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FloridaStrong digital ad blasts Legislature’s ‘misplaced priorities, failed leadership’

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

A new web ad released today by a Democratic-leaning “nonpartisan” group is criticizing the Legislature’s “misplaced priorities and failed leadership” as lawmakers start the 20-day special session.

The 60-second digital spot, “Disgraceful,” is the latest salvo in FloridaStrong’s multi-media campaign to educate votes and remind elected officials of the “in-district cost” of the state’s political stalemate over its nearly $80 billion budget.

On Monday, Florida Politics reported that the independent group targeted eight House Republicans in swing districts with a mailer accusing them of “fail(ing) leadership, violating the state Constitution, and endangering the health and well-being of Floridians.”

Neither the mailer nor the ad mentions the reason for the impasse – disagreement over Medicaid expansion and FHIX. The spot does talk about the “historic contempt for voters,” and a clip of House Appropriations Chair Richard Corcoran’s fiery speech on the House floor: “We are not dancing. We are not dancing this session, we are not dancing next session, we are not dancing next summer.”

As a statement from FloridaStrong says, their “organization will continue to provide the public with the tools and information needed to hold their elected officials accountable. … It is beyond time for the Florida House of Representatives to cut the gridlock and support the Senate’s pragmatic, bipartisan budget.”

FloridaStrong then called for lawmakers to consider the Senate’s “fiscally responsible plan,” which they say will “spur economic activity, increase state and local revenue and create jobs.”

“Disgraceful” is now available on YouTube.

Phil Ammann is a St. Petersburg-based journalist and blogger. With more than three decades of writing, editing and management experience, Phil produced material for both print and online, in addition to founding HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government and culture reviews for Patch.com, technical articles and profiles for BetterRVing Magazine and advice columns for a metaphysical website, among others. Phil has served as a contributor and production manager for SaintPetersBlog since 2013. He lives in St. Pete with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul and can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @PhilAmmann.

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