Neal Political Achievements

Vision, tenacity and an ability to coalesce decision makers from public and private sectors enabled Pat Neal to lead the Florida Senate through tough budget negotiations and secure underwriting for important economic stimulus projects.

Senate Appropriations Committee – Neal Delivered

Spearheading negotiations on behalf of District 24 was no small task and Pat Neal’s leadership garnered significant funding for many important projects including:

• More than $53 million for District state road projects from 1982-86
• Construction of Manatee County Health Center with 50 percent in state funding
• Three-year commitment of state funds to the G. T. Bray Recreation Complex
• Funding for State’s first Game Hatchery at Port Manatee
• $26 million road construction program for State Road 80 for multiple lanes and establishment of Department of Transportation Office in Ft. Myers
• Funding allocation for Manatee Community College construction projects on both campuses
• University of South Florida campus land acquisition program
• New College library construction project funding
• Funding for Agricultural Research Station in Immokalee
• Design and right-of-way acquisition for U.S. 17 in Hardee County
• Assured future of the G. Pierce Wood Hospital as one of the state’s last remaining major mental health institutions and support for additional staff positions

Legislative Initiatives & Honors

From Florida builder and developer to businessman and legislator, Pat Neal’s relentless commitment to preserving and protecting the environment has been instrumental in getting key legislation passed as well as setting new standards by which other Florida builders and developers have followed.  He has been honored with every state environmental award given to members of the Legislature. A snapshot of Pat Neal’s political appointments and honors include:

• Florida State Senator, 1978-1986
• Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
• Chairman, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
• Florida House of Representatives, 1974-1978
• Florida Commission on Ethics Member, 2000-2004, Chair 2005, 2006
• The Trust for Public Land Advisory Board Member, 2001-2004
• Florida TaxWatch Board of Directors, 1989 and 2000 to present
• Four-time recipient of the Florida Association of Community Colleges Legislative Service Award
• Florida Audubon Society Legislative Award, 1983
• Allen Morris Award for Most Effective Member of the Senate in Committee, 1984
• Sierra Club Legislative Award, 1984

“Neal’s leadership in the Florida Senate was a key factor in passage of the most important environmental bill in ten years; the water quality assurance act of 1983.”
— Charles Lee, (former) Vice President of the Florida Audubon Society

Chairman of Commission on Ethics

As the guardian of the standards of conduct for the officers and employees of the state,

Pat Neal’s reputation and accomplishments as both a political and business leader garnered him a prestigious appointment on the Florida Commission on Ethics in 2000, on which he served until 2004 before becoming Chairman for 2005-2006.

“Senator Neal’s high level of integrity, impeccable credentials and public service as a former state Senator and state Representative and his professional business experience give him the insight necessary to address issues that come before the Ethics Commission.”
— Senate President Toni Jennings, July 2000, in announcing Pat Neal’s appointment

Highlights of initiatives during Pat Neal’s Legislative career include:

Asolo State Theatre

 As Appropriations Chairman, in 1985 Pat Neal along with Senate President Harry Johnson undertook the responsibility of enhancing Florida’s Department of State and University Systems’ cultural presence by spearheading an initiative to appropriate funds for the Asolo State Theatre in Sarasota. This $7 million investment created a new nationally recognized performing arts facility that is now associated with Florida State University.

EP Green Bridge

Originally built in the mid 1920’s, the Green Bridge became an important economic pipeline across the Manatee River that connected Bradenton to Palmetto. Named for E.P. Green, Manatee county's representative to the State Road Department and former Mayor of Bradenton, the Green Bridge had fallen into disrepair and posed potential safety issues.

Both historically and economically significant, the Bridge needed to be replaced and in the early 1980s, Pat Neal was instrumental in getting the needed $14 million in funding allocated as part of his work on the Appropriations Committee. In addition to providing an employment and economic boost to the region, the new bridge project added a line of Royal Palms along the riverbank sidewalk and The Memorial Pier (preserved remains of the original bridge) was named in honor of Manatee county's veterans of World War I. 

Florida’s First Wetlands Act

As Chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, in 1983, Pat Neal, in partnership with Representative and House Chairman Jon Mills, developed and obtained approval for Florida’s first Comprehensive Wetlands Management Act.

 For the first time in Florida’s history, the state now had a comprehensive, legislative definition of wetlands, as well as adopting criteria to publicly test wetlands impact. The Act also put in place a mitigation replacement and enhancement strategy and the adoption of the No Net Loss Policy, which stand to this day as Florida’s primary wetlands preservation statute.

Mote Marine Laboratory Fish Enhancement Stock Project at Port Manatee

Built on 54 acres provided to the state by the Manatee County Port Authority, the Stock Enhancement Research Facility (SERF) at Port Manatee serves as an important research and education facility as well as an attraction for visitors, conducting outreach and education programs for all ages and groups. Anglers are encouraged to visit the marine hatchery to learn more about marine aquaculture, red drum biology and the role of stock enhancement in Florida's sport fisheries.

 Fueled by an initial $600,000 capital infusion for stock enhancement research and production spearheaded by Pat Neal, today, SERF, in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory (MML), is in the midst of their most aggressive redfish stocking effort to date, a large-scale enhancement project in Tampa Bay.

The goal of this project is to increase  the recreational catch rates in the bay and experimentally determine the best sizes and locations for stocking in order to meet that goal in the most cost-effective manner. Over a million redfish will be raised and released annually for the duration of this project.

Numerous Local Projects

In addition to the highlighted initiatives noted above, as Senate Appropriations Chair, Pat Neal spearheaded funding and approvals for dozens of local projects and initiatives, highlights of which include:

• Small Cities Community Block Grant Program, Bradenton – funding for new sewer plant
• Passage of a law allowing cities, counties and school boards to work together on joint projects with state grant money
• The Glens, Manatee County’s new mental health facility (1981)
• Paving projects in Manatee County including Cortez Road, Highway 301
• Computerized signals at Manatee Avenue stoplights
• Construction of a new library at Manatee Community College