Jacob Ogles
Republican Caucus leaders listed health care and education reforms as high marks of a “transformational” session.
In a statement from the Majority Leader’s Office, House Republican Leader Dane Eagle called 2019 an “historic year.”
“We kept our promise to cut taxes for our citizens and increase accountability and transparency for our elected officials at every level,” he said.
“We met the Governor’s challenge to protect the environment. And we enacted precedent-setting school choice legislation. I am proud of the work we accomplished and am excited to see the positive impact these policy measures will have on our great state.”
Education Chair Jennifer Sullivan, a Eustis Republican, touted an expansion of school vouchers.
“Our goal has always been to create a safe and productive educational environment for all students, ensuring each has the opportunity to reach their full academic potential,” Sullivan said. “At the end of the day, it is the parents who know what is best for their child in determining his or her education. They have no special or outside interests, no political gain to make, no motives other than providing the best education possible for their child.”
She also said legislation allowing armed teachers adds to educators’ choices on how to defend their own classrooms.
“Similarly, it is the teachers who know what is best for the safety of his or her individual classroom,” she said.
“I am proud to say that we passed legislation empowering parents by giving them greater choices in their child’s education along with empowering teachers by giving them the choice to decide how they protect students in their classroom.”
The House Republicans also supported less controversial wins like the authorization of a sales tax holiday and increases in education and disaster funding.
And Health and Human Services Chair Ray Rodrigues, an Estero Republican, celebrated free market reforms in that arena.
“It is an exciting new day for the Members of the Florida Legislature and all those who call this state home,” he said.
“The passage of these bills have helped us reach our goal of offering Floridians greater access to affordable, quality healthcare. Through innovation, more competition and greater options in healthcare we have set a standard in this state and a precedent for other states. I am excited to see the progress made in the healthcare industry with the implementation of these bills.”
He said repeal of the Certificate of Need process, drug imports an expansions in telehealth will all help Floridians.
