Florida firefighters become collateral damage for political revenge (UPDATED)

Each set of boots represented a Florida firefighter that is battling or lost a battle with cancer due to hazards in the fire industry. (Photo/Twitter)

The only thing standing in the way of a proposed bill sponsored by Florida Representatives on both sides of the aisle is Miami Lakes Republican House Speaker Jose Oliva.

Filed on February February 15, 2019, House Bill 857 (2019) had its first reading by the House committee on March 5, 2019, but has yet to be placed on the House Calendar for a second reading, an act that can only be done by the Speaker of the House.

In this case, Speaker Jose Oliva is refusing to allow the bill to move forward.

On April 15, 2019, the Tallahassee Democrat reported, “A bill requiring local governments to provide insurance and death benefits to firefighters with cancer would cost less than $5 million across a $90 billion state budget, and it has the support of the Senate and more than two-thirds of the House membership.”

The bill’s two main sponsors are Wellington Democrat Representative Matt Willhite and Clearwater Republican Representative Chris Latvala.  The Tallahassee Democrat article also notes that the bill’s other sponsors are from all over the state and “cover the entire political spectrum, from the most ardent leftist to the staunchest conservative.”

In her April 15, 2019 article, Jose Oliva holds firefighter cancer bill hostage for political payback, Political Cortadito blogger Elaine de Valle (a/k/a Ladra) explained:

House Bill 857 would require municipal governments to provide full cancer coverage, including disability and death benefits, to firefighters who meet a certain criteria, like being non-smokers and on the job for at least five years. Instead of workman’s comp, firefighters who are diagnosed with any of several specific cancers in the bill would get a lump sum one-time $25,000 payment, money that can help their families pay for the healthcare and keep their homes.

De Valle also noted:

It is a fact that firefighters get cancer and die of cancer at a higher rate than the rest of us — 14% higher. Study after study shows that job-related cancer is the number one killer of firefighters.

It is a fact that no fewer than 45 states have addressed this issue by passing laws that provide additional cancer coverage or health benefits for them.

It is a fact that a bill to extend cancer coverage for firefighters has sailed through and is certain to pass in the Florida Senate and has a whopping 82 sponsors in the House. That’s two thirds of the membership — more bipartisan support than any other bill this year, or perhaps any year ever, practically guaranteeing passage.

All of which makes it that much more puzzling why Speaker Oliva is denying the Legislature the opportunity to vote on this bill … and denying Florida’s first responders this desperately needed coverage.

Although Oliva claims that “he’s concerned about the cost to local governments,” firefighters insist that its because he is still holding a grudge against Coral Gables firefighter David Perez, who in 2018 ran against Manny Diaz, “Oliva’s friend and political ally,” according to the Tallahassee Democrat.  The article also noted, “A close Oliva ally, Frank Artiles, who resigned from the Senate in 2016 for racial slurs made at a Tallahassee bar and is soon to be reinstated as a lobbyist, posted on Perez’s Facebook page that the bill was doomed, according to the Political Cortadito website written by former Miami Herald reporter Elaine De Valle.”

The Speaker has so far refused to speak to any representatives of the firefighters unions.  He also ignored an email sent in February by Jim Tolley, president of the Florida Professional Firefighters, requesting a meeting.

Local firefighters, however, were heard by CBS Miami’s Jim DeFede.  Watch:

Oliva’s argument that the bill is too costly simply doesn’t hold water.  The Tallahassee Democrat noted, “An actuarial study conducted by Senate staff showed the annual cost to be $1 million for the state, and $3.28 million for all counties,” a cost that the bill’s Senate sponsor, Miami Republican Anitere Flores said was “very manageable.”

Or, as Ladra explained:

But the truth is the $5 million estimated impact it would statewide is a drop in the bucket in Florida, where, just last year, the legislature approved $147.5 million worth of budget turkeys, otherwise known as individual appropriations that circumvent the thorough and thoughtful committee and budget process, most of the time for legislator’s pet projects.

The truth is this bill’s blockage has nothing to do with the budget. This is nothing more than political payback. At its ugliest.

If you agree, please take action now!  The 2019 legislative session ends on May 3, 2019, and time is of the essence.  Please call or text House Speaker Jose Oliva at 305-761-6144 or 305-305-2110 and urge him to support Florida’s firefighters and move this bill forward immediately.

Thank you!

Stephanie

UPDATE: BREAKING NEWS!  Political Cortadito reported this morning, “State Rep. Jose Oliva, the Speaker of the House holding the firefighter cancer bill back all session, reversed his earlier decision and said Tuesday that he would bring HB857 — or something very similar to it — to the floor in the near future.”

To read her entire article, click here.

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9 thoughts on “Florida firefighters become collateral damage for political revenge (UPDATED)

  1. There is lots more to this story. Artiles absolutely hates IAFF Local 1403 President Omar Blanco.

    Artiles, as we all know, is a big bully. He will go to extremes to exact revenge on his opponents. Why Oliva thought Frank’s beef was one he would champion is unknown. Maybe Jose offered Frank free cigars for life. Who knows?

    It was just announced by the City of Miami Fire Chief, Joseph Zahralban, that Oliva will allow the bill to be heard on the floor of the FL House. It’s no guarantee it will be passed. We shall see. This is a huge eff you to 1403 President Blanco.

    1. That is certainly good news! With the kind of support it’s received in the legislature so far, there’s an excellent chance it will pass. I guess the pressure finally got to Oliva.

  2. Thank you Stephanie. This is the kind of low life political garbage that needs to be seen by all voters so that politicians know they will not get away with it. It shows a special kind of arrogance for Oliva to think he could get away with screwing a politically active group like firefighters. People in Miami Lakes must be embarrassed now that the whole state knows what a dick they elected. Of course there’s millions of embarrassed voters all over this country.

  3. Some masterful spinning in Oliva’s statement about allowing the bill to move foreword. No wonder he got to the high ranked position he’s in.

      1. Still trying to get the back story to this. I know that there was a beef between SoFlaFFs, Jose Oliva, and Frank Artiles. Elaine Delvalle outlined that in her piece.

        While FL FFs regale, the bill is still not guaranteed. DeSantis has not signaled he would sign it upon passage by the Leg.

        My fear is that that was part of the deal. Make the Leg look good while the Gov takes the heat. We shall see.

  4. Thank you for posting this. Having served 26 years as a firefighter and having numerous firefighters I worked with die from lung and brain cancer at an early age, and also many retirees. This bill makes sense. This guy Oliva just cut his own throat seeing how both democrats and republicans were on board with this bill, and at such a low cost . I know I speak for many active and retired firefighters and their families in thanking you for posting this. Thank you for all of your time and effort in researching this blog and all the others you post. YOU are a TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT !!!!!!!!! YOU deserve an award.

    Bill Simpson Miami Beach Fire Lt. – retired

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