Audubon's Mary Jean Yon presents today's "Quality Time" profile feature with Representative Steve Crisafulli, a Republican representing the Brevard & Orange County area. Rep. Crisafulli plays a key role in many environmental issues as Chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee. An open door and a willingness to listen to all sides have long been characteristics of his that we admire. Let us know what you think in the comment section below or on our Facebook Page. Enjoy!

Looking back at the 2012 Regular Session, what would you say is your proudest accomplishment?

• My proudest accomplishment, personally, was to continue to sponsor and pass legislation that streamlines the way that government runs.  I was able to accomplish this by passing the Statewide ERP (Environmental Resource Permitting) bill for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the DACS (Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) bill, and the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) bill, along with voting for numerous other pieces of legislation that also streamlined state government.

What is the best advice you have ever received and who gave it to you?

• “The right decision may not always be the most popular.” My grandfather Vassar B. Carlton, a former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, gave me that advice.

What is the favorite outdoor activity for you and your family that you enjoy doing together?

• My favorite outdoor activity to participate in with my family is hunting.  From the time I could walk, I grew up hunting with my grandfather, father, and brother.  Still to this day, I hunt with my father and brother and have now started to share this time in the outdoors with my two daughters.

There is a rich history of citrus throughout your family. Any remnants of that business left?

• Yes, there is, but not nearly as much as there once was.  Disease and extreme weather conditions over the years have certainly been a large contributor to the demise of citrus on our properties.  Many of our properties are now improved pasture for the family cattle operation.

Are you active on Facebook and/or Twitter?

• I do not have a Twitter account and occasionally update followers on my Facebook page about things that are happening in the Legislature or in and around Brevard and Orange Counties.

Read any good books lately?

• I am currently reading the Hunger Games.  My oldest daughter asked if I would read it; she has read it several times and felt that I would enjoy it.  The opportunity to read something that I could converse with her on was something that I felt was important for our relationship.  Ironically, politics plays into the book’s storyline, so it has been fun to talk with her about her views of the book.

What would be a perfect day for you? No limits! Anything is possible!

• A perfect day for me would be a mid-April day, with my family, in the foothills of Colorado, on horseback with my family beside me, no cell phones, and no worries of when we would have to be home.

And last but not least, if you were “King for a Day” and could pass any bill in the Legislature with no interference or opposition; what would it be?

• If I could pass one bill with no opposition, it would be a bill to consolidate all state lands into one agency that would be responsible for the management of Forestry, Wildlife, Greenways & Trails and Parks.  I believe that there is a way to do this without jeopardizing the intended uses of these lands.  While the details are still to be worked out, I feel as if there is an opportunity to do this in the future that would produce better results in terms of the management of state lands for the taxpayers of Florida.  This will be something I continue to work on in the coming years, given the opportunity to be re-elected to represent my district.