Legislative Updates

Session 2007
March 19 – March 23

If you turn on ESPN, sports radio, even regular news channels two words are being repeated over and over, with a fervor that matches the language, “March Madness”. As Session hits its stride, Tallahassee has a “March Madness” all its own.

You can feel the change that comes over the process, as returning legislators work their issues craftily, freshmen members get their feet under them, and staff begins truly working like a well oiled machine. The beginning of session always has a touch of random play and can be as overwhelming as it is entertaining, but when the “legislative machine” starts cranking, the “madness” begins.  It was as if every issue imaginable was heard by the members this week.

Senator Rich (D-Sunrise) and Representative Ausley’s (D – Tallahassee) Children’s Cabinet bills were heard and passed in the Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee and the House Healthy Families Committee respectively.  Co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of members, including Senators Hill, Lynn, Margolis, and Peaden, and Representatives Bucher, Kiar, Meadows, Planas, Porth, and Schwartz,  the bills are moving along.  Child advocates testified in support and the establishment of the Cabinet is a priority for Governor Charlie Crist who spoke about it during his appearance on Florida Face to Face on Thursday.

Another major development was a jointly timed announcement by the Department of Juvenile Justice and Children’s Campaign, Inc. regarding the release of a new DJJ mission and vision statement and guiding principles.  Unlike the current statement that focuses only on public protection, the newly worded philosophy still in draft form reflects a balanced approach of strong prevention, effective intervention, reliable treatment, and appropriate punishment.  The draft language was distributed in a Breaking News story by the Children’s Campaign and posted on our new website devoted to juvenile justice, www.jjmatters.org  To read the draft language, click here.

DJJ is encouraging citizen and stakeholder participation in shaping the future of the system. Comments about the revised mission, vision and guiding principles will be accepted through April 6th at which time the staff at DJJ will decide on final language. To send comments directly to Secretary McNeil, click here.  Advocates who mobilized over the past several years to protect programs from budget cuts and to close abusive and neglectful programs are welcoming the new direction and spirit of collaboration.  To them, this new mission and vision, long sought but always beyond their grasp, has its own touch of “Magical March Madness”. 

KidCare continued to be a hot issue in both the House and Senate. The South Florida Business Journal published an article, “Proposed state legislation could help uninsured kids”.  Quoting several providers, advocates and legislators, the article focused on the 700,000 uninsured children in Florida, the return of $120-million federal dollars in matching funds that Florida failed to use, eligibility issues, streamlining administration to make it easier for children to enroll in the program, and the need for increased federal funding.  Alan Levine, President and CEO of North Broward Hospital Distict, was quoted saying “Floridians are paying for these kids to have access to health care, one way or another; it’s better to prevent it, rather than have them show up in the ER.” To read the full article click here.

Federal reauthorization of S-CHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program), known in Florida as Kidcare, took a big step forward this week.  Supported energetically by Florida Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-Tampa Bay), the United States House of Representatives has announced that they will be marking up the budget with a $50 billion appropriation over five years.  Although this historic level must still be considered in the Senate, this is a great victory for uninsured children.  Advocacy at the state level to fix Florida’s now crippled program has become even more important to keep the momentum going.  The state will need to show the will to improve in order to benefit from the expected federal funding.   Help is needed to ensure that the leaders of the Florida Legislature understand what must be done. Click here for talking points and to find key members: 

Passing through House Healthy Families was Representative Glorioso’s (R - Plant City) HB 1215, Relating to Independent Living Transition Services. Co-sponsored by Representatives Culp, Meadows, Porth and Schwartz, the bill limits liability of a caseworker who signs an  application for a driver's license for a minor who is in foster care; revises eligibility criteria for independent living transition services and for the Road-to-Independence Program; increases the age limit for eligibility for certain persons to qualify for medical assistance payments; and provides for removal of disabilities of certain minors for purposes of securing depository financial services. The next stop for the bill is House Healthcare Council.

Yes, “March Madness” is well underway, but unlike college basketball, Tallahassee won’t be seeing the end of it with the changing of the month.   Stay tuned.