The following is a message from Florida House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber:
As the Democratic leader in a State House controlled by Republicans, forlorn frustration can be an unfortunate reality of life in a Legislature that has become known more for the mistakes it has made than the good it can do.
My fellow Democrats and I fight tooth and nail for children's healthcare, middle class tax relief, better schools, and other sensible policies - sometimes with little or muted support from the other side.
There are many issues that strike close to home. My young children, as I did, attend our public schools so Florida's disrespect of teachers and public education is easy for me to get passionate about. But more recently the danger of unmitigated climate change has become an issue where the past short-sightedness of my colleagues causes me to worry greatly about the world my children will live in.
You and I obviously realize that Florida should be long past denying the reality of global warming yet our state lags behind nearly every other in addressing the grave challenges posed by climate change.
Our new Governor -- a Republican -- has demonstrated a desire to govern from the center and that suits me fine. On the issue of climate change, especially, he has demonstrated a willingness to tune out the right-wing and, like other right-thinking policy makers, face up to the challenges that climate change presents. He has charted a course that Floridians -- no matter their political stripe -- ought to be proud of.
Unfortunately, many others remain in a serious state of denial.
The Republican leadership of the House seems intent on battling these thoughtful initiatives. Rather than address the problem directly they, instead, simply want to use this crisis as an excuse for providing more hand-outs and corporate subsidies as a substitute to hard greenhouse gas limits.
We can't let that happen. We need to let them know that Florida is watching them. You can help by signing the Five Point Pledge to Protect Florida's Future and adding your voice to the growing chorus of Floridians fed up with the state's lack of action on this serious, pressing concern.
http://www.fladems.com/...
Lasting economic benefits to our state will be achieved by adopting the long-term strategies set forth by the Governor, who has moved Florida closer to the mainstream. Now, it's up to those who control the Legislature to embrace, rather than reflexively reject, these common-sense initiatives.
Employing scare tactics to avoid taking actions that are clearly necessary does no one any good.
It's time to stand up and tell the Republicans we won't be fooled by the fuzzy science of extremists. Ignoring the dangers of global warming is more than a gamble. It's a guarantee. If we don't act soon, we're putting our children's future at risk.
Please sign the Pledge today.
http://www.fladems.com/...
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dan Gelber, Democratic Leader
Florida House of Representatives