The 2011 Florida Legislative Session convenes in Tallahassee in less than a month - and promises to be one of the most challenging in recent history. In anticipation, All Children's Hospital invited state legislators and other key decision makers to its annual Legislative Breakfast on Feb. 11th.
The gathering, co-hosted with our neighbors at SRI International and USF St. Petersburg, took place in our ECC Auditorium and drew nearly 100 attendees. It offered an opportunity for lawmakers to learn more about the growth and concerns of these three key players in downtown St. Petersburg's emerging technology cluster.
All Children's CEO Gary Carnes answered questions about provisions for continued local control of the hospital as our proposed integration with Johns Hopkins Medicine proceeds. He also pointed out that Governor Scott's proposed budget - if enacted today - would lead to a $25-million loss of revenue for All Children's Hospital.
The chairman of the Pinellas County delegation of the Florida Legislature, Representative Jim Frishe, assured everyone that the governor's budget is a guideline subject to change as the legislature begins it appropriations work. And he reminded everyone that citizen input is vital to this work. "We need your input about how these proposals may affect you," Frishe added, "because that's how we govern well."
Our thanks to all those lawmakers who attended: FL Rep. Jim Frishe, FL State Sen. Dennis Jones, FL State Sen. Jack Latvala, FL Rep. Ed Hooper, Clearwater City Councilman George Cretekos, former FL State Sen. Jim Sebesta, and staff members from the offices of US Sen. Bill Nelson, Congressman Bill Young, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, FL Rep Jeff Brandes and FL Rep. Rachel Burgin.
If you haven't already signed up to be part of Voice4Allkids, now is a perfect time. You'll be alerted via e-mail whenever issues related to children's health come up for legislative debate.
challenging in recent history. In anticipation, All Children's Hospital invited state legislators and other key decision makers to its annual Legislative Breakfast on Feb. 11th.
