Latest news with #Rouson
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Senate passes changes to mental health bill
Going along with changes made by the House, the Senate voted 34-3 on Friday to pass a measure (SB 1620) that backs a series of recommendations from Florida's Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder. The House unanimously approved the measure (SB 1620) on Tuesday, meaning it is now ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Friday's vote came two days after senators angrily objected to the House removing part of the bill that would have created a Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research at the University of South Florida. Rouson, a legislator since 2008 who overcame a past that included being homeless and a drug addict, on Friday implored senators to pass the bill with the House change. 'I think the work of the commission is more important at this time,' Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat who sponsored the bill, said. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, responded Wednesday to the Senate criticism by calling the bill a 'backdoor' effort to essentially fund the new center, which wasn't part of the commission's recommendations. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida Senate criticizes House for axing Rouson Mental Health Center
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WLFA) — End of session means tensions are high, especially on the Senate floor this week when lawmakers rallied behind State Senator Darryl Rouson (D- St. Petersburg) after the House removed a mental health research center that was supposed to be named after him. In less than a year, a commission for mental health and substance abuse took a deep dive into mental health systems in Florida. From that research, Senate Bill 1620 was created. The bill passed every committee in the Senate, with all lawmakers on board. DeSantis announces joint immigration effort, more arrests to come 'The commission forwarded 30 recommendations to the speaker, the president and the governor. In discussions with stakeholders, I took 10 of those recommendations and put them in the form of a bill, which is the substance of 1620,' Rouson said. An amendment was recently added to the senate bill that would add in a research center at University of South Florida and name it after Senator Rouson. But the House stripped the center, which created tensions within the Senate chamber. 'I was truly touched that every single member present in the chamber, 37 to 0 signed on to co-sponsor the amendment. The establishment of this center means a great deal. To those who believe in advancing mental health care with evidence-based compassion,' Rouson said. According to lawmakers, if the Senate rejected the House's changes and returned the original bill as amended, the entire bill would be in jeopardy. Rouson urged his fellow collogues to agree, emphasizing that their efforts shouldn't go to waste. 'Unfortunately, the House didn't see it our way and for me, it is more important that the work continue, that the work of the commission be honored,' Rouson said. Rouson has been an advocate for addiction recovery based on his personal experience. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate spoke out one by one in support of the research center and its name. 'This was such a good amendment, naming it after such a great man. It is a travesty that the other chamber didn't allow this to go through,' said State Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R- Spring Hill). 'We should turn this around and we should tell them to get their heads straight,' said State Senator Jay Collins (R-Hillsborough). 'You're one of my best friends here in this body and what you've done is absolutely amazing and I'm just really glad that in in a year and a half, we're going to have another speaker who will hopefully support the naming of the program after you,' said State Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples). In response to the senators' remarks, House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami), shared the following statement with 8 On Your Side. 'I have enormous respect for Senator Rouson. I admire his public service, and I would be happy to collaborate with the Senate to honor him. But the action of the Senate today to name a center after Senator Rouson as a means of emotionally blackmailing the House into doing what they want- is unconscionable. The comments of 'or else' were a threat to the Florida House and beneath the dignity of the Florida Senate. The Senate created a backdoor appropriations project. They did so unilaterally, fully aware that the House did not wish to include additional items in the bill beyond the Commission's recommendations. The House version of SB 1620 by Representative Christine Hunchofsky, was filed to enact the recommendations of the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders. The center in question was not in the Commission report nor was it in the House bill. The Senators were rightfully outraged, but they should direct their outrage at their own chamber who made this move in an attempt to push a backdoor project and used the good Senator's legacy to do so.' House members said there seems to have been a technical challenge with the senate bill and believe both chambers will work this out and honor Senator Rouson and his legacy. 'I'm confident that they'll be able to work something out as Senator Rousan is an institution. He has served in the legislature for nearly 20 years, and when you look at his personal journey, how he overcame substance abuse to go on to become a state senator, it really is quite amazing,' said House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (R-Tampa). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Senate outraged over House dig at senator's mental health facility plan
