Jim Rosica
Call it a protest budget.
House Democratic Leader Kionne McGhee says the chamber’s minority Democratic caucus will unveil its own 2019-20 state spending plan around the third week of February.
McGhee spoke Wednesday at The Associated Press’ pre-Legislative Session briefing in the Capitol, saying he “found the money” to fund much of Democrats’ policy wish list items.
Asked later to clarify, the Miami Democrat – first elected in 2012 – said “there have been tax exemptions and other benefits that have been given out to corporations for years, recurring funds sitting there, and hasn’t been really touched.
“So we’re going to redirect those funds and we’re going to put them in a place where they actually belong. We’re going to give them to the people that actually deserve them.”
McGhee began his remarks by reflecting on his own upbringing — growing up in a housing project, being declared “mentally retarded as a kid” — and then saying his constituents tell him they worry about their health care, their past due bills, and their frustration that they “can’t get ahead.”
“How can we participate in democracy when (we)’re just trying to live? … Too many Floridians are struggling,” he said.
He also countered Republican House Speaker Jose Oliva‘s belief that free market solutions will fix the health care system. Oliva spoke earlier at the event.
Instead, “they’ve given us a reduced quality of care,” McGhee said, referring to managed care plans for Medicaid, for instance. He still favors Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
___
AP Day at the Capitol is hosted by The Associated Press. Several state leaders are slated to speak to media from across the state throughout the day. Check back for continued coverage.
