Union Leader, Small Business Owner, and Democratic Leaders Slam Trump for Broken Promises on the Economy Ahead of Trump Florida Visit

Ahead of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago weekend getaway, Florida leaders gathered at Local IBEW 824 today to condemn Trump’s broken promises to workers. Despite promising “huge growth” for “everyone” in 2016, Trump’s economy is a boon for the wealthy and a bust for low- and middle-income Floridians. The Pew Research Center found that more Americans say Trump’s economy is hurting them and their families than say it’s helping.

The panel included Stephanie Baxter-Jenkins, Executive Director of the Hillsborough County Teachers Association; Nazir Hassan, a small business owner; Cramer Verde, acting President of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida; and Christina Diamond, Senior Advisor to the Florida Democratic Party.

Roundtable Highlights

Stephanie Baxter-Jenkins, Executive Director, Hillsborough County Teachers Association (HCTA):

“We are really concerned as representatives of the biggest workforce in the county. Things certainly haven’t trickled down to make things easier.”

Nazir Hassan, owner of small, independent pharmacy in Pinellas and Hillsborough County serving low income communities:

“Trump made promises to increase [job] opportunities, but we still haven’t seen it.”

Christina Diamond, Senior Advisor, Florida Democratic Party:

“Next time Trump talks a big game of helping working families, remember this, 58% of Americans say the current economy is hurting the middle class.”

Cramer Verde, Acting President of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida:

“Everyday, I listen to members of the Hispanic community struggling under Trump’s economy. Not only has his tax scam resulted in Hispanic families losing millions in annual deductions, but also many of them are seeing increases in their taxes.”

Trump’s Broken Promises on the Economy

PROMISE: “I’m going to lower your taxes substantially.” [Trump Campaign Rally, Miami FL, 9/16/16]

REALITY: Trump’s tax scam will hike taxes on 3.6 million middle-class Floridians, while the richest 1% of Florida taxpayers receive 40% of the state’s cuts this year.

REALITY: 2027: The GOP-Trump Tax Bill Would Raise Taxes On 3.6 Million Florida Residents, Most Of Whom Will Have Incomes Less Than $78,500. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, 12/16/17]