The Latest from Rick Kriseman

A recent press release from my office...

2010-03-03T13:49:01Z

Rep. Rick Kriseman files military readiness bill urging the United States Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

St. Petersburg, FL – Florida State Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) has filed House Memorial 1459 urging Congress to adopt and the President of United States to sign into law legislation that repeals the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and institutes a policy of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation with respect to service in the U.S. Military.

“It’s past time to end the failed policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. There are nearly eighty thousand gay or lesbian veterans who live in Florida; brave men and women who served honorably, but also in fear. They deserved better, and today’s service members deserve better. I urge our leaders in Washington, D.C. to move quickly in repealing this terribly ineffective law”, said Representative Kriseman, who serves as a policy advisor to the House Democratic Caucus.

“Rick Kriseman joins our military’s top leaders in recognizing that firing qualified service members based on anti-gay prejudice is both un-American and hurts out military’s readiness. Those who choose to serve their country deserve respect, not discrimination”, said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida.

More than 13,000 service members have been discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, including hundreds of service members in critical occupations, such as counterintelligence experts and medical specialists. Further, hundreds of language specialists have been discharged from military service under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, including 55 Arabic translators and nine Farsi translators, all of which are vitally important positions to intelligence gathering and are positions for which there is a critical shortage of qualified personnel.

“My wife and I have two children. We want them to grow up in a safe world. I wish this for all Floridians. There’s no doubt that this policy makes us less safe and compromises the readiness and expertise of our great military”, said Representative Kriseman.

HM 1459 is the only such bill filed in the Florida Legislature this session. It now awaits a committee reference and hearing.

Assault on public education continues in 2010

2010-02-21T16:10:44Z

The American Civil Liberties Union recently sued Florida, alleging that the state has failed to meet its constitutionally mandated duty to ensure that all public school students receive a quality education.

In response to this lawsuit and with Florida ranking in the bottom third of the country in education funding, the leaders of the Florida House and Senate decided to exacerbate the problem. Instead of treating education as a priority and proposing new legislation increasing funding to our schools, leadership reacted as only they know how — by filing legislation that cuts funding to schools, increases the transfer of public funds to private schools, and increases the number of students in a classroom.

The first bill, known as the “Right Size Class Size,” has been filed by Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.

Even those who fully support the class size amendment passed by Florida voters acknowledge that strict interpretation of the amendment can create difficulties for school districts.

I agree that districts need flexibility in implementing the class size amendment. And while I firmly believe that voters knew exactly what they were doing when they approved this amendment, I don’t believe anyone wants to create a situation where one late enrolled student would require the construction of a new classroom or the hiring of a new teacher. Floridians want smaller class sizes, but also reasonable and limited flexibility to address unique situations.

It is exactly for that reason that my colleagues and I in the Florida House, including Rep. Weatherford, voted in favor of CS/HB 7043, a 2008 bill that provided a flexible statutory mechanism for implementing the class size amendment while preserving its constitutional integrity and purpose. This bill originated in an education committee I had the pleasure of serving on known as the 21st Century Competitiveness Committee. The committee’s chairman worked in bipartisan fashion, eliciting input from Republicans and Democrats and from all stakeholders.

Given that most bills do not pass when first introduced, common sense would dictate that it be filed again, especially given its broad support. So why aren’t Weatherford and Gaetz refiling the bill this year? As usual, the answer is money. While the bill I favor would not impact the state’s education funding obligations, their bill will reduce education funding by $3.2 billion.

This is unconscionable.

The second bill, which has yet to receive a catchy name, is also being filed by Weatherford. This bill will significantly increase the school voucher program, enabling students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches the opportunity to attend a private school. A student’s attendance at the private school is then paid for by corporations who get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit in return for their contributions.

Those who oppose voucher programs typically have three concerns: accountability, separation of church and state, and funding.

Weatherford deserves credit for addressing some accountability issues in his bill, as it provides for financial reporting requirements for any private school that accepts public dollars. It further requires a school-by-school disclosure of standardized test scores for voucher students. I applaud the first part of this new accountability measure, but question how and why we ever approved a voucher program that didn’t require financial reporting on the use of taxpayer dollars. Regarding testing, students attending private schools on the taxpayers’ dime are not required to take the same standardized test as public school students.

Last year, I filed a bill that would have corrected this problem by requiring voucher students to take the FCAT. While the FCAT and the policies surrounding that test are almost universally disdained, my bill would have at least provided a consistent accountability measure. Unfortunately, House leadership refused to hear my bill.

As to religion being taught in a taxpayer-paid classroom, Weatherford makes no effort to address or correct this in his bill. While I fully support optional religious course electives or clubs in our public schools, teaching a single religion to our students at taxpayer expense is wrong.

Most importantly, vouchers take tax dollars, which would otherwise go toward general revenue and our public school system, and divert those dollars to private schools.

Weatherford was quoted in the St. Petersburg Times as stating, “There’s no doubt in my mind that public schools will always be the predominant way (of educating students), but that doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t have a choice.”

If our desire is for parents to “have a choice,” why continue to diminish the value and quality of our public schools, forcing parents to demand a private one? Public school won’t be a choice. It may just cease to exist in Florida.

Bring on the next round of lawsuits.

We agree; Floridians should rise up!

2010-02-08T00:59:07Z

RE: Floridians should rise up against Legislature’s attack on public counsel, February 4, 2010

The Office of the Public Counsel is charged with the great responsibility and honor of representing the people of Florida in utility related matters. Given the power and influence of the utility industry and the necessary and essential public services that they provide, the role of the public counsel is certainly important and crucial to the people of Florida. The current counsel has performed admirably and effectively – perhaps too effectively for some of our colleagues.

The recent and historic victory by the public is refreshing, especially at a time when hard working, everyday Floridians can’t seem to catch a break. We share Howard Troxler’s outrage and urge that legislative leaders in Tallahassee allow Public Counsel J.R. Kelly to continue his representation of the people of our state. We think it is vital for honest and effective public servants to hold office and to be empowered with the necessary autonomy to be effective and to earn the people’s trust.

Finally, we’re always appreciative when Howard Troxler draws attentions to the failings of our state government. However, we think it is imperative to not attach blame to all legislators for the actions of a few. We’re working very hard to be part of the solution, to represent our constituents, and to be advocates for good government.

We encourage all Floridians to contact their legislators and to be heard loudly and clearly on this issue of importance.

Most sincerely,

Representative Bill Heller

Representative Rick Kriseman

Representative Janet C. Long

Representative Daryl Rouson

Cleaning up Clam Bayou

2010-01-27T16:40:58Z

The Clam Bayou estuary in Gulfport is one of my favorite spots in District 53. My staff and I ventured out there recently on kayaks and paddle boards in the hopes of removing some trash, getting a closer look at Mother Nature, and learning more about the challenges facing the bayou from Kurt Zuelsdorf, our nationally recognized tour guide. Below is some video shot by Kurt, with some photos taken by my staff. Enjoy…and go visit Clam Bayou!

A letter I received regarding indoor tanning risks

2010-01-20T14:27:52Z

Dear Representative Kriseman

As a constituent and a physician assistant, I strongly urge you to support S430 and/or H205 regarding the use of tanning services by individuals under 18 years of age. I feel it is very important to protect the children of Florida from this known human carcinogen.

I have personally seen the adverse effects of indoor tanning. I have seen a significant increase in the incidence of skin cancers including life threatening malignant melanoma in my younger patients as well as my older patients. Many of them have had extensive exposure to tanning beds since their early teen years, and this may have contributed directly to their skin cancers. The youngest patient I have seen with Melanoma was 5 years old. His mother took her to the tanning bed with her so she could look tanned in beauty pageants. What concerns me even more is that 30% of every Doctor and PA/NP visit in Primary care is skin related but Family Practice Residents only get two weeks of Dermatology specific training in their Residencies and this could lead to more missed Melanoma’s.

I am concerned about the growing incidence of skin cancer. This past summer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, moved UV radiation from tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category, labeling it as “carcinogenic to humans”.

In 2008, the National Cancer Institute reported that the number of melanoma cases for young women between the ages of 15 to 39 has increased as much as 50% from 1980 to 2004. It is believed that the rising rate of melanoma is, in part, due to the popularity of tanning salons among young women.

This year, more than 1.2 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is now the second most common cancer in women aged 20-29.

In 2009, over 69,000 people were diagnosed with melanoma. Florida had the second largest number of cases of melanoma in the country with an estimated 4,920 cases in 2009.

With these statistics come staggering health care costs. In 2004, the total direct cost associated with treating just non-melanoma skin cancer was $1.5 billion, $1.2 billion of which was attributed to care received in a physician’s office.

