The Florida House just passed their massive deregulation bill that will give 20 professions and industries freedom from oversight while putting consumers at potential risk, and making the state of Florida not only "open for business," but wide open for fraud. Florida is now the "Buyer Beware" state.
HB 5005 passed with a vote of 77 to 38 thanks to overwhelming support of Florida Republicans. Included in those deregulated industries: auto-repair shops, intrastate moving companies, and charitable organizations, just to name a few.
Republican Rep. Chris Dorworth, one of the bill's supporters not only sees this as just a fabulous idea, he thinks there should be lots more to come:
"By removing these regulations we're going to attract more people here," said Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary. "This should not be the last time we do this." Dorworth said even more industries should be deregulated.
It will certainly attract more people here. Come on down all you hucksters, there are millions of people down here that will be easy prey! Just ask our Governor, he'll tell you!
Consumer risk? Pshaw! For Republican Dorothy Hukill, it's really about saving money for those private companies:
Bill sponsor Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, said the measure will save the private sector more than $11 million a year in licensing fees and other expenses. It will result in a net loss to state coffers of more than $6 million, according to House staff bill analysis.
Yes, this is your Republican party, Florida. Their priorities are profits over the health and safety of citizens in our state.
Rep. Franklin Sands, D-Weston, said the only people the bill will attract to Florida are "charlatans" and "scammers."
"People will die," he said.
Yes, they probably will.
Maybe when they've taken away your health insurance and you're forced to find medical care say, in Canada, you can just wait and get your car safely repaired while you're there! Problems solved!
With all that deregulating going on, isn't it good to know that the state's chief regulator is getting a nice big fat raise in salary?
