TaxWatch, the self proclaimed government watchdog group in Florida, has labeled two FAMU projects in the proposed 2008-2009 state budget as "turkeys". Using TaxWatch's definition, a "turkey" is wasteful/unnecessary government spending. Florida's proposed 2008-2009 state budget, which was passed last month by the Legislature, is awaiting Gov. Charlie Crist's signature to become law.
TaxWatch claims that the $2M in the state's budget for expansion of the FAMU school of pharmacy and $2.5M Rural Diversity Healthcare Project in Crestview, FAMU is slated to receive, didn't go through the Board of Governors approval process, and Gov. Charlie Crist should use his line item veto authority on both.
The $2M for the pharmacy was appropriated earlier but neither Fred Gainous nor Castell Bryant spent it and the money reverted back to the state treasury.
College of Pharmacy officials maintain that the $2M is absolutely critical to allowing the school to begin planning to construct a new wing on to the pharmacy building (Phase II), and maintaining the college's accreditation.
Rural Diversity Health Care is a "good program" that would allow Northwest Floridians to obtain doctoral degrees in pharmacy, physical therapy and other health fields, said Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview. "The people at TaxWatch just need to watch the taxes."
Governor Crist needs to hear from you
Gov. Charlie Crist may need to hear from the Rattler Nation to protect this two important FAMU projects. Call Governor Crist at:
* Executive Office of the Governor: (850) 488-7146
[Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time]
Via email: Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com
Ask Gov. Crist to support all of the FAMU projects in the 2008-2009 state budget, particularly Pharmacy phase II and Rural Diversity Healthcare.
Also see: Gov. Crist vetos FAMU Pharmacy money
Pharmacy facesoff -vs- Castell
Lewis -vs- Bryant the back story
Pharmacy placed on probation
Time to get on those telephones! We can't afford to lose pharmacy!
ReplyDeleteThere are some many entities out there that pray and pray on the downfall on FAMU. Its very sad.
ReplyDeleteGov. Crist signed the budget today and kept FAMU's pharmacy and rural diversity healthcare money intact!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charlie!
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapolitics/entries/2008/06/11/crist_budget_vetos_all_3_of_th.html
Crist budget vetos (all 3 of them)
By Michael C. Bender | Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 02:16 PM
A year after his veto pen erased a record $459 million in projects from the state budget, Gov. Charlie Crist opted to cut just three projects this year from the $66.2 billion budget.
*$250 million, set to come out of Citizen’s Property Insurance Corp. budget, to fund a second year of the capital build-up program.
*$840,000 for the Exponica International in Miami.
*$300,000 for restoration of the Harris Chain of Lakes in Palatka.