Floor Vote for

Bill Number:	5005
Date:	Thursday, March 19, 2020
Reading #:	0
Barcode #:	NA
Sequence:	774
In the Chair:	Oliva
Floor Actions:	Conference Committee Report, Passage

Total Yeas: 104

Total Nays: 0

Total Abstained: 0

Total Missed: 16

Total Votes: 104

Vote After Roll Call:

Geller -

I write this to explain my vote on the FY 20-21 General Appropriations Act. I support the Conference Report and the Budget. Due to the COVID-19 crisis currently facing our state, I am unable to attend the scheduled House legislative session on March 19th, 2020. I believe I should follow CDC guidelines, and I have multiple risk factors. Accordingly, I have requested, and received, an excused absence. If permitted, I would attend the meeting virtually, and vote by Skype. I would vote up on the budget. It is a product of a great deal of hard work by both Chambers, including the Appropriations Chairs and Sub Chairs. Chair Cummings has particularly done a great job. I am particularly gratified at the exclusion of several proposed inappropriate tax breaks, in order to supplement our flexibility in dealing with the COVID-19 virus problems we face, while retaining the tax breaks targeted for our Florida families, who surely need more help now than ever. I also applaud the increases in funding for teacher pay, for affordable housing, and for environmental protection, along with many other issues. I submit this statement so that the public may understand my opinion of this budget.