Sen. Darryl Rouson . (Screenshot/Florida Channel) A Florida House amendment that killed plans for a substance abuse and mental health research center at the University of South Florida to be named after Tampa Bay Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson infuriated both Democratic and Republican senators Wednesday. Even Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier used the episode to launch another attack on the House. The legislation (SB 1620), which has passed both chambers in some form now, would make a raft of changes to Florida's Mental Health Act. The original bill included a Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research at USF's Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. The center would have conducted statewide behavioral health research, promote evidence-based practices, and improved workforce development. An amendment added by Pinellas County Republican Ed Hooper would have named the facility the 'Rouson Center,' after Rouson, who has battled drug and alcohol addiction in his past and had sponsored the measure in the Senate. However, an amendment sponsored by Broward County Democrat Christine Hunschofsky and passed by the House on Tuesday deleted the facility — Rouson's name and all. So when the bill came back to the Senate on Wednesday, Rouson told his colleagues that while he was disappointed about that development, they should still go ahead and pass the measure. 'The establishment of this center means a great deal to those who believe in advancing mental health care with evidence-based compassion,' Rouson told his colleagues. 'Unfortunately, the House didn't see it our way, and for me, it is more important that the work continue, that the work of the commission be honored.' He referred to the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder. Some senators said that out of respect to Rouson they would still vote for the bill. But others insisted they would not. 'It's not right, it's not fair, it's not appropriate, and it really isn't acceptable,' Tampa Bay-area Republican Jim Boyd said. 'I promise you we will make this right.' 'I'm just glad that in a year-and-a-half we'll have another speaker who will hopefully support the naming of the program after you,' Naples GOP Sen. Kathleen Passidomo said, referring to House Speaker Daniel Perez. GOP Sens. Jay Collins and Blaise Ingoglia both called the House move 'a travesty.' 'I am angry beyond words,' said Ingoglia. 'It hurts. It hurts because I'm somebody in recovery,' said Democratic Sen. Rosalind Osgood, who said she would oppose the measure. The dispute took place just two days before the 60-day legislative session was scheduled to end, but, with the sides still divided on a budget and tax reductions, the session will have to be extended or the Legislature come back before the budget would take effect on July 1 Shortly after the vote, Gov. DeSantis, who has been battling the House for the past month on various issues, including taxes, weighed in, responding on X, 'The Florida House of Pettiness in all its glory…' 'Senator @darrylrouson is a class act,' added Attorney General James Uthmeier on X. The budget fight involves Perez's insistence on lowering the sales tax to the tune of around $5 billion. Senate President Ben Albritton is worried about what happens if a recession hits. According to the original legislation, the purpose of the center was to conduct 'rigorous and relevant research intended to develop knowledge and practice in prevention and intervention for substance abuse and mental health issues, to serve the people and economy in this state in reducing the gap between population needs and the availability of effective treatments and other interventions to improve the capacity of the state to have healthy, resilient communities prevailing over substance abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges.' The Senate opted to temporarily postpone action on the legislation. They have just two days to decide on whether they want to approve it. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Miami Herald
30-04-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Push for USF addiction center creates a war of words between Florida House and Senate
A tribute from Florida's senators made in honor of longtime Tampa Bay politician Sen. Darryl Rouson has morphed into a fight with the Florida House — one that could affect this year's Florida's budget. 'We will make it right,' said Sen. Ed Hooper, the Senate's appropriations chairperson. 'Or else.' Rouson, the Democratic lawmaker who must leave office due to term limits in 2026, has been open about his struggle with substance use disorder and his many years in recovery. This year, Rouson filed a bill to implement several proposals from the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, on which he serves. His bill also proposed creating a center at the University of South Florida to study the links between substance use disorder and mental health issues. The Senate proposed allocating $5 million for the center's work, and state senators honored Rouson with a proposal to name the center after him. All of them cosponsored the amendment to name the center after Rouson, and many gave speeches applauding Rouson for his advocacy and long career in the Legislature. But the House stripped the Darryl E. Rouson Center out of the bill when the Senate sent its language over. The language creating the center wasn't in the House legislation, and Rep. Christine Hunschofsky , D-Parkland, told lawmakers that it was 'not one of the recommendations' from the commission. Hunschofsky is also on the commission with Rouson. The House's decision caused an unusual, impassioned display from lawmakers of both parties on the Senate floor. Some senators appeared to be crying. 'It's not right, it's not fair, it's not appropriate and it really isn't acceptable,' said Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, of the House's proposal. Hunschofsky did not immediately responded to a request for comment, but posted on social media saying that 'just because people say something passionately and loudly, doesn't mean it is true.' Rouson said while he was touched by Senators' gesture, and while he thought creating the center was important, he said it was 'more important that the work continue.' He moved to accept the House's proposal. But Senators delayed taking a vote after after multiple lawmakers suggested that they didn't think the House language was acceptable, leaving the issue hanging with just two days left in the session. Senators' frustration with the House proposal seemed to spill beyond Rouson's specific bill. Hooper brought up the ongoing negotiations between the House and Senate over a budget, which will not be completed in time. 'This is what we deal with,' Hooper said. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, also said she was 'really glad that in a year and a half we're gonna have another speaker who will hopefully support the naming of the program after you.' House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, fired back at the Senate, saying in a statement that while he would be happy to work with the senators to honor Rouson, their idea 'created a backdoor appropriations project,' despite the House's wishes. 