NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTYFor Immediate Release: April 29, 2009   Florida Democratic Party Vice-Chair Judy Mount Recognizes Obama Administration’s Early Accomplishments and Upcoming Priorities Tallahassee, FL – Florida Democratic Party Vice-Chair Judy Mount issued the following statement on behalf of Democrats across Florida to recognize the Obama Administration’s early accomplishments and highlight upcoming efforts by the President and Congressional Democrats to move forward the Administration’s agenda on health care reform, a new comprehensive energy policy and education.   Since his inauguration, President Obama has passed an economic recovery package that gives a tax cut to 95 percent of Americans and will save or create three to four million jobs across the country.  He signed a law that makes it illegal for men and women to be paid differently for the same job, which means parents in Florida will finally receive equal pay for equal work.  He put responsible science and technological innovation ahead of ideology by lifting the ban on potentially life-saving stem cell research.  He passed legislation to enhance the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and expand coverage to an additional 4 million children, bringing to 11 million the number of children covered under SCHIP.  And he worked with Democrats in Congress to pass a budget blueprint that invests in America’s future by making bold investments in healthcare, education and renewable energy. “With unemployment on the rise, home foreclosures up and what seems like an ever-growing number of people without adequate health insurance, families in Florida are struggling.  Yet as bad as things are, we’re starting to see signs of progress,” said Mount. “The Obama Administration inherited a terrible mess: a $1.3 trillion deficit, two wars, rising unemployment and an unprecedented fiscal crisis.  What President Obama and his team have been able to accomplish since taking office just three months ago is nothing short of remarkable. “Here in Florida the President’s economic recovery package has already put thousands of people back to work and many projects are being completed faster than originally anticipated, and under budget. More children have health insurance thanks to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). “Democrats in Florida are proud of President Obama’s progress, but our pride is tempered with realism and recognition of how much more needs to be done. Our health care system is bankrupting individuals and businesses alike with skyrocketing costs, too many of our kids aren’t getting the education they’ll need to be competitive in the global marketplace, our dependence on foreign oil has made us less secure, and too many people are struggling to pay their mortgages and put food on the table. “If the last three months are any indication, we can anticipate Republicans won’t be much help in bringing about the change voters called for so overwhelmingly last November. Not one Republican supported President Obama’s historic budget.  They continue to put partisanship ahead of progress and politics ahead of what’s best for our country. “We look forward to working with President Obama, our state leaders and legislators in Washington to make sure the progress we’re recognizing today is a first step – a down payment – on more substantive action to come that will put Florida and our country back on the road back to long-term economic prosperity.”   -###-