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Welcome to the 2nd LEGISLATIVE UPDATE of 2007.

The first edition included the Children’s Campaign 5 Promises 2007-08 Legislative Agenda. If you missed it you can click here to read and print the full document.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE is a service provided by the Children’s Campaign to advocates and concerned citizens at the end of each Committee Week and weekly during regular Session.

These updates include a brief narrative of the presentations, bill movement and news stories engaging issues covered in the 5 Promises as well as a link to a detailed list of bills related to our Legislative Agenda.

The bills are categorized by Promise. Children’s Campaign, Inc. is dedicated to ensuring that every parent/guardian and child in Florida regardless of gender, race, ability, creed, orientation or education has access to important programs and services encompassed by the following 5 Promises:

1. Pre-natal, Infant, and Child Health Care
2. Safety, Permanence, and Services to Children in Out-of-Home Settings
3. High Quality Pre-K, Child Care, and Early Learning Opportunities
4. Safe and Enriching Before and After-School Experience
5. Delinquency Prevention Programs and Services to Treat Children with Problems

To view the full text of any of the bills on this list, go to either www.flsenate.gov or www.myfloridahouse.gov and enter the bill number in the search box.

This information will add value to your advocacy efforts by creating an easy way to stay informed about policies affecting the children of Florida.

January 8, 2007 – January 12, 2007
COMMITTEE WEEK

There was a new tone to activities this week, as the 2007 Legislature met for the first time since the Inauguration of Governor Crist and the installation of new legislative leaders.

This week was focused on a fresh start, including introductions to new legislators and agency heads and their appointed staff.  Also requiring consideration were the new titles for key committees, new oversights, and changed meeting locations within the capitol complex.

An underlying backdrop to this week’s activities was the whispers of a more limited state budget. Many committee chairs with oversight of health and human service issues made a point to mention the possibility of restricted revenues, due in part to past tax cuts and in part to reduced collections of sales taxes. 

It is, of course, too early in the process to be talking about what can’t be done. Advocates and providers must bring forth realistic statements of need which have built up gradually over the past eight years. There must be an honest and transparent discourse of the appropriations levels that would address service and support gaps impacting children and families.

Budget, as with all legislative issues, is a matter of priority.  The fiscal fixes highlighted in the Children’s Campaign Legislative Agenda are for programs and services that have been ongoing issues for years.  These programs benefit the health, protection, and education of Florida’s children, and can’t be ignored.  Advocates and providers are encouraged now more than ever to come forward with their facts and figures.  Be forewarned, however, and be ready to respond to policy-makers who may be singing the “revenue blues”.   

This week also highlighted the hot button issues that children’s advocates will be talking about this policy making season. KidCare, Universal Pre-kindergarten, Medicaid, Community Based Care, Independent Living, and Mental Health all were heard in the initial round of legislative hearings.

KidCare, and S-CHIP reauthorization will be a focus of attention both at the state level and federally. Roy Miller, President of Children’s Campaign recently wrote a Letter to the Editor, detailing the loss of $20-million in federal funds, and the number of children Florida is failing to insure. The letter was published in nearly all major newspapers across the state. Click here to read the full letter.

A Special Session on Property Insurance will take place Tuesday January 15th through Monday January 22nd.

Next Committee Week is January 23, 2007 – January 26, 2007. The next LEGISLATIVE UPDATE will be released January 29th.

For more information please contact Amanda Ostrander, Coordinator of Communications at 850.425.2600 or aostrander@iamforkids.org.