State lawmakers, lobbyists, the governor, city mayors, political groups and members of the public descended upon Tallahassee Tuesday to mark the opening day of Florida’s 60-day legislative session.
Here’s what they’re saying about the 2016 regular legislative session and about the issues :
Foundation for Excellence in Education
“Florida has made dramatic gains in education by providing parents with educational choices, strengthening accountability, raising standards, rewarding effective teachers and providing outcome-based funding. But we cannot rest on the past decade of success in improving education. We must ensure children are moving forward each and every year to keep Florida students competitive with their peers across the nation and around the globe. While focusing on the fundamentals, increased options, more unbundling and greater innovation in education can help take us further.”
Mark Ferrulo, Executive Director of Progress Florida
“Gov. Scott and his legislative allies have little interest in a Florida that works for all Floridians. They’re too busy doing the bidding of their wealthy corporate contributors, and political pandering, But they’re not the ones we’ll be talking to on the opening day of legislative session. We’re urging everyday Floridians to pay attention, get engaged, and hold their elected officials’ feet to the fire when they fail to act in the public interest.”
American Civil Liberties Union
“Florida's criminal justice system is in dire need of reforms. With numerous reports of excessive use of force, and corruption in prisons across the state, the time is now!”
Missy Wesolowski, Director of Governmental Affairs, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates
“This Legislature’s relentless attacks on women’s access to reproductive health must stop,” said “If anti-women’s health opponents were serious about reducing the number of abortions they would work with Planned Parenthood and other groups to provide education and access to contraception.”
Human Rights Campaign, LGBT advocacy group
“There are campaigns to amend existing state anti-discrimination laws to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in many states, including… Florida.”
Francesca Menes, Policy and Advocacy Director, Florida Immigrant Coalition
“It's shameful to see some legislators in Florida falling for the 'Trump Effect' and think that immigrants can be used as scapegoats right before the Presidential primaries just for political gain. Anti-immigrant and anti-family politics and policies are not a winning strategy in a state like Florida where a growing majority of Latino, Immigrant and African-American voters hold the keys to power and the White House.”
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island
“Whatever side of the compact – or any other issue – you fall on, remember to stand on your principles when you vote because your decision will make a difference in the lives of Floridians for years and even decades to come...Stand firm. Fight for what you believe in. Serve with principle and courage and work hard, so that when we sine die in 60 days and see our families again, we can tell them we left them a stronger Florida.”
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando
“This session, we can and will complete the work we were sent here to do. We will cut taxes again and leave more money with the hardworking Florida families and businesses who earn it. We will pass a balanced budget. We will appropriate unprecedented K-12 per student funding. We will work with Governor Scott and our colleagues in the House to ensure Florida has the tools we need to recruit and retain businesses that create jobs and grow our economy. And last, but by no means least, we will continue our commitment to the most vulnerable in our state by taking more people with unique abilities off the APD waiting list, so they can receive services they need in their homes and communities.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
