, standardized measures to adequately compare Florida’s students with those of the best states in American and nations around the world."

My View: Let's Talk About It

February 25, 2011 - Anyone who has tried to catch a flight into or out of Tallahassee over the last few years knows there are fewer flights, smaller planes, and higher fares. The fact is, the number of people flying, as a direct result of fewer flights and higher fares has declined forty-four percent. This decline has serious consequences for our economic development and for the creation of jobs for the citizens of our entire region and the state.

I have recently authored a "My View" on the problems facing the Tallahassee Regional Airport.

Read it here.

Public Servants Speaking Out

February 20, 2010 - Congratulations to all the firefighters, law enforcement,state workers, who were brave and eloquent in their passionate plea forfairness and recognition that public servants are important to the survival andgrowth of this state. It was the first volley in what will be a tough battle.You all were terrific. I was impressed and moved by what I saw and heard. Many others were too.

Message From Michelle

Thank you for re-electing me the hardest job I've ever loved. I have enjoyed my service as your State Representative and will continue to work hard for you and our community! I have been fighting for a more forward thinking energy policy since before my election.

On Monday, May 7th, our campaign turned in enough candidate petition petition forms to qualify for the ballot without paying the state a fee. Thank you to the hundreds of you who responded to our E-Mail with signed petitions. Thanks too, to the volunteers who braved the hot sun to reach out to our neighbors and friends asking them to sign a petition. Qualifying by petition is important because it is good stewardship of the hard earned campaign contributuions many of you have already donated to our campaign. It will allow us to use the money for delivering our message of creative problem solving, working together, and sound public policy to make Florida strong!

On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, I was pleased to join hundreds of AFSCME members and support them as they began a day of meetings with their legislators. You can see my remarks here: AFSCME Rally

Tallahassee – Energy is the fundamental and paramount challenge facing Florida and the United States in the 21^st century. “What we use for energy and how we use energy effects national security, economic development, and jobs, public health and the environment. Solving our energy problems would not only make us safer and more competitive, but also create thousands of new jobs right here in Florida,” says State Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda.

Rehwinkel Vasilinda is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable members of the legislature on energy policy (see Lobbytools). Since her election in 2008, Rehwinkel Vasilinda has pursued an aggressive energy agenda that includes clearing the path for Floridians to lower their energy bills and have more control over their energy choices. She has developed proposals for a more free market approach to the energy industry to include distributed energy opportunities for Florida’s businesses as well as solutions to help Floridians conserve and be more efficient in using energy to run and heat their homes and businesses while lowering their energy costs and preserving the environment.

At the heart of her energy strategy are policies that remove barriers to allow Florida businesses to compete in national and international energy markets and produce domestic energy for our peninsula. “Florida has everything it takes to be number one in renewable energy, conservation, and efficiency. We have the sun for solar energy, good wind in areas around the state, and the climate to grow three crops of biodiesel plants per year when most states can only grow one. We also have an underutilized construction industry that could be put to work retrofitting homes and businesses to make them more energy efficient. This new industry cluster, if allowed to flourish, will create thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new businesses.” said Rehwinkel Vasilinda.

I encourage you to learn more about how I have voted and where I stand on many issues by clicking on the MY View tab to the right.

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Community Service

Written by Michelle
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Community and Professional Service Elected to the Florida House of Representatives, November 2008 Education: New College, Sarasota; University of Florida Law School J.D. Department of Legal Affairs, Attorney General, State of Florida, Civil Division August 1985-October 1985, Paralegal October 1985-March 1986, Attorney Assistant General Counsel, Department of Environmental Regulation June 1986-July 1989 Instructor, Tallahassee Community College extended Studies Program, September 1987-1988 Principle Professor, Tallahassee Community College, Legal Studies and Applied Ethics 1989-Present Founding Member: Oasis Center for Women and Girls Leadership Tallahassee Class XXIII Tallahassee Women Lawyers Board of Directors 2004-2006 American Association of University Women Board Member 2006-2007 Leon High School Foundation Board of Directors, Public Relations and Marketing Co-Chair 2005-2006 Greater Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce Co-Chair for Nuts and Bolts Program 2006-07, Nominating Committee for Board of Directors 06-07 Florida Bar, Paralegal Regulation Study Committee 2005-2006 Zonta International Women’s Service Organization Tallahassee Chapter Board Common Cause/Florida Board Member and Civic Education Chair Leon County Democratic Executive Committee Elected November, 2004 Tallahassee Girl’s Choir of Choice Honorary Board Member 2006 Leadership Tallahassee Class XXIII “Strength in Diversity” 2005-2006 NAACP, Tallahassee Branch Capital Tiger Bay Club of Tallahassee Children’s Campaign Supporter since 2005 and Invited Participant to the “5 Promises Legislative Agenda” Mayor’s Race Relations Summit Panel Moderator, October 2006. Gentiva Corporation Advisory Board of Advanced Home Health Care 1994-present Legal Services of North Florida 30th Anniversary Endowment Campaign 2007 United Faculty of Florida Union Member Capital City Democratic Women’s Club, Legislative Liaison Democratic Club of North Florida Advisor for Tallahassee Community College Democrat Club 2005-2007 North Florida for Democracy, Charter Revision & Membership Outreach Committee 2003-2004 Kerry Legal Team, October, November 2004 Bible Day Camp Teacher, Blessed Sacrament Church June 2004 P.A.C.E. School for Girls Board of Directors 1994-98 Girl Scout Assistant Leader 1991-2000 Montessori Cooperative Early School Personnel Committee, 1988-1989 Florida State Employees United Way Campaign DER Key Coordinator 1986-1988
Last Updated ( Saturday, 17 October 2009 )

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MIchelle's Bio

Fairness and Respect

We must reclaim respect and fairness for Florida's public servants and work to solve the health care crisis in Florida, particularly as it effects our most vulnerable: our children, our elderly, and our sick.
Work

Michelle has been continuously employed as a life guard, waitress, lawyer and community college professor, helping to support her family since she was fourteen.
The Early Years

Class President 1974
Student Government 1974-76
Lettered Varsity Soccer & Track Teams 1974-77
1st New York State Key Club President
Canandaigua Academy, NY
Susan B. Anthony

Michelle grew up close to where Susan B. Anthony campaigned relentlessly for suffrage. Here is one of her favorite quotes: “It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.”
~Susan B. Anthony
Public Service

Michelle fell in love with the founding fathers in 4th grade and has wanted to be a public servant ever since!
Ahead of the Curve

Michelle developed, wrote, and oversaw the process for the Request for Proposal/Invitation to Bid for Tallahassee Community College’s venture into new learning technologies.
asynchronous learning

Michelle developed and wrote content for 14 Legal Studies Program Courses offered online. Her's was the first full program to be offered completely online.
Soccer

Michelle played varsity soccer throughout her high school career and encourages her daughters to stay active.
Early Graduate

Michelle graduated high school in just 3 years!
Environmental Protection

Michelle spent 4 years as an enforcement attorney for the Department of Environmental Protection (Now DEP) before joining Tallahassee Community College.
Michelle Moved to Florida

Michelle moved to Florida in 1977 to attend New College. Accepted to Cornell, her grandfather convinced her to come south.
Michelle attended

New College in Sarasota. Then graduated from the University of Florida Law School.

Photo Gallery

Michelle at a Family Celebration

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, Democrat, for State Representative, District 9