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UWCF Goes to Capitol Days

In preparation for the 2023 Legislative Session, United Way representatives from around the state convened in Tallahassee on February 21 & 22 to hear updates on Priority United Way Issues, learn from policymakers and experts about the upcoming session, and encourage our legislators to support the 2023 Florida United Ways Consensus Legislative Agenda.

Marcus Wright, Suzette Jones, Jordan Weiland, Melissa Nelson (United Way of Florida CEO), Christina Criser Jackson and Mark Miller

President and CEO Christina Criser Jackson, Resource Development Manager Marcus Wright, Marketing Content Strategist Jordan Weiland, Board Member Mark Miller and United Way of Florida Board Member Suzette Jones traveled to Tallahassee to meet with other United Way colleagues and our local legislators. United Way of Florida had three initiatives that they asked us to speak about with our politicians.


We asked them to:

  • Invest $1.2 million in state funding to match the $1.8 million that local United Ways bring to the table to enhance opportunities for free tax preparation and result in dollars flowing back into Florida’s economy.
  • Increase overall funding for affordable housing programs, including SHIP and SAIL; and focus resources to incentivize affordable rental-unit construction.
  • Expand access to health care by eliminating the fiscal cliff eligibility for Florida’s child health insurance programs. Adopt a tiered structure aligned with increasing household wages.

During our conference we heard from Representative Dana Trabulsy regarding Florida KidCare, Representative Fentrice Driskell and House Bill 49, and Acting Secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity Meredith Ivey about opening a small business and small business loans for minority business leaders. We also heard from Secretary of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Melanie Griffin about housing standards, and CEO of Volunteer Florida Josefina Tamayo about Volunteer Connect and the governor’s special initiatives. It was a full morning learning about the bills being pushed through the House and Senate and how we can get involved to share our own expertise to our legislators about the communities we serve.

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Want to get involved? Reach out to your representative and mention the requests above or just let them know about the United Way of Central Florida. Here are the politicians that affect Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties:

Polk, District 49, House Representative Melony M. Bell
212 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
850.717.5049

Polk, District 50, House Representative Jennifer Canady
1402 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
850.717.5050

Polk, District 48, House Representative Sam H. Killebrew
300 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
850.717.5048

Polk, District 51, House Representative Josie Tomkow
222 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
850.717.5051

Hardee and Highlands County, House Representative Kaylee Tuck
308 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
850.717.5083

Polk, District 12, Senator Colleen Burton
318 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850.487.5012

Highlands, District 29, Senator Erin Grall
306 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850.487.5029

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