State lawmakers are preparing to pass a $74 billion budget for next year -- a budget that includes an extra $1 billion for K-12 education, as well as raises for teachers and the first raise for state employees in seven years.
Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, opposes the budget because it does not address the issue of expanding health coverage for uninsured Floridians. I am calling on the governor once again to veto the budget, have us come back whether its in a special session or not and then insert that health care coverage for those million-plus uninsured Floridians.
Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, likes the budget because it ensures the states fiscal health. I think that we take that responsibility very seriously and I couldnt be more proud of the product thats in front of you and the seriousness with which we have all taken our job in balancing this budget.
Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, claims the budget overall is good, but he is concerned it doesn't include an expansion of health insurance. As we leave today, we leave $51 billion, $51 billion on the table that we could use to provide 1.1 million people health care.
Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, supports the budget because he says it emphasizes public safety. I enthusiastically support this budget and I ask you to do the same and join me in voting for this budget.
Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, admits he is disgusted. A 102-year-old woman died on a wait list after three years. Waiting for someone to come help brush her teeth and comb her hair is I think pretty sad, and those wait lists by the way, they exist in this wonderful budget -- 35,000 people, 35,000 people that we just chose not to deal with.
Erik Fresen, R-Miami urges colleagues to vote for budget. Look at the fact that we have $480 million for teacher pay increases. We have over a billion dollars added to our K-12 system, we have restored university funding, increased college funding, increased early learning funding.
Dave Heller is a Tallahassee freelance reporter/videographer.
