Shit is getting real now:
http://www.tampabay.com/...
The White House has a Medicaid expansion argument for Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Republicans: It creates jobs.
A state-by-state report released Wednesday estimates that Florida would generate about 63,000 jobs, mainly in health care, from 2014-2017. That's the three years that the federal government would have paid the entire cost of providing health care to 848,000 people.
In Tallahassee, new legislative leaders come on board at the end of the year but little may change. Incoming Senate President Andy Gardiner said he still supports a Medicaid expansion alternative his chamber developed but there is little room to negotiate with counterparts in the House.
"Unfortunately, the federal government in their mandate is all or nothing," said Gardiner, R-Orlando. "I think that's one of the things that adds to the challenge."
The study by the Council of Economic Advisers — titled "Missed Opportunities" — is part of an ongoing push by the Obama Administration on a central part of the Affordable Care Act. It makes a number of other claims evaluating states that have expanded and 23 others that have not, including Florida.
It states, for instance, that 3,800 fewer Floridians would see "catastrophic out-of-pocket costs in a typical year." It estimates that about 35,000 women would have gotten a mammogram in the past year and more than 52,000 would have gotten a Pap smear.
The report relies on various studies, including one that looked at a Medicaid lottery in Oregon in which some people got coverage and others did not. - Tampa Bay Times, 7/2/14
Here's a little more info:
http://dunedin.patch.com/...
According to White House numbers, over 800,000 Florida residents are uninsured.
The American Medical Association, the foremost association of licensed physicians in America, says uninsured patients visiting medical facilities “strain individual, business, and government budgets.”
As previously reported in Patch, Gov. Rick Scott continues to refuse to expand Medicaid, costing the state considerable public funding to subsidize a state healthcare exchange.
If Florida expands Medicaid under the President’s plan, Washington pledges to fund the 100 percent of costs for the first three years of implementation, and 90 percent thereafter.
Scott is in a re-election contest which is expected to pit him against the state’s last governor, Charlie Crist, in a gubernatorial battle scheduled for Nov. 4. - Dunedin Patch, 7/2/14
And that puts Scott in a tough position:
http://www.tampabay.com/...
In his heart, Scott might despise Obamacare, but it seems he no longer wants to debate it. He dodges questions and has toned down his talking points.
Is it possible his certitude has been shaken?
I ask only because the opposition is beginning to speak up. The Council of Economic Advisers released a study on Wednesday that suggested Florida's refusal to expand Medicaid — a key component of the president's health care plan — is actually costing the state more than 63,000 jobs in the next three years.
Granted, this was a study produced by a White House group, and so there will be accusations of partisan mathematics.
But this report is not an outlier. The Florida Hospital Association commissioned a similar study by the University of Florida last year that predicted Obamacare would create about 122,000 jobs by 2023. Furthermore, these would be higher-paying job opportunities than we are accustomed to seeing in Florida.
And now the governor, whose mantra has been job creation, is faced with explaining why the state would willingly pass up tens of thousands of desirable jobs. Not to mention, failing to provide preventive health care for poverty level residents.
You might recall the governor seemed to recognize the benefits of Medicaid expansion last year when he reversed his position and endorsed the acceptance of federal funds.
But the problem is he has never followed up.
He never lobbied the Legislature, which made the ultimate decision on Medicaid expansion. He never called out the state House, which blocked a Senate plan to use federal funds to purchase health insurance for the needy.
He never took his case to the residents of Florida, who are still paying for the uninsured through expensive safety net programs without any of the job benefits. - Tampa Bay Time, 7/2/14
Not only has Scott been getting on this issue, he also is getting hit on this:
http://www.bloomberg.com/...
With $5 in her savings account, Jessica O’Quinn was facing foreclosure when Florida’s bill collectors came calling. They demanded $1,600.
The state said O’Quinn, a former property manager, collected unemployment checks even after she began a new job waiting tables at an Orlando-area bar. She sued Florida for violating bankruptcy laws that protect filers.
“I kept telling them, ‘I filed bankruptcy on this, I filed bankruptcy on this,’” said O’Quinn, 34, who settled with the state in 2012. “Apparently they didn’t believe me.”
More than 10 U.S. states have reduced unemployment benefits since 2011, and Republican Governor Rick Scott has made Florida’s program the least generous and one of the most aggressive in clawing back money. The issue has become a stumbling block for Scott, 61, who’s seeking re-election.
O’Quinn was among more than 19,000 people, including the bankrupt and dead, whom Florida incorrectly referred to collection agencies, Diane Parcell, a former employee at the state jobs agency, said last week. Parcell’s claims have become meat for opponents of Scott, whose administration has faced lawsuits and inquiries about its unemployment program.
