Sen. Bullard: Florida House Adjournment Short-Sighted

TALLAHASSEEHouse Democratic Leader Mark Pafford issued the following statement today after the Republican leadership adjourned the regular session three days early.

Sen. Dwight Bullard
Sen. Dwight Bullard

“We’re here, ready to work, ready to do the people’s business as they expect us to do,” Bullard said. “This action focuses the discussion. Now, the only thing we have to do is the budget. A debate on expanding Medicaid is essential to that work. Florida House Democrats happen to agree with the Legislature’s own experts who say Medicaid expansion is responsible and sustainable.

“I respect the speaker’s decision as his own to make, but I surely am ready to do the job I was sent here to do. It’s clear Gov. Scott has shown zero leadership and has only served to make things worse. I hope Speaker Crisafulli and President Gardiner will work together to come up with a special session call that represents the interests of the people of Florida. We don’t need Gov. Scott, never elected by a majority, to set the agenda for our Legislature.

“So, here we are. Our caucus stands ready to work, as we have for three years, on a bipartisan solution. Let’s do our best for the people of Florida.”