Senator Geraldine Thompson, Representative Karen Castor Dentel, Anna Eskamani, Regional Manager at Florida Planned Parenthood PAC, Vivian Rodriguez, President of Florida Democratic Hispanic Caucus, held a press conference Monday, denouncing the Scott administration’s culture of injustice towards the women of Florida.
The event was held the day before National Women’s Equality day to highlight Scott’s failed record on women’s rights, economic equality, and health care.
“Rick Scott is not ‘working’ for us,” said Castor Dentel. “The Governor will act decisively when it comes to advocating for his special interest friends. But when it comes to bettering the lives of women–we’re just not on his radar.”
The legislators and activists pointed out Scott’s failed leadership in pushing for initiatives that would improve women’s health and economic security. Scott has refused to push for health care expansion, which would give more than half a million women access to life saving health care. He does not support pay equity legislation for women or a raise in the minimum wage, which would raise thousands of women out of poverty.
When Scott has acted, it’s made the situation for Florida women and their families worse. He signed a bill forcing women to go through unwanted ultrasounds before an abortion; passed a law blocking local paid sick leave laws; and even slashed millions in funding for rape crisis centers and health care for low income mothers.
“Rick Scott has been touring the state talking about how he “cares” for Florida families. Do we need to remind him that women make up part of our families? We’re the primary caretakers of our sick, our children and our elderly. In many cases, we’re the primary breadwinners,” said Thompson. “When you make it more difficult for us to get the equal pay we deserve and the health care we need—it’s hard to believe that these are anything more than empty promises.”
