I work at a free clinic; a clinic that provides free primary healthcare to the uninsured of our community. Unfortunately it's a service that is sorely needed, as one-third of our adult population is uninsured; the working poor.
I've been in Tallahassee advocating for this clinic - actually, I've been inexhaustibly begging for funding by meeting with legislators, legislative staff, and department heads. It's been invigorating, challenging, and educational, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that it's also been exasperating, tiring, and, enlightening.
My parents had much respect for the voting and legislative process and taught me to have that same regard. Although I've never been involved, I do know that the legislative process can be long, tedious, complex and frustrating. Indeed, it is much more difficult to pass a bill than it is to kill one. There are numerous times and places during the legislative process at which a bill can die. Only a very few actually survive to become law.
The same is true for changes or additions to the budget.
In a nutshell:
First you have to find someone from the House to sponsor your request.
Then it's good to try to get someone from the other party to co-sponsor the request.
After you complete all of the paperwork, you submit it to the sponsor.
The sponsor submits it for review.
It's presented to committee, and if you're lucky, it passes that first round.
Then it goes to the Senate for review.
That's where you especially need an advocate on your side.
And if all goes as you planned -- you learn three months later if your budget item has made it through to the end.
I began my morning ready to face the world (okay, a few department heads), and win them over with my positive attitude, my infectious passion, and my vast knowledge. Since it was 25-degrees this morning, and because I feared being late (and getting lost), I stepped into my Jimmy Choos, put on my full-length wool coat and took a cab from the hotel to the Capitol building.
The cab ride is $2.50 then mileage -- my ride was $3.00!
How funny is that?
So, there I was sitting in the waiting room 45-minutes early. Surely I get points for my eagerness. And there I was stuck in high heels carrying my 20-pound coat. Now I lose points for my stupidity.
All good, though, because after my first meeting of the day, I had time to walk back to the hotel, dump the heels and the coat, and switch to flats for the remainder of the day.
Where I DIDN"T stay.
Where I DID stay.
For the next five-hours, I met with legislators and aides, hearing their agendas for this new session and talking about my agenda for the future of the clinic.
I don't use other people's names in my blog, but please know how much I appreciate those legislators who are willing to go out on a limb, cross party lines and sponsor the funding request. It will travel a long and bumpy road, but at least it's out of the locked garage and on the move, and for that, I'm forever grateful. If the request makes it all the way through to the final hearing, we won't know anything until April. Patience is definitely a virtue.
I've never imagined doing what I did today. I've never given any thought to going to Tallahassee, our state's capitol, to advocate for the much-needed services provided by the clinic. But then, again, I never thought about facing our local government officials, either -- and I did that, too. (with success)
A photo of the old Capitol Building with the gold dome, which is now a museum,
and the new Capitol Building right behind it, which is 22 stories high.
When I walked back to the hotel this evening in the cool, crisp air, I did it with a huge smile on my face, while thinking, "Ain't nothin' gonna' break my stride."
Hopefully, that's not short-lived, but don't worry, I'm not stupid.
I know the chances of the request surviving aren't great; that it will most likely get beat up from end to end. But I am proud of what I did on this visit to our state's legislature. Folks there now know what the clinic is and how important it is to the overall well-being of our community. If the request hits the cutting room floor, it won't be because the clinic is an unknown blip across Florida's financial radar.
Fall comes late to Florida.
For sure -- my dad and mom would have been proud, too.
Actually, they were both with me all day, so I know they are.
Now we just need to pray the funding comes through.
Dad's wedding band and Mother's earrings made into a heart pendant for a necklace.
Wish you were here to talk to!