“The agency was obviously breaking the law,” said Parcell, who lost her job overseeing benefits at Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity in 2012 after voicing concern that the debt collection was illegal.
Jennifer Diaz, a department spokeswoman, said Parcell’s allegations were “meritless.” John Tupps, a Scott spokesman, said the department “dismissed the allegations and we stand by that.” - Bloomberg, 6/30/14
And Democrats are hitting him on this:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/...
The Florida Democratic Party is out with a new ad that criticizes Gov. Rick Scott's education record, including budget cuts and approval of tuition increases. The ad, uploaded today on Youtube but scheduled to air in Central and South Florida, is simply titled, "Why?"
This is the Democrats' second ad and, like the first, will be aired in West Palm Beach, Orlando and Tampa at a cost in the "high six-figures" according to FDP spokesman Joshua Karp. That mirrors the parts of the state where the Scott campaign has spent the most.
The script for the newest ad: "He didn’t side with students and parents when Rick Scott cut education funding by over a billion dollars. Working and middle-class families? Nope. Not on their side when Scott’s cuts forced tuition increases at eleven Florida universities. Why would he do it? Whose side was Rick Scott on? Scott cut education to pay for even more tax breaks for big, powerful, well-connected corporations. With his education cuts and tuition increases, Rick Scott’s not on your side." - Miami Herald, 7/1/14
By the way, Bill Clinton was in Florida over this past weekend rilling up Democrats:
http://miami.cbslocal.com/...
Hammering on a theme heard throughout the day, former President Bill Clinton warned Democrats they won’t win critical races this fall if they don’t figure out how to get voters to cast ballots.
“We have to be creative in how we reach people and how we get them to the polls,” Clinton told a crowd of more than 1,500 supporters who paid up to $250 to hear the former president speak Saturday night. “If we’re going to preserve democracy, real democracy, we’ve got to show up.”
About 130 million people typically vote in presidential elections, but 50 million of those stay home during the mid-term elections like this year’s — “a recipe for gridlock,” Clinton told the party faithful gathered for their major fundraiser of the year at a glitzy seaside hotel in Hollywood.
Clinton blasted Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Scott for adopting policies that help the richest Floridians, like lowering corporate income taxes, and harm the poorest and working class families, such as not supporting a raise in the minimum wage.
“It’s not easy for them to vote. They have to know that it matters,” he said.
He urged Democrats to reach out to voters who could benefit from a turnaround in those policies.
“Explain, explain, explain and figure out how to physically get people to the polls,” Clinton said in a 41-minute speech. “I’m telling you, if you can reach Florida’s portion of those 50 million people … you will have the darnedest celebration on election night you ever saw.”
Clinton illustrated his point by saying that Democrat Alex Sink should have won a special election to replace the late U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young in a Pinellas County congressional district. Sink was defeated by Young’s onetime aide David Jolly.
“Alex Sink won the independent votes by almost twice the margin President Obama did. But the registered Democrats did not turn out,” Clinton said, noting that Democratic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe won his election because black voter turnout matched that in the general election.
“If they can do it, you can do it,” Clinton said.
The Clinton event raised $1.1 million — topping previous earnings for the annual “Leadership Blue Gala” fundraiser, formerly called the “Jefferson-Jackson Dinner” — and nearly 1,600 supporters were expected to attend the event at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, another historic high, according to Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant. - CBS Miami, 6/28/14
Both Charlie Crist (D. FL) and Nan Rich (D. FL) were in attendance and Crist is very optimistic about this year:
http://www.naplesnews.com/...
Crist, who is running for governor as a Democrat, is attending the event. So too is his opponent, former state Sen. Nan Rich. Supporters of Rich stood nearby demanding he debate Rich, as the former Republican governor spoke to supporters and the media.
The event won’t focus on candidates, and Crist said he wasn’t upset by the fact he would just be in the crowd listening to Clinton.
“It’s always an honor to be here with Bill Clinton,” he said.
Crist said the annual event – formerly the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner – is a chance to get people excited about the future of the party and candidates.
“We’re fired up and ready to go,” he said. “That’s what this is all about.”
Crist said 2014 is going to be a “great year for .. Democrats.”
“We have so much at stake,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-For Lauderdale, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. “Florida voters have a clear choice. We have to decide whether or not to choose to move Florida forward or more of the same. The bottom line is Florida cannot afford another four years of Rick Scott.”
Wasserman Schultz said “as chair of the national Democratic committee” she doesn’t have a position on the candidates in the state’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. She said she will support whoever gets the nomination.
In terms of Democratic candidates in upcoming elections, both Wasserman Schultz and Tant said they are actively working to build the party.
