My office staff and I welcome your contact regarding any issue that is important to you. As always, I consider it a pleasure to serve you, and the people of our district.
I also encourage you to visit “Online Sunshine,” the official website of your Florida Legislature. At http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ you’ll find links to both the Senate and the House websites. The site also provides links to Florida Statutes and other governmental information and entities. There is also a link to kid’s pages that are designed to educate young ones about how our state government works.
Happy Memorial Day
On Memorial Day we take time to commemorate the men and women of our Armed Forces who throughout our nation’s history have paid the ultimate price to protect and preserve our freedom.
They all sacrificed and we honor our fallen heroes.
These days, the words “hero” and “sacrifice” are bantered about to the point where they seem to have lost their significance. It seems that too many Americans have become numb to their meaning. From our earliest days as a nation, America has been blessed with citizens who place themselves in harm’s way and sacrifice much to defend and uphold our tradition of freedom and liberty. The sacrifices made by these true American heroes transcend political rhetoric or party affiliation. That is why Memorial Day is so important.
Think back for a moment and try to recall when you first became excited in your heart as our flag passed you during a parade or at an event as you sang the national anthem. Was it during your days in elementary school when you learned the Pledge of Allegiance or sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee?” Is it at the start of a ballgame when the crowd rises for the “Star Spangled Banner”? Think for a second about it - because without patriotism, America would not be what we are today – a beacon of freedom and liberty that draws untold numbers of people from around the world to our shores and borders in search of a better life and freedom.
Memorial Day should remind us all that without patriotism, without a love for our country, we would have no heroes to honor today. Without patriotism and the willingness to sacrifice, America would be no more.
In his famous Memorial Day speech of 1884, Oliver Wendell Holmes called Memorial Day “…our most sacred holiday.” And he urged that “…we not ponder with sad thoughts the passing of our heroes, but rather ponder their legacy – the life they made possible for us by their commitment and pain.” The famous jurist and author’s words give life to this day as we honor our service men and women who gave their lives for their country. I believe our ability to honor, appreciate and cherish our nation’s greatness comes on behalf of those who stand in harm’s way to protect us.
President Abraham Lincoln memorialized those who fought and died for freedom when he spoke at the Gettysburg Battlefield when he said, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”
On this Memorial Day take time to remember…and more importantly, we must never forget.
Today, brave American men and women find themselves far from America’s shores, in lands foreign to them, where they face situations their parents hoped - and prayed - their children would never have to experience. But when the call to defend America and our freedom came, they answered. They left it all behind for their families, for their country. They are all heroes – facing enemies every day and resolved to carry out their mission to keep America safe. Many will return home with the pride of having served their country honorably. And others will return to be honored for fighting and falling in the line of duty.
Just as their predecessors in two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, Grenada and the Persian Gulf, the Global War on Terrorism is being won by ordinary Americans making extraordinary sacrifices.
And let us not forget the sacrifice made by our military families. I think of the children missing their parent on a birthday or holiday. I think of the spouses who miss their husband or wife on their anniversary. And parents who pray daily that their son or daughter return home safe and sound. I have come to appreciate the personal commitment, sacrifice and devotion of our military families and the loved ones at home who pray for and support our military. They too deserve our praise and thanks.
Today our armed forces maintain this same commitment and honor that was declared over two centuries ago when America first fought for her freedom. They come from all walks of life and span economic, racial and religious divides. They are our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. And they are our heroes. With that in mind, let us remember…let us honor…those men and women who gave their lives to defend our freedom…to ensure that we can gather here today without fear, without hesitation to publicly honor our fallen heroes.
We recognize that freedom is not free. And while it is often said, it is worth repeating. Our freedoms are bought at a high price.
On this Memorial Day remember to say “thank you” – but we should say “Thank You” everyday to those who for generations have paid so dearly with ultimate of sacrifices.
Thank God for our patriots and God Bless America!
End of Session 2009 Wrap-up
End of Session 2009
This year Florida faced the worst budget environment in the state’s history. With an unprecedented deficit, an uncertain economic outlook and the coming federal stimulus flameout, the budget process took a few days longer than normal to conclude. It was more important to make the right decisions than the quick ones. It’s important to take a fiscally responsible, long-term view that puts Florida in the best shape possible to rebound when the economy recovers. That means making tough choices now to stop spending more than we can afford, but it is the responsible thing to do for Florida’s economic future.
Florida’s constitution only requires us to pass a balanced budget for this year, but it’s irresponsible to pass a budget that leaves us in a deficit next year, so we made decisions in the best interest of Florida’s long-term future. We ensured that Floridians are not burdened with a billion dollar tax increase starting next year because we ignored the fact that the federal stimulus dollars run out soon. We were responsible in our use of federal stimulus dollars as well as with new revenues. We did not use those dollars to grow government or recurring program costs in future years and we did not radically expand our tax system in a way that would discourage economic recovery and job creation. Our responsible decisions today should save Floridians billion of dollars over the next few years.
Over the past two years the state budget has been reduced by over $5 billion. Because of the strings attached to the stimulus package, reducing the state budget significantly was not a viable option this year. We also did not ask anyone to do more than we ourselves were willing. We reduced our own pay by 7% because we understand the importance of making tough decisions to save taxpayer dollars.
