Statements
ICYMI: Mayor Levine Cava, Rep. Mucarsel Powell, FDP Chair Diaz highlight how President Biden’s Plans Help South Florida
“All of this investment is going to yield significant returns for South Florida and for our state so that our communities can continue to grow and prosper.”– Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Today, South Florida Democratic leaders hosted a press conference in Spanish and English to highlight how the American Rescue Plan has helped South Florida and how the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan will build on that progress.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz:
“The American Rescue Plan provided billions of dollars in relief to Florida that has helped us vaccinate more Floridians more quickly and more equitably than our governor was doing.”
“Because of this plan, our economic job growth rate is projected to be at 8% this year which is higher than any year since 1951.”
“The result of this plan is that Floridians and all Americans are beginning to go back to work, small businesses are beginning to reopen, our children are returning to school and our lives are getting back to normal. “
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
“We have been so blessed to have this American Rescue Plan for the benefit of Miami Dade County residents— from the cash assistance directly to residents, to the half a billion dollars that we are getting ready to spend– this is so important… And we are gearing up our plan for how we are going to use this to address infrastructure needs, job needs and humanitarian needs— it is quite an incredible opportunity for our community.”
“We are also now focusing on increasing the vaccine demand, because while things are progressing very well, we know we are not out of the woods until we get more people vaccinated and these dollars are the backbone of that program.”
“Our Latino community has benefited especially here, as they were in many ways on the frontlines of this crisis, both as essential workers and small business owners… This American Rescue Plan has been a lifeline for workers and businesses all across the county.”
“We are going to build on this progress with the American Jobs Plan. So much of our infrastructure is in disarray because of systemic lack of investment. We are looking forward to turning the tide– this will be a historic investment in everything from bridges, roads, public transport, water, broadband, housing, and especially here in South Florida in the conversion from septic to sewage systems which right now is putting our tourism economy and health at risk.”
“The only way out of traffic is to revitalize our public transport systems. Lack of strong public transport systems hurts quality of life because people are spending more time in traffic… The American Jobs Plan will be instrumental in helping us expand our system.”
“Also this plan is about internet and broadband. It is clearly that strong internet access is a part of our economy… it is not a luxury, it is a necessity and we can use the American Jobs Plan to make the essential investments to ensure that everyone has access.”
“Overall this plan is about investing in our 21st century infrastructure.”
Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
“The American Families Plan builds on the progress that we have already made with the American Rescue Plan. This investment is going to build on the foundations that make our middle-class prosper. These are things like education, health care, and child care. It will help families cover the basic expenses that so many struggle with now, lower health insurance premiums, and continue the American Rescue Plan’s historic reductions in child poverty.”
“We know that when American families do well, our entire nation thrives”
“Hundreds of thousands of families across Florida, can’t afford child care, they can’t afford preschool for their children, they can’t access higher education. The American Families plan will change that.”
“So many families have had to forgo higher education for their children because they can’t afford it, especially after this pandemic. The American Families Plan will provide at least two years of free community college to all students which is something I strongly believe is going to build that foundation. And it also includes DREAMers and it will increase the maximum Pell Grant awards– making higher education more accessible for everyone.”
“It will also make childcare more accessible. The average family in Florida spends 10 percent of their income on child care every year. For many this cost is just too high. As a working mom, I saw first hand how high the costs of childcare could be.”
“The American Families Plan will enable low and middle-income families to pay no more than 7 percent of their income on high-quality child care, generating lifetime benefits for nearly 500 thousand children here in our state”
“In addition, the American Families Plan will ensure that all employees in funded preschool programs are paid a $15 minimum wage…The teachers who shape our kids for the their lifetimes deserve to be paid a living wage
“Over 600,000 kids in South Florida will benefit from the expanded child tax credit and over 60,000 will be lifted out of poverty.”
“All of this investment from this plan we know is going to yield significant returns for South Florida and for our state so that our communities can continue to grow and prosper.”
Watch the press conference here