Rep. Lori Berman Says Proposed State Budget is `Sorely Lacking’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The following are the prepared remarks of Rep. Lori Berman (D-Delray Beach) who spoke today on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives in opposition to a proposed state budget crafted by Republican leaders.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The budget before this legislature today represents multiple years of significant cuts. This legislature is no longer cutting fat but has moved to `bone.’ There is no more low hanging fruit and all these cuts affect our constituents and the services they receive.
“I ran for this office on a platform that included implementing an internet sales tax, eliminating corporate tax loopholes and assuring that all sales tax exemptions serve a public purpose. Imagine what this chamber could do with the revenue from these measures.
“Many of the cuts in the budget today could be avoided. Trust fund sweeps could be reduced or eliminated and higher education tuition hikes of 8 percent could be lowered.
“In health care alone, an extra $500 million would make the 7 percent hospital inpatient and outpatient rate cuts unnecessary, restore Medicaid podiatric and chiropractic services to over 30,000 beneficiaries, and allow the age of beneficiaries in independent living to remain at 23.
“Not only do I object to this budget for all these cuts, but I also cannot vote for a budget that only minimally addresses our economic troubles. Where are the bold job creation measures? What is this chamber doing to get people back to work?
“Our constituents are hurting and have had to look for ways to improve their income and find jobs. We owe it to them to increase state revenue and create jobs – something this budget is sorely lacking. Members please join me in voting ‘no’ today.”
LINK TO NEWS RELEASE: Rep. Lori Berman Says Proposed State Budget is `Sorely Lacking’