“You have to walk before you run, and this is a marathon not a sprint,” she said. “We have to rebuild this party. We have to make sure the districts are drawn fairly and then, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room — pun intended — take a look at how Republicans have ruined the government.” - Naples News, 6/28/14
Crist also didn't shy away from hitting Scott at the event:
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/...
Charlie Crist’s camp had a mob in the lobby of the Westin Diplomat – perfect for television images showing him arriving to adoring fans and cheers.
“It’s a great year for our party. It’s a great year for Democrats. It’s great to be here,” he said.
He avoided a question about supporters of his primary opponent, former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston.
“I look forward to the future all of it. August, September, October, November. We’re focused on Rick Scott. I mean obviously he thinks I’m his opponent. I think he’s now spent about $18 million against me. So I need to stay focused on him to do a service to my fellow Floridians. It’s important not to take my eye off that ball. He’s not. And I’m not. And so I look forward to the future, as I said, August and Nov. 4.”
Crist flew to South Florida late Saturday afternoon. He said he wasn’t at the earlier Democratic events because he was on Nantucket for a Democratic Governors Association event. He said the DGA gave him another $500,000 on Friday. It’s the second contribution of $500,000 from the DGA.
Asked to respond to Republicans’ demands that he release his wife’s income tax returns, he pivoted to Scott’s taking the Fifth Amendment during questioning about Medicare fraud at the health care company he used to run.
“He’s the most untransparent governor in the history of Florida. And for him to make transparency an issue is a gift to me, and it’s a gift to the people of Florida. And it shows what a fraud he really is.” - Orlando Sun-Sentinel, 6/28/14
And it's sounding like Florida Democrats are getting ready to get out there and campaign:
http://www.naplesnews.com/...
“Florida deserves better, everyone in this room deserves better,” said Allison Tant, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party.
Tant said the gubernatorial race is a top priority for Democrats in 2014, and said the state plans to build the “largest field plan” the state party has ever seen.
“We will not be outworked. We will not be out-organized. We will make that last phone call. We will knock on that last door,” she said. “And in November, we will win. Rick Scott will be a one-term governor.”
Tant said the event raised more than $1.1 million. While this year’s event was expected to rally Democrats in advance of the November election, candidates were not the focus of the two-hour dinner Saturday evening.
However, Tant said, candidates had the chance to meet with clubs and caucuses throughout the day on Saturday.
“We have so much at stake,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fort Lauderdale, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. “Florida voters have a clear choice. We have to decide whether or not to choose to move Florida forward or more of the same. The bottom line is Florida cannot afford another four years of Rick Scott.” - Naples News, 6/28/14
And there's reasons to be optimistic:
http://www.tampabay.com/...
Tant, who took the helm of the state party last year, noted that Saturday's fundraising dinner at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa drew the youngest and largest crowd ever as evidence of how fired up Democrats are to unseat Gov. Scott. The dinner raised a record $1.1 million.
"The Democratic Party is strong, we are clearly rebuilding, and we are set for the best days ahead," she said, promising to build the most aggressive grass roots organizing campaign ever created by the state party.
So far Crist has opened four field offices, while the Florida GOP has 49.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee and a Broward County resident, said Tant is doing everything right to rebuild the state party, but it won't be a quick process.
"Let's keep in mind just how deep a hole the Florida Democrats have been in and have been for a very long time," she said.
There is some good news for Democrats, particularly the state's changing demographics. Since the last governor's race in 2010, the percentage of the electorate that is white has dropped from 70 percent to 66 percent. Crist campaign officials note that if only 1 percent more African-Americans had turned out in 2010, Sink would have beaten Scott.
The most competitive congressional races in the state also are in areas where increased turnout is likely to help Democrats — Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and around Tallahassee. - Tampa Bay Times, 6/28/14
By the way, here's something col Crist recently did:
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/...
Former Florida governor Charlie Crist on Friday filed an amicus brief in support of the marriage equality in a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
The suit, Pareto v. Ruvin, was filed in January in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on behalf of Equality Florida Institute and six same-sex couples, and is one of four lawsuits challenging the ban. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami.
The lawsuit argues that Florida’s laws barring same-sex couples from marriage violate the United States Constitution by denying them the legal protections and equal dignity that having the freedom to marry provides.
In the brief, Crist states that as a former Governor and Attorney General who previously supported the ban, he is in a unique position to provide the court a perspective on why it is wrong, harmful to Florida and harmful to gay couples and children who are denied the protections only marriage provides.
“As former Governor, and as someone who previously supported this measure, Charlie Crist’s words matter a great deal,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida. “He has taken the same journey the majority of Floridians have taken in realizing that this ban serves no purpose but to disparage and discriminate against gay couples and our children.” - LGBT Nation, 6/30/14
57% of Floridans back marriage equality. Now the race remains close but Crist is on the right side of the issues like Medicaid Expansion, raising the minimum wage and medical marijuana so right now he's weathering Scott's negative attacks ads. Yes, the ads have made the race tighter but they haven't lifted Scott's numbers. Scott is trying to win over Veterans:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/...
