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D.C. Needs to Start Rewarding Efficiency, not Inefficiency

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By: Governor Rick Scott
I recently traveled to D.C. to fight for Florida as the U.S. Senate debated repealing and replacing Obamacare. For far too long, D.C. politicians have focused only on the grand bargain of repealing and replacing Obamacare, ignoring the opportunity to make incremental changes to get rid of the taxes and mandates and roll back the federal welfare state.
For decades, the federal government has been willing to spend more than it takes in. We all know this is not sustainable, leaving debt for our children and grandchildren – more than $19 trillion in debt and counting. The inaction we’ve seen on repealing Obamacare shows that hasn’t changed. Throughout this healthcare debate, a lot of people have been advocating for bigger government, and not a lot of people have been advocating for taxpayers. I will always advocate for Florida’s hardworking taxpayers.
While a new bill has been introduced this week, it has taken far too long to get rid of the disaster of Obamacare, and I fear the politicians in Washington will never find common ground on this critical topic. There is absolutely no question that Obamacare must be repealed immediately so Americans can actually afford to purchase health insurance.
To lower costs, fundamental reform to the Medicaid program is needed. Obamacare encouraged a massive expansion of Medicaid to cover able-bodied, working-aged adults, even as 600,000 elderly Americans and individuals with disabilities nationwide sit on waiting lists to access services through this program.
States like Florida that have run increasingly efficient Medicaid programs, and have not expanded Medicaid, must be rewarded and treated fairly under any bill. What’s concerning is that under the most recently proposed Senate bill, tax and spend states like New York will continue to be rewarded for running an inefficient Medicaid program.
Long before the Obamacare debate, New York ran a terribly inefficient Medicaid program for decades which ran up their state’s deficit and hindered their economy. Florida is the exact opposite. We have been efficient with our dollars while providing quality care to those who truly need Medicaid.
As a reward for its fiscal irresponsibility, for every dollar New York pays in federal income taxes, they receive a quarter back from the federal government for Medicaid. In comparison, Florida only receives 16 cents for every tax dollar that is sent to Washington. Current Congressional bills lock in past federal spending, which would make this inequity permanent.
That makes absolutely no sense. If Florida is going to get a smaller rate of return on its federal taxes, shouldn’t our federal taxes be cut? New York, with fewer residents than Florida, receives more than $33 billion per year for Medicaid while Florida receives less than $15 billion. How is permanently locking in these spending levels fair to Floridians when New York has been terribly inefficient with their taxpayers’ dollars? The federal government should cut income taxes for Floridians by 30 percent. This would put our share of federal Medicaid funding as a percentage of taxes paid on par with New York. This reduction would save Floridians thousands each year.
The federal government must start rewarding efficient states like Florida and stop rewarding inefficient states. Our taxpayers deserve nothing less.

Governor Rick Scott to Host Media Availability in D.C.

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Governor Scott is meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan and members of Congress today and tomorrow in Washington, D.C. on healthcare. Tomorrow morning, March 9th, he will be available to media to discuss his trip to D.C.  
WHEN: 9:00 am
WHERE: Russell Senate Office Building Rotunda – 3rd floor
Washington, D.C.

Seminole State students’ research recognized at national conference in Washington, D.C.

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Four student-leaders from Seminole State College of Florida’s Environmental Initiative Clubs that presented research projects at The National Council for Science and the Environment’s (NCSE) 17th National Conference & Global Forum on Science, Policy, and the Environment. (L-R) Rodrigo Alcalá, Michael Barton, Caitlin McCormick and Laura Mendez-Castro.

Four student-leaders from Seminole State College of Florida’s Environmental Initiative Clubs presented research projects at The National Council for Science and the Environment’s (NCSE) 17th National Conference & Global Forum on Science, Policy, and the Environment in Washington, D.C., Jan. 23-26.
Each students’ project focused on the conference theme, “Integrating Environment & Health”:

  • Michael Barton: His project, “Plant Growth and Responsiveness as a Tool in Sustainability Education,” reported on his implementation of a lesson plan in carnivorous plants at Seminole Science STEM Charter School.
  • Caitlin McCormick: She presented “Breaking Down the Practice of Composting,” which analyzed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of implementing a composting program at Seminole State.
  • Laura Mendez-Castro and Rodrigo Alcalá: Their project, “Help for the Health of the Hands that Feed Us,” examined correlations between lupus symptoms and pesticide exposure among farmworkers.

Students_with_Capitol

The Capitol Building serves as the backdrop for this photo from the students’
visit to Washington, D.C., for the NCSE 17th National Conference in January.

