House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston Statement Florida Deserves a Budget For Working Families
CONTACT: Mark Hollis
(850) 488-9622
House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston Statement
Florida Deserves a Budget For Working Families
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston (D-Plantation) issued the following statement on Governor Scott’s proposed state budget for FY 2013-14.
“Governor Scott’s proposed budget is a missed opportunity to meet the real needs of Florida’s middle class and working families. It is especially discouraging that he has omitted a proposal for extending Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act by claiming that the federal government has left too many questions unanswered. By attempting to shift blame to the federal government, Governor Scott has poorly disguised his refusal to actually address the issue and move ahead with the expansion like at least 18 other states have already done.
“Governor Scott’s education funding proposals deserve a close examination by the Legislature. But I would hope Floridians understand that even with an additional $1.2 billion in education, Florida would remain about $850 million shy of education spending levels of 2007-08 when there were fewer students in our public schools. In addition, the governor’s proposed $2,500 teacher pay raise is welcome but will still leave Florida’s teachers earning nearly $7,000 a year below the national average teacher salary.
“On behalf of middle class and working families, I know that House Democratic Caucus members will work cooperatively with Republicans in the Legislature in hopes of crafting a better state budget that focuses on jobs, education, safety and quality of life.”
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