Most of the commentators are already declaring this legislative session as one of the worst ever. Most assume – perhaps correctly – that the legislature will lack the courage or vision or competence to adequately deal with raging unemployment, a mortgage foreclosure crisis, and a full-blown multi-billion dollar budget crisis. While I probably am inclined to agree with that assessment, I still hold out hope if we are able to resist the lesser impulses that too often dominate this place.

First, don’t just think about the next election cycle. We need to aim for the long view. Too many politicians are more worried about their next election instead of the next generation. If all we do is fret about the hemorrhaging; if all we do is bail out the water without repairing the holes, then ultimately we will have done nothing to address the deep fault lines of our state that existed before this recession but were easier to ignore when we could live off the fumes of growth. So I believe now is the perfect time to figure out what went wrong with Florida and how we fix it.

Second, don’t cut public education in order to pass special interest tax breaks. Florida’s problem is that for too long growth has been our main industry and optimism our primary policy. Our failure to invest in our workforce education has left too many citizens without the prospects of obtaining greater opportunities. Tax breaks don't attract high wage or knowledge-based industries in the long term. An educated workforce does. Our people instinctively know this. That is why parents are up in arms over cuts to our K-12 system; and thousands of Floridians are turning to community colleges and higher ed to improve their own opportunities. Public education has to be the priority.

Third, don’t be distracted with ideological frolics. Focus on jobs and job training (public education). Stay away from those digressions that seem irresistible to many. Don’t enter the redistricting fray; just let the voters decide it in November. Resist voucher expansions, instead focusing on thoughtful accountability; and step back from issues of reproductive rights which always find their way into the discourse. I know that dealing with the economy isn’t as fun as a good social issue – but right now it’s all about jobs and schools!

And finally, don’t nationalize state issues. I am as big a fan of irony as the next guy, but it is a little extreme to see all my Florida Republican colleagues blasting the stimulus money – the same money they voted to include in the budget last year; and the same money that will be keeping our schools and hospitals open next year.

This is an opportunity for leadership because these are – as my 5 year old son Max would call them – big boy decisions.