Dawn is breaking on a whole new Florida legislative session. The fate of the nation's 4th most populous state rests in the hands of a powerful few.

Who are these titans roaming our corridors of power? Who possesses the swagger to lead a great state through a chaotic election year, out of the woods of a bad economy and into a better future?

Time will tell. But if real leadership is on the way, it's likely to begin with the ranks of these, Florida's most influential legislators as the 2010 session begins:

In the upper chamber

1. Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne - Incoming 2011 Senate president, Haridopolos serves as chairman of the Policy and Steering Committee on Energy, Environment and Land Use and as chairman of Reapportionment. He also was co-sponsor of January's Florida Jobs Summit in Orlando, an event that generated a slew of ideas for the jobs legislation coming this session. Don't be fooled by his youth and energy. He is far and away the Senate's No. 1. Haridopolos will lay low. He'll do his best work behind the scenes, shoring up votes for important legislation. His will be the busiest office in the Senate Building as a sea of senators awash in their own priorities try to position themselves for success by currying his favor.

2. Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach - Current Senate president, intelligent, thoughtful, the man leading the mightiest charge during the first week of the session. But he's in the Land of Oz. As the session wears on, he becomes the wizard you'll see, but it will be Haridopolos behind the curtain pulling the strings. Look for Atwater's attention to turn fairly quickly to his campaign for state chief financial officer.

3. Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales - In a fat year, the chairman of the Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means, as Alexander is, might wield more power than the incoming Senate president. After all, Ways and Means is where the money is. But not this year. With the state's pockets picked clean by the recession, Alexander remains a formidable figure, but his position lacks the relevance it had even two years ago.