TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Don't Abandon Needy Children

ADVERTISEMENT

By DAVID A. BUNDY

Published: December 31, 2007

It is customary to enter a new year with a sense of expectation and bright plans for our future. But as I look at the many challenges Floridians face in 2008, I fear for the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable children.

This year Florida faces the largest revenue shortfall in recent memory. As our legislative leaders face this challenge, it might be helpful to compare the situation to our own family budgets when deciding what we can live without. Most families around the state are watching their budgets very closely, cutting non-essential items so they can provide their children with the necessities: food, housing and health care. But for more than 43,000 children and young people - those who were removed from their families for their own well-being - the state of Florida itself is charged with these budget decisions.

Each year, the state budgets money to house, feed, clothe, educate and heal these children. We have the same obligation to them as we have for our own children: to manage our budget efficiently while ensuring they are safe, healthy and prepared for life.

It is my hope that our legislative leaders honor that obligation as they formulate solutions to Florida's growing budget problem. Living up to our obligations is never easy. That is the real challenge for the Florida Legislature this year.

Many budgetary concepts worthy of examination outline ways Florida can address its revenue shortfall without harming our children. Just one example is a September 2007 Special Report from Florida TaxWatch titled "Food for Thought ... Addressing State Efficiency and Accountability Issues."

Another is for legislators to carefully consider the impact of local projects (known as community-budget issue requests) preserving precious dollars already earmarked for basic needs of children in the state's care, and spending only to extend youths' access to such essentials.

There is no "easy button." Instead, our legislative and executive leaders must guide us through the budget challenge by setting aside simplistic formulas and working hard to achieve real efficiencies.

As they do, I hope they all resolve in this new year to keep Florida's most vulnerable children and youth foremost in their minds.

David A. Bundy is president/CEO of Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS).

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT