News
2014 Legislative Session Update - Week 5
2014 Legislative Session Update
Week 5 Update
Friday, April 4, 2014
During this fifth week of the 2014 Legislative Session, the House and Senate took to the floor to begin debate on the various sections of the proposed budget. Below is a quick update on how our top priorities have fared in each chamber so far:
-
The Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
House - $1.24 million in nonrecurring (or single year) funding and $300,000 in recurring for a total of $1.54 million
Senate - $25,000 in nonrecurring and $300,000 in recurring for a total of $325,000 -
The James & Esther King Biomedical Research Program - $10 million in both chambers
-
The Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program - $10 million in both chambers
-
The Tobacco Prevention and Education Program - $66.6 million in both chambers
After each chamber wraps up debate and votes on their respective budget packages, conference committees will be convened to work out the difference between the two. We are working diligently with the both the House and Senate to reach our funding goals for each priority program.
We also we had the opportunity this week to meet with Governor Rick Scott and share the perspective of the thousands of cancer patients and survivors throughout Florida. Cancer research was one of the top issues discussed, as we continue to advocate for increased funding for the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program and the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program. We commend the Governor’s commitment to cancer treatment and research, and look forward to working together with him in the fight against cancer. To see the press release from the Governor’s office, click here.
House Bill 169 by Representatives Frank Artiles (R- Miami) and Ronald “Doc” Renuart (R- Ponte VedraBeach) has not yet come to the House floor, but is still in play. Please be on the lookout for action alerts early next week to help us stop this dangerous bill that would strip local governments of their ability to regulate tobacco products and block future opportunities to protect kids in the retail environment. Next week will be our biggest push to fight back, so be at the ready!
Updated information on ACS CAN’s legislative priorities can be found at www.fightcancer.org/florida. You can follow the action in real-time on Twitter at @ACSCAN_Florida and please be sure to click here to “like” our new Facebook page.
Yours in the fight,
Heather
Heather Youmans
Florida Government Relations Director
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network