The House focused on the core missions of state government when it came to investing in Florida’s future:
• Increased per-student funding for our K-12 schools to $6873
• Fully funded the MEDS-AD and Medically Needy Programs, which were scheduled to expire on July 1, 2009
• Worked to stimulate economic recovery with $30 million for first-time homebuyers
• Protected services and provider rates for Florida’s developmentally disabled
• Maintained our commitment to restoring the Everglades with continued funding
• Expanded the Nursing Home Diversion Program, which will enable more Floridians to receive vital services in their communities
• Maintained our commitment to public safety by providing full funding for Florida’s sworn officers
• Invested in the future of Florida’s economy by increasing funding for state universities
• Provided $13.5 million in the Quick Action Closing Fund to attract new companies to Florida
• Increased funding for Film and Entertainment Incentives to attract more film and entertainment jobs to Florida
• Prioritized public safety by protecting funding for vital probation and security officers who work with offenders
Education
My commitment to providing all students in Florida the opportunity to earn a world‐class education did not waver during the difficult economic times facing our state. Our budget for the next year protects classroom funding and actually provides an increase in per‐student funding, to a statewide‐average of $6873. In fact, over the last ten years, we’ve increased per student funding by over 43%. In a classroom with 18 students, we’re investing over $123,000 per classroom.
I am proud that our budget places the highest priority on education. But we know it is not only how much we spend on education that matters; how we spend it matters too. In recent years, we’ve raised standards, demanded accountability and offered innovative opportunities for Florida’s students. And student achievement results show that Florida’s students are doing better than ever.
The most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, which is the only way to compare reading and math test results from around the country, show that Florida made remarkable educational gains over the past two years. In fact, Florida was one of only four states with significant increases in both fourth and eighth grade reading since 2005. Florida’s fourth graders improved from 28th to 18th in reading and from 24th to 19th in math. This is real progress, but we still have much work to do.
We also know that investing in higher education is investing in the future health of Florida’s economy. Our budget for the next Fiscal Year actually increases funding for our state universities by almost 3% over the current year. We know that many students rely on financial aid to attend college so we maintained full funding for the state’s primary need‐based aid program.
Insurance
We still face significant challenges in Florida’s property insurance market. Right now the State of Florida is the largest insurer in the State. And the state’s insurance company‐ Citizen’s
Insurance‐ doesn’t have enough money to pay the claims if a major hurricane hits – and that means taxpayers are at risk in the aftermath of next major hurricane.
But we also know that right now is not the time for a dramatic insurance rate increase for Floridians. Under current law, Citizens’ insurance rates were set to increase by 40‐50% for personal policies this year and over 100% for commercial policies. So we took a responsible approach to beginning to fix Florida’s insurance problem‐ stopping the mandated 50‐100% rate increases but also significantly reducing the risk that Florida taxpayers will have to bear in case of a storm.
I also know that Florida’s homeowners face a difficult challenge in choosing their homeowners’ insurance policy in an increasingly less‐competitive Florida insurance market. Too often,
Floridians are left with few choices to insure the largest investment they will make in their lives. I supported legislation to put the power to make insurance choices back into the hands of the consumer. While providing for necessary consumer protections, the measure allows the consumer to make insurance choices and encourages a sustainable and competitive private insurance market. I trust Floridians, armed with all of the relevant information, can make the best decision for their residential property insurance policy and company.
CS/CS/HB 1171 - Residential Property Insurance
The bill allows property insurers meeting specified requirements to offer a residential property insurance policy that is not subject to Office of Insurance Regulation determinations that the rate is “excessive.” These requirements include requiring insurers to meet certain “financial strength” requirements such as:
Having surplus equal to or greater than $500 million based on insurer’s most recent annual statement;
Have surpluses greater than or equal to $200 million and a ratio of net written premium to its surplus not exceeding 2 to 1 based on the insurer’s most recent annual statement, or
If the insurer’s primary function is to offer insurance as a service or member benefit to members of a nonprofit corporation, then the insurer must have surpluses equal to or greater than $150 million based on the insurer’s most recent annual statement.
Qualified insurers must provide notice to Florida’s consumers before the policy is issued or initially renewed that indicates that the rate is not regulated by OIR and may be higher than rates approved by that office, and that residential property insurance subject to full rate regulation may be available from another private company or Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
Before the policy is issued or at the time of first renewal, the consumer must have received a quote from Citizens or an insurer offering a fully regulated policy willing to insure the risk that provides substantially similar coverage, limits and deductibles to the extent available.
These new provisions don’t apply to residential property insurance policies that exclude hurricane or windstorm coverage.
Insurance companies must provide customers 180 days written notice of intent to Non renew, cancel or terminate a policy.
Suggestions and Public Appearances
I and my staff use the newsletter as a cost-effective tool to keep you in touch with what is happening in your State and in your Florida Legislature. We welcome all suggestions and comments. Do not hesitate to contact my District Office to let us know of issues you are concerned about and would like us to address in this newsletter.
As my schedule allows, I am happy to speak at local community events or groups about issues of interest. My Legislative Assistant, Ray Walker, or my Secretary, Mary Katherine Peebles, will be happy to work with you in making such arrangements.
Utilizing email as a newsletter distribution tool is a fiscally-responsible means to distribute information to my constituency about what is going on in their Florida Legislature.
Please feel free to e-mail The Ford Update to your friends and relatives. Alternatively, please let others know they can be added to my email list by going to www.gulf1.com/ford.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any of your needs or concerns. My district office is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is:
1804 West Garden St.
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 595-5550
Emailing me will allow for the most prompt reply to your issue.
To view my Committee assignments, please visit www.myfloridahouse.gov. Click on the Representatives tab for an alphabetical listings of all Representatives. This website provides a multitude of other legislative information including Committee Schedules, Legislative Bill Search Engines, a Kid’s page, End-of-Session Reports, etc.
