Rep. Rudman tells Jay he's there to help

At the Jay Town Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 2, Florida State Rep. Joel Rudman, District 3, gave an update of his experience last spring as a freshman legislator and how Jay may be effected by current and future legislation.

Rudman said that $14.7 million in appropriations have been obtained for District 3, with $1 million for the intersection of Highway 90 and Woodbine Road, where many people from the Jay area travel.

He reminded the council that applications for legislative appropriations for the upcoming year are due Nov. 8, 2023.

Rudman talked about bills that have been signed into law which are tough on drug dealers and Fentanyl smugglers, citing how drugs have impacted the nation; criminals who threaten law-abiding citizens and

illegal immigrants entering Florida.

Rudman continued with personal priorities signed into law. He sponsored a bill pertaining to

rights of medical conscious in the state of Florida; another bill protecting physicians right to freedom of speech-honest medical opinion and not get banned, censored or cancelled; and a bill to streamline process where combat medics retiring who want to work in the medical field can get credit hours toward a degree.

"I was very proud to see Gov. DeSantis sign that into law as well," said Rudman.

He said Jay priorities for the next session, which he will be back in Tallahassee Oct. 16, is healthcare. He plans to improve funding for rural hospitals, with plans to tour the Jay Hospital that evening.

"We have one major area in which we can seek improvement and that is in our Medicaid program here in Florida," said Rudman.

He said he has been meeting with other fellow legislators around Florida to discuss ways to improve the healthcare system in the state and one way is to expand eligibility for Medicaid, which would have a big impact for Jay Hospital. A second impact is to improve reimbursements for Medicaid providers, which has not increased in more than 30 years.

"You're basically asking Jay Hospital to perform services at 1990's prices and I don't think that is fair," said Rudman. "They deserve a pay increase."

He said that he will be pushing that as a priority and has heard the Florida senate sees that as a priority as well.

In other business, the council:

-Approved a 5 percent COLA (Cost-of-Living-Adjustment) increase for its employees, which will cost the town $9,350 in payroll plus the associated medical and retirement, reflected in the town's budget

-Approved the Florida Gas Utility Line of Credit, which decreased from $15,000 to $6,000

A proposed livestock ordinance will be adopted at its 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6 meeting at town hall. The public is invited.