Florida Action Center

SAVE FLORIDA'S CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Weekly Session Update

3/5/2010

Week One of session has concluded, and as has been typical in recent years, the budget has dominated the conversation in the halls of the Capitol. Our Advocacy Team will be paying close attention to these talks, particularly as they relate to our priority issues.

Coming on the heels of last year's successful "Pass the Buck" campaign, the Legislature wisely chose to spend a portion of the new tobacco surcharge revenues on life-saving cancer research. Up to $50 million was appropriated to the James and Esther King Biomedical Research and Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research programs for the Fiscal Year 2009-10.

Unfortunately, the Legislature did not choose to remove the January 1, 2011 sunset date from either of these programs. This session, SB 620 by Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and HB 861 by Rep. Marti Coley (R-Marianna) have been filed to continue funding each program at the $25 million level, as well as remove any sunset date, thus continuing these programs into the future.

The bill has begun to move in the Senate, having already passed its first two committee stops, a 7-0 affirmative vote in the Senate Health Regulation committee, chaired by Sen. Gaetz, and a 5-0 margin in the Senate Higher Education committee, chaired by Sen. Steve Oelrich (R-Gainesville).

The Senate bill has two more committee stops before moving to the Senate floor. Next up is the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations committee, chaired by Sen. Durrell Peaden (R-Crestview).

The House bill has yet to be heard in committee, and has three committee references: Health Care Regulation Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Nick Thompson (R-Ft. Myers), House Health Care Appropriations, chaired by Rep. Denise Grimsley (R-Sebring), and House Health & Family Services Policy Council, chaired by Rep. Ed Homan (R-Temple Terrace).

The Advocacy Team will continue to keep our volunteers updated on the progress of both the House and Senate bills, and will be calling upon our Grassroots Network to help Save Florida’s Cancer Research Programs.

We will also keep you apprised of funding proposals relating to Amendment 4, the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, as they emerge.

We appreciate your ongoing efforts in support of our Mission.  With your vigilance and timely action, we will be successful this session.

Yours in the Fight,

Paul

Paul Hull

Vice President, Advocacy & Public Policy

American Cancer Society, Florida Division

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