Women for Feeney Media Release
Tom Feeney Stood Up While Suzanne Kosmas Sat Down
By: Sandy Murman, Former Member of Florida House of Representatives
As a leader in family and healthcare issues in Florida, who has served as an elected official with both Tom Feeney and Suzanne Kosmas, I have the unique ability to accurately compare the effectiveness of their leadership and advocacy on behalf of Florida's women, children and healthcare issues.
As Florida's House Speaker, Tom appointed me to serve as the first-ever female in the prominent and powerful position of Speaker Pro-Tempore. In this capacity, he heavily relied on me to inform and represent him in women's, families and health care issues. On his behalf, I chaired the first ever Florida Women's Health Summit, in which we examined and recommended changes to improve women's health care in our state. Also, as his representative, I chaired a statewide task force that recommended changes to our child welfare and protection laws, with the goal of creating the strongest and most protective guidelines possible for our children under state care.
I have personally seen Tom work across both sides of the aisle to support funding for cancer research. He helped create and pass a law that allows mothers to leave their newborns at safe houses rather than abandoning them and endangering their lives. Tom also championed the effort to set reasonable limits on frivolous lawsuits, helping to prevent the disaster that had Florida's obstetricians ready to close their offices and leave women with few private options for child deliveries. Additionally, Tom co-sponsored legislation for a five year extension on the original Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides coverage for the neediest children. He fought the radical version supported by Democrats that made taxpayers liable to cover medical needs for illegal aliens and middle-upper income families at a billion dollar plus price tag.
Through my personal experience, I believe that Suzanne Kosmas lacks the leadership skills necessary to create or support meaningful legislation on women and family issues. She never served as a chairwoman or a vice-chairwoman in her service in the Florida House, and her inability to reach across the aisle to work with both parties resulted in the prevention of any real progress or substantial legislation in KidCare and Child Care legislation during her service. Suzanne is currently supported by numerous trial attorney groups whose jobs are to file frivolous lawsuits which drive up health care costs and liberals groups that support the extreme left position of partial birth abortion.
While Tom Feeney stood at the podium as our leader in the State House, Suzanne Kosmas sat in the back aisle. But that shouldn't have stopped her from standing up, speaking up and stepping out on behalf of her constituents and the women and families of our state.
As a woman, a mother, and a leader in Florida's healthcare and family issues, and an individual that has served with both of the candidates, I highly recommend the voters stand up and choose Tom Feeney because Tom cares about the women in his community.
Orlando Business Journal Editorial Submission
Deborah Jallad was a finalist for the Orlando Business Journalâs "Women Who Mean Business", and winner of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) 2006 Trailblazer award. She is a member of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and the Women Presidents Organization.
Leadership in a Financial Crisis
By: Deborah Jallad, President of Accredited Surety & Casualty Company
As an owner of a successful family-owned business and member of the National Federation of Independent Business, I have always paid close attention to our elected officials in Washington DC and the support, or lack of support, which they have given to small business owners and taxpayers in our community. The current crisis on Wall Street has the potential to cripple the financial independence of many small businesses and put tremendous pressure on our taxpayers. This reality makes it essential to know who is representing you during these important times, and to be certain they are advocating and voting on behalf of the interests of the people, not the irresponsible giants on Wall Street.
In Central Florida, we are fortunate to be represented by Tom Feeney, a member of the House Financial Services Committee that The Wall Street Journal recently suggested is a leader for other conservatives to watch to learn âhow a principled conservative can politically weather a financial stormâ. During the housing bailout debate, Feeney delivered a speech on the House floor on behalf of the "forgotten man", the 95% of homeowners that are making their payments on time, stating that "the 99% of Americans that did not behave irresponsibly ... ultimately will pay the price for this bill".
I for one am relieved that there is at least person in Washington who is standing up and speaking out on behalf of us business owners and taxpayers, and who is questioning the radical fiscal bailout policy that is being presented in Washington currently, instead of lining up to drink the kool-aid like so many others.
We have all seen many elected officials advocate for fiscal restraint, and then practice out of control spending. Congressman Feeney has been a refreshing change from that trend as a nationally recognized leader on reducing frivolous spending in our tax budget. He has treated our national budget with the same careful planning and spending restraint that I employ in operating my business, and he shows great responsibility in the important role of crafting our nation's budget.
In addition to the current crisis on Wall Street, I can personally say that Tom Feeney has worked throughout his elected career to lead legislative efforts that support and encourage small businesses like mine and protect taxpayers from governments overstretching reach. Feeney has not only listened to the needs and concerns of the owners and employees of small businesses, he acts on our behalf and never sways from his goals of making small business ownership a realistic dream to follow.
Given the current economic environment and uncertainty on Wall Street, I believe it is absolutely critical that our leaders understand and employ policies that donât over regulate or over tax business. I am grateful that we have a leader in financial policy right here in our own backyard.