When some of our elected leadership learned about checks and balances back in their school days, they must have stopped reading at the word "checks."
The Republican leadership is finding time to hold a lavish weekend fundraiser, complete with salsa lessons, a yacht cruise, and 24-hour-a-day personal concierges for major donors. Meanwhile, the people of Florida are still waiting for real property tax reform, real insurance reform... and a solution to KidCare, the sunsetting of PIP/No Fault insurance and the energy issues facing the state.
These "representatives" are supposed to be the personal concierges of the people of Florida. Offering such assistance to $100,000 donors – while so many problems remain unsolved – is disgraceful.
While pampered lobbyists wine and dine on a megayacht, millions of Floridians are facing rising property insurance costs. The pending sunset of PIP will mean lost medical coverage in accidents. Services to children are being de-funded – even as our education system - one of the worst in the nation – continues to degrade. The long term leadership "solution" is to spend even less time serving the people, and more time serving drinks to their campaign donors.
We call on the Republican leadership to reevaluate their priorities and commit their time to the dire issues that face our state.
While a third special session is scheduled for September to address the budget crisis – and no doubt looming cuts to nearly every department... so many problems have still yet to be addressed. Florida residents, not donors, should be the ones getting 24-hour-a-day attention.
It will be interesting to see at next reporting quarter whether the leadership catered to the people or to the donors that have paid so much. Florida needs real leadership and real solutions. If current officials are unwilling or unable to serve the needs of Floridians, we will.
Signed,
Chris Chiari (www.chiari08.com)
Michael Calderin (www.michaelcalderin.com)
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Christian Chiari, Democrat for State House District 91 and Michael Calderin, Democrat for State House, District 119.