Charles McBurney (politician)
| Charles McBurney | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 16 district | |
| In office 2007-2016 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Mahon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Walker McBurney, Jr. June 6, 1957 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Deborah H. McBurney |
| Children | Madeline, Katherine Turpin (step-daughters) |
| Residence | San Jose |
| Alma mater | University of Florida |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
Charles McBurney (born June 6, 1957) is a Jacksonville, Florida lawyer who was elected in 2007 as the Representative from district 16 in the House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Florida.
Biography
He was born Charles Walker McBurney, Jr. in Orlando, Florida and grew up there. He received his Bachelors degree from the University of Florida in 1979, and his Juris Doctorate from UF in 1982. He was admitted to the Florida Bar on November 5, 1982.[1]
McBurney moved to Jacksonville, Florida and first worked as an associate at Mathews, Osborne, McNalt, Gobelman and Cobb until he was hired by State Attorney Harry Shorstein in 1984. He was a Senior Trial Assistant at the State Attorney's Office until leaving in 1990 to become a partner at Fischette, Owen, Held & McBurney. He later started his own firm.[2]
McBurney married the former Deborah Halligan on Valentine's Day in 1998, and he has two step-daughters, Katherine and Madeline from his current marriage. He has been an officer or director of more than 20 civic organizations, and his stepfather was former state House speaker and 20-year Congressman Bill Chappell, Jr..[3][4]
Politics
In 2000, McBurney spent a year campaigning for State Representative in district 16, but lost to Mark Mahon. McBurney did not challenge Mahon in 2004, stating: "After Mark got in, it made no sense to run against an incumbent. But I grew up in a political family, so the interest has always been there, and my background has given me first-hand involvement with issues on a state level."[4]
When Governor Charlie Crist appointed Mahon to circuit judge in 2007, McBurney won a special election to fill Mahon's seat, and he has been re-elected subsequently.
Viva Florida 500 Year Resolution
During the 2013 legislative session McBurney sponsored HR9037, the Viva Florida 500 Year resolution. The resolution designates 2013 as the "Viva Florida 500 Year" and recognizes Florida's 500 years of history, since the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon first landed on Florida in 1513. The resolution encourages communities and citizens to celebrate and participate in 500 year commemoration activities.[5] The website vivaflorida.org/ was set up to inform citizens of the local events celebrating Florida's 500 years of history.[6]
State Trooper Controversy
In November 2012, McBurney and his wife were driving on Interstate 10 to a legislative session in Tallahassee. Trooper Charles Swindle pulled over McBurney and alleged that McBurney was driving 87 miles per hour. After verifying that McBurney was a legislator, Swindle "cut him a break"[7] by only giving him a ticket for not having proof of insurance, a minor violation. Swindle later claimed there was an "unwritten policy" to not ticket legislators. McBurney admitted that his cruise was set five miles above the speed limit, but denied going 87, and insisted that he had proof of insurance, which the trooper did not request. Claiming he was outraged by Swindle's conduct, McBurney lodged a complaint with the head of the Florida Highway Patrol, stating, "I didn’t think that what he did was proper. I didn’t think that was the way he should have acted towards me, or anyone else for that matter. I felt obligated to write the letter. My concern was, if he did that to me, he would do that to anybody."[7] After an investigation by the state inspector general, Swindle was fired for violating department rules, but he is appealing that action.[7][8][9]
Following a May 29, 2013 Public Employee Relations Commission hearing, the hearing officer ruled that "The professional courtesy for legislators is discussed at the training academy for new troopers, is reinforced by supervisors, and is informally discussed among other employees,"[10] and recommended that Swindle be reinstated with a punishment of three weeks suspension without pay.[10]
References
- ↑ "Find a Lawyer". The Florida Bar. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ "Representative Charles W. McBurney, Jr.'s Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ "Member Information". State of Florida. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rushing, J. Taylor (June 30, 2007). "Mahon attains circuit court post". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ Florida House of Representatives, Viva Florida 500 Year, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=50877 Retrieved on Sept 12, 2013
- ↑ Viva Florida 500 http://www.vivaflorida.org/ Retrieved on Sept 12, 2013.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Bousquet, Steve (March 26, 2013). "State trooper fired over traffic stop involving legislator". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ "Cop opts not to ticket politician, who gets mad — and gets cop fired". MSN Now. March 29, 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ Bousquet, Steve (May 28, 2013). "Nine lawmakers won't have to testify in fired state trooper case". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Dixon, Matt (June 10, 2013). "Hearing officer recommends reinstatement for fired trooper, says FHP has "unwritten" policy for lawmakers". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 10 June 2013.