RE: Floridians should rise up against Legislature’s attack on public counsel, February 4, 2010
The Office of the Public Counsel is charged with the great responsibility and honor of representing the people of Florida in utility related matters. Given the power and influence of the utility industry and the necessary and essential public services that they provide, the role of the public counsel is certainly important and crucial to the people of Florida. The current counsel has performed admirably and effectively – perhaps too effectively for some of our colleagues.
The recent and historic victory by the public is refreshing, especially at a time when hard working, everyday Floridians can’t seem to catch a break. We share Howard Troxler’s outrage and urge that legislative leaders in Tallahassee allow Public Counsel J.R. Kelly to continue his representation of the people of our state. We think it is vital for honest and effective public servants to hold office and to be empowered with the necessary autonomy to be effective and to earn the people’s trust.
Finally, we’re always appreciative when Howard Troxler draws attentions to the failings of our state government. However, we think it is imperative to not attach blame to all legislators for the actions of a few. We’re working very hard to be part of the solution, to represent our constituents, and to be advocates for good government.
We encourage all Floridians to contact their legislators and to be heard loudly and clearly on this issue of importance.
The Clam Bayou estuary in Gulfport is one of my favorite spots in District 53. My staff and I ventured out there recently on kayaks and paddle boards in the hopes of removing some trash, getting a closer look at Mother Nature, and learning more about the challenges facing the bayou from Kurt Zuelsdorf, our nationally recognized tour guide. Below is some video shot by Kurt, with some photos taken by my staff. Enjoy…and go visit Clam Bayou!
As a constituent and a physician assistant, I strongly urge you to support S430 and/or H205 regarding the use of tanning services by individuals under 18 years of age. I feel it is very important to protect the children of Florida from this known human carcinogen.
I have personally seen the adverse effects of indoor tanning. I have seen a significant increase in the incidence of skin cancers including life threatening malignant melanoma in my younger patients as well as my older patients. Many of them have had extensive exposure to tanning beds since their early teen years, and this may have contributed directly to their skin cancers. The youngest patient I have seen with Melanoma was 5 years old. His mother took her to the tanning bed with her so she could look tanned in beauty pageants. What concerns me even more is that 30% of every Doctor and PA/NP visit in Primary care is skin related but Family Practice Residents only get two weeks of Dermatology specific training in their Residencies and this could lead to more missed Melanoma’s.
I am concerned about the growing incidence of skin cancer. This past summer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, moved UV radiation from tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category, labeling it as “carcinogenic to humans”.
In 2008, the National Cancer Institute reported that the number of melanoma cases for young women between the ages of 15 to 39 has increased as much as 50% from 1980 to 2004. It is believed that the rising rate of melanoma is, in part, due to the popularity of tanning salons among young women.
This year, more than 1.2 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is now the second most common cancer in women aged 20-29.
In 2009, over 69,000 people were diagnosed with melanoma. Florida had the second largest number of cases of melanoma in the country with an estimated 4,920 cases in 2009.
With these statistics come staggering health care costs. In 2004, the total direct cost associated with treating just non-melanoma skin cancer was $1.5 billion, $1.2 billion of which was attributed to care received in a physician’s office.
The World Health Organization and the American Medical Association have recommended that no one under the age of 18 use tanning parlor radiation.
In the interest of protecting teens from the early onset of serious medical conditions, I strongly ask that you support S430 and/or H205.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Randy Banks, MPAS, PA-C
President
Florida Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Inc.
The start of a new year and a new decade is the best time for us to reexamine our goals and to make new resolutions. As you know, the last decade wasn’t Florida’s best. We continue to face numerous challenges and complex problems. One of my resolutions is to make 2010 the year that we begin to finally fix Florida. Since the answers to many of our problems will only be found outside the walls of government in Tallahassee, I need your help. Visit 53 Fixes and tell me what you’d like to see fixed. What are your goals for Florida? What are your ideas? I value your feedback and assure you that I will take it to Tallahassee and work with my colleagues and Leadership to fix our state. It is my hope that 2010 is a prosperous one for you and your family!
The holidays are probably the worst time for a candidate to ask for money, but because our campaign is very close to an important milestone, I couldn’t let this moment pass. We are just a few thousand dollars shy of raising $30,000 in 2009. Please help me send a message to my two opponents by donating today. Your support is crucial to my reelection and to giving me another two years to help fix Florida.
Under Florida’s election laws, you are permitted to contribute up to $500.00 per person or entity to my campaign. If you feel strongly about my campaign and wish to donate more than your limit, your spouse or your business may also make a separate contribution.
Please send your contribution, made payable to the Rick Kriseman Campaign to:
P.O. Box 48806, St. Petersburg FL 33743-8806, or you can make a secure contribution by clicking on the ‘Campaign’ link above.
In this season of gifts and giving, I have a request. I want your ideas for fixing Florida!
Our state is facing numerous challenges, and the answers to many of these challenges can and will be found outside the walls of government in Tallahassee. They will come from Floridians. They will come from District 53 constituents. Please take a moment to respond to my request. I value your feedback and assure you it will be read and considered for formal action.
What are your ideas for fixing Florida? Email me at Kriseman.Campaign@gmail.com, Rick.Kriseman@myfloridahouse.gov, or call my office at
727-552-1380.
“(Kriseman) has been an effective, articulate, collegial force for a city in transition. His support of GLBT equality is unquestionable.” – Watermark Magazine, August 2006
