Phil Ammann
A new web ad released Tuesday by a Democratic-leaning “nonpartisan” group is criticizing the Legislature’s “misplaced priorities and failed leadership” as lawmakers start the 20-day Special Session.
The 60-second digital spot, “Disgraceful,” is the latest salvo in FloridaStrong’s multimedia campaign to educate voters and remind elected officials of the “in-district cost” of the state’s political stalemate over its nearly $80 billion budget.
On Monday, Florida Politics reported that the independent group targeted eight House Republicans in swing districts with a mailer accusing them of “fail(ing) leadership, violating the state Constitution, and endangering the health and well-being of Floridians.”
Neither the mailer nor the ad mentions the reason for the impasse – disagreement over Medicaid expansion and FHIX. The spot does talk about the “historic contempt for voters,” and a clip of House Appropriations Chair Richard Corcoran’s fiery speech on the House floor: “We are not dancing. We are not dancing this session, we are not dancing next session, we are not dancing next summer.”
As a statement from FloridaStrong says, the “organization will continue to provide the public with the tools and information needed to hold their elected officials accountable. … It is beyond time for the Florida House of Representatives to cut the gridlock and support the Senate’s pragmatic, bipartisan budget.”
FloridaStrong then called for lawmakers to consider the Senate’s “fiscally responsible plan,” which it says will “spur economic activity, increase state and local revenue and create jobs.”
“Disgraceful” is now available on YouTube.
