FORECAST 2018: Bobby Olszewski

Since elected as the House Representative for District 44, Bobby Olszewski has filed five bills, three appropriations and plans to run for re-election in 2018.

By Brittany Gaines
| 10:27 a.m. January 8, 2018

Florida State Rep. Bobby Olszewski balances time in Tallahassee with time at home with daughter, Reagan, and wife, Allison.

West Orange Times & Observer
News

Stepping onto the House floor for the first time, a sense of pride and gratitude filled Bobby Olszewski, the

A WIFE’S PERSPECTIVE

What is it like being the wife of a politician?
Bobby is a wonderful husband and the best dad to Reagan. He always knows how to make her laugh. We work together as a team in everything we do, because this is our hometown community, and it feels great that we get to help make it even better for our daughter. We also get to meet many interesting people and share unique experiences because of his public service.

I guess it goes with the territory of being a wife of an elected official, but just like all spouses, I could do without the negative attacks on my husband. Bobby is a good and honorable man, so when the same blatant lies are used over and over again during campaigns, it is hurtful and exhausting. However, the great majority of public service is very inspirational. The best part is seeing the passion that Bobby has when working so hard for our community and being able to hear directly from people who he has helped.

How do you balance supporting your husband’s career with being a mother and teacher?
Bobby is so supportive and encouraging of my career at Orange County Public Schools (for which) I am currently teaching at Independence Elementary in Horizon West. I love teaching and serving families in our community. As a family, we are truly a team. We make family time a priority. We also like to take Reagan with us to most community events. We are excited for her to meet new people and see different places. Sometimes, the events are a little too late for her and she gets to spend time with her grandparents, which she absolutely loves, too. Ultimately, we are blessed to be a great team and have our wonderful family nearby.

recently elected District 44 State Representative. It was a moment that had been months in the making.

After serving two terms as the District 3 Winter Garden commissioner, Olszewski ran for the District 1 Orange County Commission seat in 2016. It was only after he lost the race that he set his sights on Tallahassee.

“I believe everything happens for a reason, and although we all have moments where we know we could have done better, I would not change a thing,” Olszewski said of the path that took him to Tallahassee.

After winning the special election Oct. 10 and replacing Eric Eisnaugle, who resigned in 2017, Olszewski wasted no time in getting to work. By Oct. 11, he was in Tallahassee working on policies and legislation.

“It has been an exciting few months being up in our state capitol participating in committee meetings and drafting legislation to prepare for the upcoming session starting in January,” Olszewski said. “I have enjoyed meeting and working with all of my colleagues, as well as House leadership, to make a positive impact in both District 44 and throughout our state.”

According to Olszewski, it was his time spent serving on the Winter Garden City Commission that helped prepare him for his new role.

“I was blessed to have been elected to two terms as a Winter Garden commissioner, where I was already tested as a public servant,” he said. “I worked with my constituents to ensure all voices were heard, and I am doing the same thing as a state representative, except now on a larger scale. It is truly important to me that I represent all of the people I serve, which is why I have always tried to make myself accessible to all of my constituents. These experiences allow me to represent our community up in Tallahassee with passion each and every day.”

SETTLING IN
Over the last two-and-one-half months, Olszewski has been hard at work and already has filed five bills and three appropriations.

“To be a great public servant in the Florida House of Representatives, you have to work hard for your constituents, prove yourself to colleagues and form great working relationships to get things done for your community,” he said. “Serving in the Legislature is truly a team sport, and I want to be a valued colleague and an influential lawmaker for my constituents. It is refreshing to work with many talented individuals from around our state with the goal of making our quality of life in Florida even better for generations to come.”

There are several causes in particular that Olszewski holds close to his heart: removing government regulations, helping small businesses succeed, animal welfare and education.

“As the son of a retired public school teacher and the husband of a current OCPS teacher, I’ve been raised to understand the importance of an education and how knowledge can open doors for your life,” he said. “I believe we need to empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children, making sure they have the right resources invested to fulfill their children’s unique educational goals and circumstances.”

Bills and appropriations filed by Bobby Olszewski

HB 487: An act relating to trauma-informed services for children; prohibiting a child who has suffered sexual exploitation from being placed in a generic shelter setting when safe-harbor or trauma-informed housing is not available; requiring the Department of Children and Families to assemble a team of specified experts to determine the safest placement for the child; providing criteria for placement.

