Aug 4, 2008
For Immediate Release 

Broad-based Initiative Challenges Candidates, Legislators to Provide New Thinking, Bold Leadership for Difficult Times
Four Town Hall Meetings Planned for Key Regions; Series Kicks Off Aug. 16

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Groups representing millions of Floridians of all types – from children’s groups to AARP and all taxpayers in between, including businesses – announced a broad-based initiative Monday to encourage state elected leaders and legislative candidates to find fresh solutions to the state’s darkening revenue picture and long-term challenges.

The new initiative – “Florida’s People, Florida’s Promise” – will conduct four Town Hall meetings across the state before Nov. 4 in key areas, inviting legislators and legislative candidates to consider and discuss forward fresh solutions that preserve vital services during an unprecedented period of budget woes. In announcing the initiative, the group laid out potential cost-saving ideas and revenue options to ensure funding for core services while simultaneously benefiting the business community and Florida’s economy.

“Floridians of all ages, in many walks of life, are worried and hurting,” said Lori Parham, AARP’s Florida state director. “Floridians are looking to their leaders for new approaches. Faced with a sharp drop in revenues, we need new ways to sustain critical programs for Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Groups founding the initiative are: AARP; the Children’s Home Society of Florida; the Florida Coalition for Children; Florida TaxWatch; and Community-Based Care (CBC) of Seminole.

Founders of the initiative also are inviting other organizations and private citizens to go to its web site (www.floridaspeople.org ) and sign its “Declaration of Interdependence,” asking elected officials for bold leadership and innovative ideas to ensure a bright future for Florida.

“Never in Florida’s history have so many previously independent groups joined together to implement change,” said Dave Bundy, CEO of Children’s Home Society of Florida. “Together, we hope to set an example for our legislative leaders by setting aside differing priorities. We call on them to ensure that the Sunshine State will never leave its most vulnerable citizens in the dark.”

“Previous legislative budget investments in programs have resulted in many positive outcomes for Florida’s children and seniors” said Mike Cusick, President and CEO of the Florida Coalition for Children. “Not only is this good for Florida’s citizens but investing in Florida’s people is good business.

Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of the nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and research institute Florida TaxWatch, explained his group’s involvement in the coalition. “Florida TaxWatch is proud to join with these prestigious groups, each of which has a rich history of ensuring that our state fulfills its obligations to provide needed services to our state’s most vulnerable citizens. It is our role to represent all the taxpayers of Florida and we will work with this coalition to reach out to elected officials and offer alternatives to indiscriminate and across-the-board budget cuts that negatively affect Florida’s citizens and our state’s economy. This coalition will promote civic engagement and citizen participation while simultaneously assisting and encouraging the legislature to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money. Now is the time for creative, bold, and innovative leadership that can streamline bureaucracy, reduce duplication, and eliminate waste in order to ensure that core services are being funded and that Florida’s global competitiveness is being enhanced, not harmed.”

Founders of the initiative are suggesting prudent, well-researched, cost-effective savings and revenue options that could generate hundreds of millions of dollars, benefit Florida’s economy and avoid damaging vital services. The initiative also will work to encourage civic engagement and to enhance citizen understanding of the real-world impact of the state’s current budget difficulties. Finally, Florida’s Promise – Florida’s People will provide lawmakers and other policymakers valuable, innovative ideas on how to weather the state’s fiscal storm. The group will be active through the 2009 legislative session.

Founders noted that the group’s revenue options are meant to jump-start a conversation about preparing Florida for challenges that all acknowledge are coming. Enacting the cost-savings ideas recommended by the group also will save millions of taxpayer dollars and could help the state’s struggling economy.

“We expect those who would be our leaders to tell us their concepts to address the problems we have today, and those looming in the future,” Parham said. “A state seen as chaotic and callous – unwilling to help families in crisis – unable to sustain an appealing quality of life – shrinking from the challenge of the future – cannot inspire confidence in the businesses, future retirees or newcomers who could help us rebuild Florida’s future.”

Calabro added: “The taxpayers of this state rightfully expect and deserve to have an efficient and accountable government in good times when the government coffers are bulging. But it is absolutely necessary that the government try to be as efficient as possible in bad economic times when core services are being cut.”

Florida’s People, Florida’s Promise coalition will hold these Town Hall meetings:

Central Florida: 9 a.m. to noon, Aug. 16, Conference Center, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1217 Trinity Woods Lane. Maitland, FL 32751. Call 1-877-926-8300 for reservations.
Palm Beach County: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 20, West Palm Beach; venue to be announced
Hillsborough-Pasco-Pinellas: Sept. 24; time and venue to be announced.
South Florida: Oct. 11; time and venue to be announced.
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For Immediate Release

 Recently AARP sent out an e-mail giving members in Florida the chance to respond to this question and here are some of the responses to this question.

I would like to know when they are going to finally check into lowering the cost of health insurance.
Sharon Garaffa,
Summerfield