FORMER BUSH/CRIST PRISON CHIEF CALLS FOR MAJOR BUDGET REFORM
Jim McDonough, former Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections, and, before that, the Florida drug czar, argues that Florida's soaring prison costs can be reduced by investing in substance abuse treatment, education, job training and work release centers.
This approach is known to work and does in several states across the country. The big news is that his body of recommendations would save billions over time and is coming from the man who served as Florida's prison chief with distinction under Governors Bush and Crist.
His opinion editorial penned for the Tallahassee Democrat chronicles a means to protect public safety while also decreasing the Florida prison population. It would free up huge sums of cash to invest in our schools, healthcare, children's programs, services to the elderly and more.
This is especially important in light of the cuts made to children's programs during the past two sessions of the Florida legislature, another round of cuts during the recently completed Special Session, with more threatened cuts to come during regular session.
For a complete list of budget reductions passed last week by the Florida Legislature, a link is provided here to the Children's Service Council's (CSC) Newsletter which we believe did a stellar job with the details.
Florida needs more officials like Mr. McDonough willing to take stock and come forward with ways that Florida can make wiser use of the state's tax dollars. As he says, "to do so would take some thoughtfulness and a little political courage; mostly it would take leadership, especially from the Legislature."
CHILDREN'S CAMPAIGN ADDS TWO CITIZENS TO BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Kathleen Waltz is the former publisher of the Orlando Sentinel. Her career spans thirty-four years in Chicago, Virginia and Florida. She retired from the Tribune Company in February 2008 as president, publisher and chief executive officer of Orlando Sentinel Communications and vice president of Tribune Publishing.
Waltz holds a bachelor's degree from DePaul University School for New Learning in Chicago and completed the Advanced Executive Program at Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Bill White previously served as the Elected Public Defender of Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties. In total, he provided 34 years of service to the community in the Public Defender's Office. He is now affiliated with Communities in Schools in Jacksonville.
Bill received the National Legal Aid and Defender Association's Defender Services Award (the highest national honor given to an assistant public defender). He is active with Take Stock in Children, serving as the Chair for the Leadership Council, a member of the Student Selection Committee, and mentor to five students.
Bill grew up in north Florida and attended local public schools. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at the University of Florida, he received his Juris Doctor Degree, University of Florida, College of Law.
The addition of these citizen leaders will support the Children's Campaign reach its vision of a public policy environment where investment in children is a priority and our leaders are held accountable for their actions.
CHILD ADVOCACY THROUGH PRESIDENT ROY MILLER'S EYES
Child advocates now have the opportunity to learn more about grassroots programs across the state as well as hot topics in child advocacy. The launch of the President's Corner, a new feature on the www.iamforkids.org website, lets CC President Roy Miller share some of wonderful programs he has seen across the state. Visit the site to read the first entry about the Sulzbacher Center, in Jacksonville, and Roy's op-ed featured in five major Florida newspapers.