'But the action of the Senate today to name a center after Sen. Rouson as a means of emotionally blackmailing the House into doing what they want is unconscionable,' Perez said. 'The comments of 'or else' were a threat to the Florida House and beneath the dignity of the Florida Senate.' Perez said Senators should direct their rightful outrage to their own chamber, who created the 'backdoor' project and 'used the good Senator's legacy to do so.' Senate President Ben Albritton has been diplomatic about the Senate's relationship with the House and his relationship with Perez, even as Perez has more vocally denounced the Senate's spending plan. Albritton has also largely avoided commenting on the House's actions this year under Perez. House members have criticized the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration's spending, grilled executive agency heads and investigated one of his wife's key initiatives, Hope Florida. But the uproar over the Rouson Center shows that the Senate and House relationship may be on more unsteady ground than leaders have let on. DeSantis, who has for weeks denounced the House, took to social media to weigh in on the chamber's fight over the Rouson center, saying it was 'the Florida House of Pettiness in all its glory.' First lady Casey DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, a close ally of DeSantis who has also been targeted by a House member over his role in the Hope Florida Foundation, also commented, commending Rouson. It's unclear what will happen with the bill moving forward. If the House and Senate refuse to agree on language around the center, the bill's other proposals would also be dead for the year.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
USF center named for Sen. Rouson sparks Florida House and Senate battle
TALLAHASSEE — A tribute from Florida's senators made in honor of longtime Tampa Bay politician Sen. Darryl Rouson has morphed into a fight with the Florida House — one that could affect this year's Florida's budget. 'We will make it right,' said Sen. Ed Hooper, the Senate's appropriations chairperson. 'Or else.' Rouson, the Democratic lawmaker who must leave office due to term limits in 2026, has been open about his struggle with substance use disorder and his many years in recovery. This year, Rouson filed a bill to implement several proposals from the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, on which he serves. His bill also proposed creating a center at the University of South Florida to study the links between substance use disorder and mental health issues. The Senate proposed allocating $5 million for the center's work, and state senators honored Rouson with a proposal to name the center after him. All of them cosponsored the amendment to name the center after Rouson, and many gave speeches applauding Rouson for his advocacy and long career in the Legislature. But the House stripped the Darryl E. Rouson Center out of the bill when the Senate sent its language over. The language creating the the center wasn't in the House legislation, and Rep. Christine Hunschofsky , D-Parkland, told lawmakers that it was 'not one of the recommendations' from the commission. Hunschofsky is also on the commission with Rouson. The House's decision caused an unusual, impassioned display from lawmakers of both parties on the Senate floor. Some senators appeared to be crying. 'It's not right, it's not fair, it's not appropriate and it really isn't acceptable,' said Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, of the House's proposal. Hunschofsky did not immediately responded to a request for comment, but posted on social media saying that 'just because people say something passionately and loudly, doesn't mean it is true.' Rouson said while he was touched by Senators' gesture, and while he thought creating the center was important, he said it was 'more important that the work continue.' He moved to accept the House's proposal. But Senators delayed taking a vote after after multiple lawmakers suggested that they didn't think the House language was acceptable, leaving the issue hanging with just two days left in the session. Senators' frustration with the House proposal seemed to spill beyond Rouson's specific bill. Hooper brought up the ongoing negotiations between the House and Senate over a budget, which will not be completed in time. 'This is what we deal with,' Hooper said. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, also said she was 'really glad that in a year and a half we're gonna have another speaker who will hopefully support the naming of the program after you.' House Speaker Daniel Perez fired back at the Senate, saying in a statement that while he would be happy to work with the senators to honor Rouson, their idea 'created a backdoor appropriations project,' despite the House's wishes. 'But the action of the Senate today to name a center after Sen. Rouson as a means of emotionally blackmailing the House into doing what they want- is unconscionable,' Perez said. 'The comments of 'or else' were a threat to the Florida House and beneath the dignity of the Florida Senate.' Perez said Senators should direct their rightful outrage to their own chamber, who created the 'backdoor' project and 'used the good Senator's legacy to do so.' Senate President Ben Albritton has been diplomatic about the Senate's relationship with the House and his relationship with Perez, even as Perez has more vocally denounced the Senate's spending plan. Albritton has also largely avoided commenting on the House's actions this year under Perez. House members have criticized the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration's spending, grilled executive agency heads and investigated one of his wife's key initiatives, Hope Florida. But the uproar over the Rouson Center shows that the Senate and House relationship may be on more unsteady ground than leaders have let on. DeSantis, who has for weeks denounced the House, took to social media to weigh in on the chamber's fight over the Rouson center, saying it was 'the Florida House of Pettiness in all its glory.' First lady Casey DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, a close ally of DeSantis who has also been targeted by a House member over his role in the Hope Florida Foundation, also commented, commending Rouson. It's unclear what will happen with the bill moving forward. If the House and Senate refuse to agree on language around the center, the bill's other proposals would also be dead for the year.