The World Health Organization and the American Medical Association have recommended that no one under the age of 18 use tanning parlor radiation.

In the interest of protecting teens from the early onset of serious medical conditions, I strongly ask that you support S430 and/or H205.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Randy Banks, MPAS, PA-C President Florida Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Inc.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T21:28:20Z

The start of a new year and a new decade is the best time for us to reexamine our goals and to make new resolutions. As you know, the last decade wasn’t Florida’s best. We continue to face numerous challenges and complex problems. One of my resolutions is to make 2010 the year that we begin to finally fix Florida. Since the answers to many of our problems will only be found outside the walls of government in Tallahassee, I need your help. Visit 53 Fixes and tell me what you’d like to see fixed. What are your goals for Florida? What are your ideas? I value your feedback and assure you that I will take it to Tallahassee and work with my colleagues and Leadership to fix our state. It is my hope that 2010 is a prosperous one for you and your family!

Final push

2009-12-21T19:36:18Z

The holidays are probably the worst time for a candidate to ask for money, but because our campaign is very close to an important milestone, I couldn’t let this moment pass. We are just a few thousand dollars shy of raising $30,000 in 2009. Please help me send a message to my two opponents by donating today. Your support is crucial to my reelection and to giving me another two years to help fix Florida.

Under Florida’s election laws, you are permitted to contribute up to $500.00 per person or entity to my campaign. If you feel strongly about my campaign and wish to donate more than your limit, your spouse or your business may also make a separate contribution.

Please send your contribution, made payable to the Rick Kriseman Campaign to: P.O. Box 48806, St. Petersburg FL 33743-8806, or you can make a secure contribution by clicking on the ‘Campaign’ link above.

Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

Let's fix Florida!

2009-12-08T21:57:00Z

In this season of gifts and giving, I have a request. I want your ideas for fixing Florida! Our state is facing numerous challenges, and the answers to many of these challenges can and will be found outside the walls of government in Tallahassee. They will come from Floridians. They will come from District 53 constituents. Please take a moment to respond to my request. I value your feedback and assure you it will be read and considered for formal action.

What are your ideas for fixing Florida? Email me at Kriseman.Campaign@gmail.com, Rick.Kriseman@myfloridahouse.gov, or call my office at 727-552-1380.

The legislature is in session

2009-12-03T11:58:42Z

Senate President Atwater and House Speaker Cretul have convened a Special Session to address mass transit in Florida as it relates to rail. Legislative rules preclude candidates from raising money during session. If you’ve visited Kriseman.com intending to donate to my campaign, I encourage you to come back and do so at the conclusion of session. As always, thank you for your support.

Merging Pinellas land use, transportation

2009-11-30T12:55:03Z

Here is the text of a letter I sent today to the heads of the Pinellas Planning Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization. This letter follows consideration I gave to filing a local bill that would merge the two bodies.

Dear Mr. Healey and Mr. Smith,

As you know, my office has drafted a local bill idea that aims to merge the Pinellas Planning Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, an idea that has been ruminating for quite awhile given the occasional shared focus of these two bodies and the desire for a more efficient local government, especially in this economic climate.

The deadline for local idea submissions this year was November 14th. Instead of presenting a concept to the delegation, gaining approval, and finishing work on the bill in Tallahassee, my office strove to share specific language now in order to have more informed discussions with each of you and others, and make any necessary changes prior to next month’s delegation meeting. Not surprisingly, the first draft of this bill has generated much reaction.

One of the things I’ve learned while in elected office, and witness too often in Tallahassee, is that bad legislation, legislation that produces unintended consequences, is usually the result of haste and hurry – whether by design or negligence. Good legislation, however, is usually the product of thoughtful deliberation and collaboration. Given the non-emergency nature of this issue and my desire for good legislation, I intend to withdraw the aforementioned local bill from consideration and work to facilitate further discussion in the hopes of creating a sound plan for reducing the size of our local government, saving taxpayer money, and eliminating redundancies.

In closing, while I believe there is a need and an opportunity for consolidation, I happen to be a fan of both the PPC and the MPO, and in light of the legislature’s approach to growth management, believe the planning council’s scope of work has never been more important. I look forward to partnering with each of you, and our many local leaders over the course of the next year, in determining the best course of action.

Sincerely,

Rep. Rick Kriseman