As Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., offered his fifth State of the State address on Tuesday to kick off the 2015 legislative session, Florida Democrats responded by going on the attack
Florida Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, insisted Floridas economy was not doing well despite the growth of jobs and last year seeing a record-high number of tourists visiting the state.
Florida is taking the lead in the race to the bottom, in large part because all those new jobs Gov. Scott has been busy creating are mostly minimum wage," Joyner said on Tuesday. Sadly, the road to todays State of the State came at your expense. The ones who prospered before, during, and after the Great Recession never lost their tax breaks, rarely made good on their commitment to create all those high-paying jobs, and continued to sock away profits in offshore accounts protected by powerful financial institutions. The middle class has been sinking while the lifeboats sailed off with the well-off and the well-connected. And they have yet to return for your rescue.
Today, while many Floridians see signs of an economy starting to improve, theyre still waiting for the improvements to reach them, Joyner continued. Jobs that used to be the first step for teens earning money are now the final steps for adults trying to support themselves and their families. And Florida is no closer to putting hard-working people within reach of a family doctor than they were when the national health-care law first offered them a fleeting hope of affordable insurance.
House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, focused on education in his response to Scotts address, including taking aim at testing as a means of education assessment.
Gov. Scott and Republicans are finally hearing the people. Its the same thing Democrats have been saying all along, Pafford said. Gov. Scott last week tapped the brakes on some tests our students are forced to take. Lets fix testing. These tests are so stressful for our children and take up too much teaching time. Weve heard you all along. Its exactly what we feared would happen during long debate about these bad laws. Our public schools should meet high standards. Measuring progress is important. Lets do it within reason.
We also think funding public schools is important, Pafford added. Did you know about half the money for education the governor has in his budget comes from local property taxpayers? It used to be different. Not long ago the state picked up 60 percent of school funding. The governors budget has close to a $400 million increase in property taxes to allow him to brag about his plan. We think you should get the credit you deserve and we also think the state should pick up more of that tab and give local taxpayers a break.
Pafford also waded in on health care, calling for Scott and the Legislature to accept Medicaid expansion, noting that the leadership of the business community is increasingly open to the idea.
Its the smart thing to do, Pafford said. Business groups see that. More and more Republicans see that. House Democrats have been saying so all along. Theres another reason its smart. Even though the federal government has said its going to stop sending $1 billion to Florida, Gov. Scott included that money in his own budget. It could leave a billion-dollar hole. There is good news. Using federal money under the Affordable Care Act would save lives. It would provide other savings for the state and help so many people. Weve been saying this all along and maybe this is the year its heard.
Pafford joined Joyner in hitting Scotts management of the economy though he held his fire more than his Senate collegaue.
Of course, the governor talks about jobs, Pafford said. Were happy the whole countrys economy has improved, along with Floridas. Were glad the governor can travel around the world in his own private jet. But you know what? Quality matters, too. Democrats think its important to focus on bringing good jobs with good pay to the state. More than 45 percent of households in our state struggle to pay the bills from month to month? We hear you. We hope Republicans hear us this session. We look forward to the work ahead.
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant, who led the party last year when former Gov. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., failed to dislodge Scott, also went after the governor.
Floridas middle class is working harder than ever, but they are still struggling to get by, and all Rick Scott and the Republican Party have to offer are misleading claims and hollow promises, Tant said on Tuesday. The truth is, Tallahassee Republicans have shown no interest in expanding access to health insurance, making strong investments in public schools, protecting our environment, or making it easier for Floridians to vote. They are already working overtime to give handouts to the wealthiest special interests, while leaving the middle class with table scraps. Floridians deserve better. Floridians deserve leaders who will put their interests above the special interests."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