HB 555: An act relating to deferred presentment transactions; revising the maximum interest, fees and charges that deferred presentment providers or their affiliates may charge, collect or receive in deferred presentment transactions.

HB 559: An act relating to Florida black bears; prohibiting the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from allowing the recreational hunting of Florida black bears mothering cubs that weigh less than 100 pounds under a black bear hunting permit; specifying a penalty for the unlawful harvesting of saw palmetto berries on state lands; authorizing the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to designate certain habitats and to update such habitat information as necessary; prohibiting prescribed burns in certain designated habitats during specified times.

HB 851: An act relating to lost or abandoned property; providing for the disposal of lost or abandoned personal property found on the premises of certain theme parks, entertainment complexes or other specified facilities; specifying procedures as to the property's disposal; authorizing the rightful owner to claim lost or abandoned property at any time before its disposal.

HB 907: An act relating to emergency evacuation of domestic companion and service animals; prohibiting certain persons from leaving a domestic companion anima or service animal outdoors and unattended when an area is under an evacuation order; specifying alternatives if such an animal cannot be evacuated with the owner; providing penalties; providing constructions.

HB 981: An act relating to electric and hybrid vehicles; requiring the Florida Transportation Commission to review all sources of revenue for transportation infrastructure and maintenance projects and prepare a report to the governor and the Legislature when the commission determines that electric and hybrid vehicles make up a certain percentage or more of the total number of vehicles registered in this state; authorizing the commission, in consultation with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, to use certain commercially available data; requiring the commission, in consultation with the Division of Emergency Management, to make an assessment of transportation infrastructure with respect to emergency evacuations and electric vehicles; requiring a long-range transportation plan to consider infrastructure and technological improvements necessary to accommodate the increased use of autonomous technology and electric vehicles.

HB Appropriations Request 354: For fiscal year 2018-19, the nonrecurring sum of $2.7 million from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to the Agency for Health Care Administration to fund Health Central Hospital (Orlando Health) Disproportionate Share Hospital Funding.

HB Appropriations Request 451: For fiscal year 2018-19, the nonrecurring sum of $2 million from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection to fund the town of Oakland Wastewater Collection System.

HB Appropriations Request 1284: For fiscal year 2018-19, the nonrecurring sum of $2 million from the State Transpiration (Primary) Trust Fund is appropriated to the Department of Transportation to fund the Real Time Monitoring and Prediction of Reduced Visibility Events on Florida's Highways.

FAMILY AFFAIR
Since winning the special election, life for Olszewski has been become a balancing act between serving in Tallahassee and supporting his family at home, but he largely credits his wife with keeping his busy schedule balanced.

“My wife, Allison, is the CEO of our household, so she deserves all the credit for helping me balance my time to ensure I am not neglecting any area during this exciting journey,” he said. “There have been a lot of wonderful curve balls thrown at us in our life lately, and we work together as a team to ensure I do not over-serve one need only to miss out on another important one.”

And one of Olszewski’s top priorities is being a father to his 1-year-old daughter, Reagan.

“Waking up every day knowing Allison and I are responsible for the health, well-being and care of our child is an overwhelming honor and responsibility,” Olszewski said. “There is no greater gift than being Reagan’s dad, as she is an endless source of pure joy and love. Her smile lights up a room, and it is so fun to watch her learn something new every day.”

READY FOR MORE
Although his term only lasts until November 2018, Olszewski already has filed for re-election.

“I … would be honored to continue to represent District 44,” he said. “My current focus is the legislative session and getting as much done as possible for our community, but expect me to be knocking at your door again very soon asking you once again to Vote Bobby O in 2018.”

Until then, he plans to continue collaborating with his fellow legislators to ensure the upcoming session helps District 44 thrive.

“We need to instill sound public policy that allows our community to meet its challenges head on and continue to grow in a way that meets the many needs of our residents, businesses and communities,” Olszewski said. “I will be our community’s advocate in Tallahassee, because I will work collaboratively with all of our state legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle to protect what makes our community and state so great. District 44 can be assured we have a legislative representative who knows this community forward and backward and is advocating exclusively for our community’s success.”