Accomplishments

LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP

Cut Taxes – Supported Jeb Bush’s historic $1 billion tax cut plan in 1999 and has since slashed taxes by over $6 billion for all Floridians
Balancing Florida’s Budget the Right Way – Worked to balance Florida’s budget year in and year out while cutting taxes for families and job-creators every year that he served in the Senate
Fighting High Property Taxes – Sponsored and passed two constitutional amendments that, if passed by Florida voters this year, will save homeowners and renters millions of dollars in property taxes every year
Excellence in Education – In 2018, Tom increased funding for school readiness programs by over $126 million and supported the expansion of Florida’s Bright Future’s scholarship
Job-Saving Frivolous Lawsuit Reform – While Senate President, Tom helped pass the repeal of “joint and several liability”, a tort system that forced many businesses to needlessly fight frivolous lawsuits
Ethics Reform – Passed sweeping reforms in 2005 that required lobbyists to disclose their income from their clients for the first time in Florida history
Successful Pro-Life Legislator – Sponsored the first “Choose Life” license plate law to pass the Florida Legislature, supported Florida’s ban on partial-birth abortions, and as President helped pass Florida’s 2005 parental notification law, the first parental notification law to be held constitutional by state courts
Pro-Gun Rights – During his Senate presidency, Tom backed Florida’s landmark “Stand Your Ground” law. In 2018, Tom has also fought legislation that would limit the rights of gun owners in Florida
Strong on Crime – Supported Florida’s 10-20-Life and “Three strikes, you’re out” crime prevention bills

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Achievement Award (Litigation Reform)
Hillsborough Community College Distinguished Alumni
Theodore Roosevelt Society, Legislator of the Year
Sun Coast League of Municipalities, Bill Bartholomew Good Government Award
Hillsborough County Commission, Ellsworth Simmons Good Government Award
Florida League of Cities, Quality Floridian Award
Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Senator Tom Lee Leadership Award (presented annually to honor community leadership)
Florida Sheriffs Association, Legislator of the Year
Florida Sheriffs Association, Award for Leadership in Service to Law Enforcement
Florida Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Achievement Award
Florida Association of Realtors, Legislator of the Year
Florida Tax Collectors, Legislator of the Year
Sierra Club of Florida, Legislator of the Year
Florida Association of Post-Secondary Schools & Colleges, Legislator of the Year
The Wall Street Journal, Selected as a Rising Star in the Florida Senate
Florida Christian Coalition, Faith and Family Award
Florida Medical Association, Legislative Appreciation Award
American Planning Society, Legislator of the Year
Florida Restaurant Association, Government Relations Award
PACE Center for Girls, Legislative Leadership Award
Associated General Contractors of Florida, Legislator of the Year
American Cancer Society, Legislative Leadership Award
Florida Homebuilders Association, Legislator of the Year
Florida Tax Collectors Association, Legislative Appreciation Award
Independent Colleges and Universities, Guardian of Independent Education
Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, President’s Award

OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE

2018	Florida Constitutional Revision Commission
2014-16	Senate Appropriations Committee- Chairman
2004	Presidential Elector- Member
2004	George W. Bush for President- Florida Vice Chairman
2004	Republican National Convention- Delegate
2003	Senate Select Committee on Constitutional Amendment Implementation- Chairman
2000-04	Senate Rules and Calendar Committee- Chairman
2000	Florida Energy Policy 2020 Study Commission- Member
1999	Florida School Construction Finance Commission- Member
1998-00	Senate Regulated Industries Committee- Chairman
1998	Republican Party of Florida- Executive Committee Member
1998	Southern States Energy Board- Member
1996-06	Elected member of the Florida Senate
1992-95	Hillsborough County City/County Planning Commission- Member
1991-93	Hillsborough County Zoning Board of Adjustment- Member

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

2008-Present	A Kid’s Place- Board of Directors
2008-Present	Tampa Bay History Center- Board of Trustees
1998-06	Center Place Fine Arts and Cultural Center, Board of Directors
1998-03	Brandon Regional Hospital, Board of Trustees
1983-94	Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board
1998-94	Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
1986-Present	Brandon ’86 Rotary Club, Member
1986-92	Hillsborough Community College Foundation- Board of Directors
1987	Leadership Brandon- Program Chairman
1986	Leadership Brandon- Graduate

EDUCATION

University of Tampa
1984, B.S., Business

Hillsborough Community College
1982, Associate of Arts

Brandon Senior High School
1980 Graduate

PROFESSIONAL

Bank of Tampa
2007-Present

Member of the Advisory Board to the Brandon Division

Florida Senate President
2004-06

Provided management for all functions of the Senate and its staff
Established both executive and political organizational structures and defined leadership assignments for each of the 40 elected members of the Senate
Managed the development and implementation of Senate public policy agenda
Managed the development of the Senate’s version of the Florida State Budget and negotiated budgetary differences with the House of Representatives and the Governor
Such other broad powers and responsibilities as provided in the Florida Constitution and the Rules of the Florida Senate

Sabal Homes of Florida, Inc.
1984 – Present, Vice President & Director

Project feasibility assessment
Land acquisition and entitlements
Manage executive functions of finance, accounting, legal, insurance & personnel

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Since October 30, 1984

PERSONAL

Continuous resident of Hillsborough County for over 40 years.
Married, Laurel Moore Lee
Three children – Regan, Brandon and Faith.
Hobbies- golf and exercise.