The Children’s Movement of Florida Blasts Legislature

Movement launches a new radio campaign on behalf of the state’s children – all of the state’s children.

TALLAHASSEE – The Children’s Movement of Florida unveiled a radio campaign Tuesday that censures the Florida Legislature and takes it to task for its shoddy and shameful treatment of children during the annual session that is scheduled to end this week.

Despite promises to come to the aid and comfort of Florida’s children, legislative leaders and Gov. Rick Scott have demonstrated little regard for – and, in fact, are inflicting damage on – programs that serve our state’s children and their parents. Many of these programs, already disgracefully underfunded in recent years, will be gutted under the budget soon to be voted on by the full legislature.

“It pains me to tell you this, but I must tell you this,” David Lawrence Jr., chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida, says during the 60-second radio spot. “As the Florida Legislature moves to a close, the heaviest weight of budget cuts is falling on the shoulders of our youngest, most vulnerable citizens – our children.”

The Children’s Movement of Florida, which drew more than 15,000 supporters to its Milk Party rallies across the state last fall and has built a base of more than 235,000 active supporters in less than a year, released its five-part legislative agenda in December.

According to a poll released prior to the session, more than seven out of 10 voters support the agenda: Bringing health insurance to an additional 300,000 children, introducing universal child screening for special needs, improving Florida’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program and enhancing student mentoring and parent-skill building. The total cost: About $300 million – or less than 1 percent of the $40 billion in revenues collected from Floridians each year by the state.

Yet, the legislature’s proposed budget:

• Produces little or no progress toward funding health insurance for a significant fraction of Florida’s 700,000 uninsured children.

• Delivers no additional funds for already underserved children with special needs.

• Includes no additional funds for the state’s already cash-starved voluntary pre-kindergarten program – and, worse, VPK programs could be slashed by $30 million.

• Provides no funds to develop or fortify programs that serve moms and dads who want access to information that would improve their parenting skills.

• Inflicts major cuts – perhaps as much as 50 percent – to high-quality student mentoring programs.

It is clear, Lawrence said, that Florida’s leaders are turning their backs on the state’s most precious resource – its children.

“As chair of The Children’s Movement,” Lawrence said, “I have met with those in leadership – including the now governor twice before his election and, subsequently, with both Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon, as well as with other key legislators, to discuss our five priority issues.

“Every time, I was told, ‘We are with you,” he said. “But they are not with us. I can promise you this: They may ignore us this session, but they will not be able to ignore us in the future. Florida's children deserve to be the state's highest priority – and they clearly are not that now.” 

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Listen to an audio clip of the 60-second radio message. More details and background information about the origins, objectives and leaders of the non-partisan, grassroots Children’s Movement of Florida, its 2011 legislative agenda and poll results can be found at www.childrensmovementflorida.org