James Call
Senate Democrats kicked off the second half of the 2015 Legislative Session with a pep talk from Democratic National Committee Chair and south Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
In a pre-floor session huddle Schultz she came to bolster their efforts to uphold “the will of the voters” on both Medicaid expansion and the spending of Amendment 1 money.
The Senate will consider an amendment by Sen. Thad Altman directing more than $300 million towards land buying for conservation. However Democrats argue that voters passed Amendment 1 with the understanding it would generate $740 million for environmental programs.
Schultz blasted the Republican majority for being out of step with voters.
“They willingly flagrantly thumb their nose in the face of the will of Florida voters,” said Schultz. “Whether it’s Amendment 1 and land preservation or Medicaid expansion or any other of a number of issues . . . we have to make sure that we amplify the voice of people who need us and sent us here.”
Schultz said she intended to spend Wednesday on the floor in both the House and Senate bolstering Democrats’ spirits and “whispering in the ear” of Republican friends.
