Mark Ferrulo: Here are your 2014 ‘Champions of Florida’s Middle Class’

Whether it’s handing out tax breaks for their campaign donors, funneling public school funding to unaccountable for-profit schools, blocking access to health care or allowing polluters to despoil our environment, far too many Florida politicians, Gov. Rick Scott chief among them, routinely ignore the needs of middle-class and working families.

But there are those legislators who are willing to stand up to moneyed corporate lobbyists and fight back. That’s why earlier this month Progress Florida and America Votes recognized 15 members of the Florida Legislature as “Champions of Florida’s Middle Class” for their unwavering support of Florida’s working families.

During the 2014 legislative session, these lawmakers voted to protect and expand the middle class in Florida 100 percent of the time, and championed a range of issues including stopping political interference in women’s health care, protecting local public schools, preventing burdensome restrictions on small businesses, and protecting our land and water.

These lawmakers deserve Floridians’ thanks for their steadfast support and leadership on the issues that matter most to middle class families. Despite stacked odds, they fought for an economy that works for all of us — and stood up at every turn to Scott and his legislative allies’ corporate cash-driven agenda.

We examined the voting results of 10 different bills that reached the floor of one or both chambers during the session, bills with direct impacts on middle class and working families. Legislators who voted the right way every time were awarded the title “Middle Class Champion.”

These Champions opposed passage of a state budget that rejected millions in federal tax dollars to expand health insurance to nearly 1 million working Floridians that now fall into the coverage gap.

These legislators are champions because they unequivocally stood up for middle class families despite pressure from Scott and his allies, who control both the House and Senate.

The Champions are:

• Rep. Lori Berman (Boynton Beach)
• Rep. Karen Castor Dentel (Maitland)
• Rep. Janet Cruz (Tampa)
• Rep. Reggie Fullwood (Jacksonville)
• Rep. Mark S. Pafford (West Palm Beach)
• Rep. Ricardo Rangel (Kissimmee)
• Rep. José Javier Rodríguez (Miami)
• Rep. Joe Saunders (Orlando)
• Rep. Elaine J. Schwartz (Hollywood)
• Rep. Irving “Irv” Slosberg (Delray Beach)
• Rep. Cynthia A. Stafford (Opa Locka)
• Rep. Perry E. Thurston, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale)
• Rep. Victor Manuel “Vic” Torres, Jr. (Orlando)
• Rep. James “Jim” W. Waldman (Coconut Creek)
• Rep. Clovis Watson, Jr. (Gainesville)

Are there other legislators who fight for the public interest in Tallahassee?  Absolutely.  The bar is set extremely high for the “Champion of Florida’s Middle Class” award.

Among the votes that were considered in naming the Champions were opposing efforts to undermine our public schools (SB 850), providing in-state tuition for Florida Dreamers (HB 851), voting against political interference in women’s health care (HB 1047), protecting Florida’s springs (SB 1576), and defending small businesses (SB 1714).

While there’s much focus on those politicians who put extreme ideology and self-interest ahead of what’s best for Florida families, we should also shine the spotlight on those legislators who are courageously standing up and fighting the good fight.

For a complete list of bill votes examined, and to send Florida’s Champions a note of thanks, visit www.MiddleClassChamps.com.

Mark Ferrulo is the executive director of Progress Florida, a statewide progressive advocacy organization. Column courtesy of Context Florida.