The EMERGE Program for Sustainability & Renewable Energy sponsored the trip, including travel and printing costs for the students to present their projects at the conference. Dr. Debra Socci, professor of biology at Seminole State who serves as faculty advisor for the Environmental Initiative Clubs, guided the students’ research and provided feedback on their progress.
“I was so happy to participate in this year’s NCSE annual meeting to showcase the wonderful ecological citizenship efforts of our Environmental Initiative Clubs’ student-leaders,” says Socci. “The students’ projects, poster presentations, networking experiences and exposure to the work of high-level scientists and government agencies represent the best form of experiential learning!”
As part of the conference, Senior Scientist and former Executive Director of the NCSE, Dr. David Blockstein, announced the top four graduate and undergraduate posters. Barton’s STEM outreach program poster and Mendez-Castro and Alcalá’s poster made the list among students from University of Central Florida, Duke University, Perdue University, Pennsylvania State University and others from around the globe.
The Poster Session allows research scientists, university faculty, students, and others to share their work with over 1,000 conference attendees. Posters highlight research, innovations and initiatives relevant to improving the health and well-being of people, the planet and its ecosystems.
“It improved my presenting skills and allowed for me to step out of my comfort zone by meeting new people,” says Mendez-Castro. “The conference was amazing! I received many tips for applying to medical school and networking opportunities.”
The conference also included the 2017 Winter Meeting of the Community College Alliance for Sustainability Education, where the students heard key discussions on the future of the organization.
To learn more about the conference, please visit the NCSE conference website.
The Seminole State Environmental Initiative Club meets on the Sanford/Lake Mary and the Oviedo campuses. For more information, contact Dr. Debra Socci at 407.971.5077.
EMERGE Program: The EMERGE Program for Sustainability and Renewable Energy is a three-year, $900,000 grant program funded by the National Science Foundation. The program, which began in 2015, aims to strengthen employability for graduates, add courses and provide certifications in STEM areas, offer a program for dual-enrolled students and increase interest in sustainability and STEM programs among non-science majors.

Leading Florida lobbying firm now going national

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Ballard Partners Announce Washington, D.C. Office

Ballard Partners, Florida’s top government affairs firm, today announced the opening of their new Washington, D.C. office located in the heart of the nation’s capital.
“There is great enthusiasm for President Trump’s new administration in Washington. We are thrilled to be part of this excitement with the opening of our new Ballard Partners office in our nation’s capital,” said Brian Ballard, President of Ballard Partners. “We have assembled a first class team to lead our office in Washington, and we look forward to representing our clients on a path to success at the federal level.”
Ambassador Otto Reich, will join the Ballard Partners team in Washington, D.C. He was formerly the Ambassador to Venezuela, Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, Special Envoy for Western Hemisphere under President George W. Bush, and senior staff member for the National Security Council.
“I am thrilled to join Ballard Partners in the new Washington, D.C. office at a very exciting time in our country’s history,” said Otto Reich, Senior Counselor, International Affairs. “I look forward to helping bring the Ballard Partners standard of first-class government relations to Washington.”
Additionally, Senior Advisor and Florida Strategist to President Trump’s 2016 campaign, Susie Wiles, will join the Ballard Partners Washington team. Susie is an accomplished communications, government relations and political professional who will spend her time between both the Washington and Jacksonville Ballard Partners offices. She has more than twenty-five years of experience managing government and public affairs endeavors. Most recently, Susie managed the successful Trump campaign in Florida as well as the Governor Rick Scott’s campaign in 2010.
“Ballard Partners’ Washington, D.C. office will help provide clients critical access to the happenings at the federal level,” said Susie Wiles. “We are excited to hit the ground running with the powerhouse team we’ve assembled.”
Another new team member, Dan McFaul, joins Ballard Partners with 20 years of experience on Capitol Hill.
Dan’s experience includes legislative director and deputy press secretary for Congressman Joe Scarborough, chief of staff and communications director for Congressman Jeff Miller, staff member for President-elect Trump’s transition team and chief of staff for U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Ballard Partners and the exceptional team in Washington, D.C.,” said Dan McFaul. “The nation is on a path to greater prosperity and growth, and with these opportunities come many key government relations needs. I look forward to working with Ballard Partners to help ensure our new and existing clients reach and exceed their goals.”
Leading the Washington, D.C. office will be current team member Sylvester “Syl” Lukis. Syl will add more than forty years of experience in government and representing clients in Florida and Washington, D.C. He has had positions in the General Counsel’s Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Special Assistant to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and as an Assistant Director of the Cuban-Haitian Task Force at the U.S. Department of State. Currently Syl is a senior partner at Ballard Partners and has been a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar for more than thirty years.
About Ballard Partners
Ballard Partners has been named by state and national publications as the leading government affairs firm in the Sunshine State. The Florida-based lobbying firm, with offices in Washington, D.C., Tallahassee, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa, combines extensive experience in government affairs with unwavering advocacy to maximize results for the clients they serve. Visit http://ballard-partners.com for more information.