Week 4 - Legislative Session in Tallahassee Update

Friday, March 28, 2013

An abbreviated fourth week of Session has proven to be a busy one for important cancer issues. Senate appropriators kick-started their proposed FY 2013-14 spending plans on Wednesday, with the various appropriations committee chairpersons proffering initial budget proposals. The House followed suit later that same day. In the coming weeks, conference committees will ultimately reconcile the differences prior to a General Appropriations Act being sent to the Governor. ACS CAN, Florida Division has three appropriations priorities:
 
BREAST CANCER SCREENING - ACTIVELY SUPPORT state funding for the Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program for medically underserved women, at a level equal to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s program investment in Florida. Our request for the 2013 session is $2.4 million in state funding - building upon the first ever state appropriation for screening within that program last session. The initial Senate and House budget proposals on Health and Human Services do not contain this allocation.
 
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH - ACTIVELY SUPPORT measures that will increase Florida’s capacity for research and treatment, including clinical trials, especially measures that generate a substantial state investment in Florida’s research infrastructure. ACTIVELY SUPPORT Fiscal Year 2013-14 funding of the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program ($7.2 million) and the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program ($5 million) as prescribed in law, with a peer-reviewed and competitive grant process being the basis for program funding allocations. Proposals out of both chambers depict increases in biomedical research funding, but it is still unclear how much will be allocated to each program. 

TOBACCO PREVENTION AND EDUCATION - ACTIVELY SUPPORT the continued, full implementation of Article X, Section 27 of the Florida Constitution, as intended by the voters, funding the program at $65.6 million for FY 2013-14. Both chambers appear to be on target for this level of funding.
 
As the budget process moves forward, we will need our grassroots network to vigorously advocate for our life-saving mission.  Please stay tuned for regular updates, and be ready to respond to calls to action when they are issued. 
 
The Cancer Treatment Fairness Act continued to move this week. SB 422 by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R - Ft. Myers) is on third reading on the Senate floor and HB 301 by Rep. Debbie Mayfield (R - Vero Beach) passed unanimously out of House Appropriations. The House bill has just one more committee stop before it goes to the floor.

LIGHTS OF HOPE - On February 20th, the statewide group of ACS CAN volunteers who attended Advocacy Day in Tallahassee shared the cancer stories of their loved ones through a “Lights of Hope” display on the steps of the historic Old Capitol. To show how much stronger the support of our message has become since then, we’re planning another Lights of Hope display on April 22nd. YOU can take part by sending a Light of Hope to Tallahassee in honor or in memory of someone you love. For a $10 donation, your Light of Hope bag will be displayed on the Capitol steps in April.
 
As always, updated information on ACS CAN’s legislative priorities can be found at www.fightcancer.org/florida and you can get real-time updates on Twitter. Follow us at https://twitter.com/ACSCAN_Florida.