As Gov. Rick Scott tours the state this week honoring military veterans, he is honoring a bloc of voters that could help in his difficult re-election fight.
Scott, who served in the Navy, created the Governor's Veterans Service Award in March and is handing them out to hundreds of veterans during events that started Monday and end Thursday, the day before Fourth of July.
The outreach has not been limited to giving the award. On Tuesday, Scott's campaign released a web video with a veteran talking about the state's "vet-friendly" environment and why he's supporting the governor.
"Rick Scott is just shameless, using taxpayer funds to campaign for re-election while using veterans as a political football," said Joshua Karp, a spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party. "Florida's veterans deserve better. If Scott really cared about Florida's veterans, he would have accepted federal funding to expand access to health care for over 40,000 veterans who currently lack it." - Orlando Sentinel, 7/2/14
And the Koch Brothers are worried about losing this race and what to get involved:
http://www.tampabay.com/...
Gov. Rick Scott is getting some help from Americans for Prosperity, which has begun phone banking and canvassing across Florida. The door-hangers pictured here are an example.
"We’re going to use that field effort, like we’re already doing, to educate folks on his record. And it's a pretty good one," AFP President Tim Phillips said in an interview near the group's headquarters in Arlington, Va.
AFP, which gets funding from the Koch brothers, has 10 field offices across Florida. Last year, AFP paid for TV ads attacking three Republican state senators -- Charlie Dean of Inverness, Nancy Detert of Venice and Greg Evers of Baker -- over pension and other issues.
AFP recently named Chris Hudson as Florida state director, replacing Slade O'Brien, who was promoted to a regional director.
Hudson had been Florida director for Strategic Advocacy, a public affairs firm, and the Foundation for Government Accountability, a free market think tank, in addition to directing numerous campaigns throughout the state, according to a release. - Tampa Bay Times, 6/30/14
Some people argue that Crist should debate Rich to ease people's concerns:
http://www.tampabay.com/...
Here are five reasons why debating Rich makes sense:
• Smart politics. By dissing Rich, Crist shows a lack of respect to Rich's supporters whose help he will need if, as expected, he wins the nomination. A lot of those supporters are in Rich's home base of Broward, a Democratic stronghold critical to Crist's hopes of victory in November. He can look statesmanlike and at the same time confront the fact that some view Rich as the only real Democrat running for governor. Then, under the lights, he can spend most of the time focusing on his true target, Gov. Rick Scott.
• Good practice. Crist hasn't debated in four years and he's probably rusty. An hour spent sparring on stage with Rich, and the disciplined preparation that it requires, is good practice for the fall campaign against Scott. The rap on Crist remains that he's lacking in substance and ideas, and a debate gives him a chance to dispel that notion. Rich also can be expected to throw Crist's past record in his face on issues such as guns, gay adoptions and school vouchers, all issues sure to be in play in the general election.
• Create a buzz. As the dog days of summer close in, there's always a palpable lethargy on the campaign trail in Florida. A Crist-Rich debate will awaken Democrats and force them to focus on what's at stake. Plus, it will generate a lot of media attention.
• Find the middle. For Crist, the only risk in debating Rich is that she may box him into saying something outlandish to appease the far left that could come back to haunt him with independents and conservative Democrats in the fall. But Crist is probably experienced enough to avoid that trap.
• Close the deal. A live televised face-off could dispel any notions that Rich may be the better candidate against Scott. On television, Crist looks like a governor because he was one, and that's a highly marketable asset that he should take advantage of at every opportunity. Trailing Scott in fundraising, Crist needs all the free publicity he can get.
Democratic voters in Florida deserve to see these two side by side and hear their visions of how they would lead this state.
Rich has much less experience in head-to-head debates, and she's the one playing catch-up in this primary. Eager to gain ground in a hurry, she may come off as combative or angry, creating a contrast to Crist's happy-warrior image. - Tampa Bay Times, 6/30/14
Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. While I understand the reasons I also feel that Rich is Progress United, the dark shadowy group's preferred candidate. The shadowy group has tried to claim Crist and Scott are the same person and the group's lack of transparency to me feels like it's a group aimed to help Scott by encouraging Democrats to back Rich who has consistently lagged behind Scott in the polls. But of course I'm interested to hear what you all think. i for one am stick ing with Crist. We still have four months to go but I believe he can beat Scott and the race is really starting to heat up. Click here to donate and get involved with Crist's campaign:
http://www.charliecrist.com/