Overwhelming Majority of Voters Support Goals of The Children's Movement of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – Taking the next step in a historic effort to support Florida’s children, The Children's Movement of Florida on Thursday announced a statewide poll showing that 72 percent of all voters want lawmakers to make children the first priority during the 2011 Legislative Session.

The Children’s Movement of Florida, which drew more than 15,000 supporters to rallies across the state last fall and has become known to some as the Milk Party, released its five-part legislative agenda in December. This new poll shows that, even in the current economic environment, more than seven of 10 voters support the movement’s agenda: Bringing health insurance to an additional 300,000 children, introducing universal screening of children who may have special needs, improving Florida’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program, and enhancing parent-skill building and student mentoring.

“For years, children’s advocates all across this state have insisted that Florida’s children be the first priority when elected leaders are deciding how the people’s resources are invested,” said David Lawrence Jr., president and co-chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida, one of the nation’s leading children’s advocates and retired publisher of The Miami Herald. “Today, I am here to tell you that 72 percent of all of Florida’s voters agree.”

With the 2011 legislative session just two weeks away, the non-partisan group is continuing to consult with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, as well as with the governor’s office.

“When 60 percent of Republican voters and 70 percent of Independents support our suggested programs and initiatives – and would show their support at the polls – it’s time to listen,” Lawrence said. “We simply ask lawmakers to listen to the people. Really listen.”

Brian Nienaber, vice president of the nationally known Republican polling and strategy firm The Tarrance Group, which conducted the survey, said: “What our poll shows is that voters possess a strong and demonstrable level of support for these programs, even when made aware of the costs.” To see full descriptions of programs and level of voter support click here.

The total cost of these five proposals comes to about $300 million – or less than 1 percent of the $40 billion in revenues collected from Floridians each year by the state.

“We know these are tough times,” Lawrence said. “We know the dollars are sparse. We are not asking for a one-year legislative wonder. But we do insist that we must begin this very year to make specific progress in investing in programs to help children thrive and succeed.”

***

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.