Legislative Awareness Days 2006

Legislative Awareness Days 2006

by Ron Frers

On March 21- 22, 2006, Licensed Massage Therapists from around the State of Florida met in Tallahassee to celebrate Massage Therapy Legislative Awareness Days.

The Florida State Massage Therapy Association and the Florida Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association, sponsor the event annually.

This past November during a special session of the Florida legislature, a “gift rule” was passed. This new rule, which took effect Jan. 1^st created a problem not previously encountered in past trips to the Capital. It was interpreted by legislative council that performing chair massage on our representatives and their staff in the Rotunda would have violated the “gift rule”. As a result, there were many sad faces and sore muscles on the “Hill”, due to the decision. This however, did not deter those who attended this year’s event.

We are not only Licensed Massage Therapists, but also constituents. Constituents happen to be a very powerful force in the Legislature.

So, with the help of FSMTA’s lobbyists Allison Carvajal and Janet Mabry, along with our General Counsel Paul Lambert and AMTA’s lobbyist Carolyn Pardue we visited our members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Tuesday March 21, started out with a working breakfast hosted by CORE Institute. We wish to thank Mr. George Kousaleos, Tammy and all of the students for their generosity and hospitality.

It was then, on to the Capital.

Our first stop, was to the third floor of the Rotunda to set up our booth and literature. Many thanks to Raul and Estrellita Izquierdo and Ruthanne Baumiller of the Tampa Bay Chapter, along with Kitty Crawford and her husband David from the First Coast Chapter for working the booth and talking with interested passersby.

The remainder of the TEAM armed with our position papers on Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and updated data on the Massage Therapy Industry visited key members of the Senate.

It was a long, but productive day. We were received very warmly by all those we visited. They were all happy to visit with us and very appreciative that we came all the way to Tallahassee just to see them. It was time and money well spent. Our presence at the Capital was well recognized and duly noted.

The day ended with a get together at Harry’s Grille on the famous Kleman Plaza. With sore feet and happy hearts we reviewed our experiences and spoke of carrying our energy and what we had learned back to the Grassroots Initiatives in our chapters.

Wednesday morning March 22, we had the privilege of meeting with Governor Jeb Bush in his office. We thanked the Governor for all of the support that he has shown for the Licensed Massage Therapy Profession during his tenure. Group pictures were taken and it was the perfect end to our successful visit to Tallahassee.

The 2006 LAD team would like to send a warm thank you to Sen. Dennis Jones, Rep. Frank Farkas and their staff for their hospitality during our stay.

In addition, we would like to thank Board of Massage Executive Director Pam King, along with key members of her staff, Jacqueline Clahar, Bridget Coates, Chelisa Kirkland, Christy Robinson and Board of Massage Vice Chair, Lynda Solien-Wolfe for meeting with us at breakfast at the Core Institute.

Massage Therapy Legislative Awareness Days would not have been a success without the help and participation of the AMTA. We would like to thank Michael Garcia, AMTA Florida Chapter 3^rd Vice President and Legislative Committee Chair, and Jackie Kincaid AMTA Florida Chapter 2^nd VP for all of their input and hard work.

Last, but certainly not least, our FSMTA 2006 LAD Team. FSMTA State President Michael McGillicuddy, State Treasurer and Legislative Liaison Maureen Gilbert, State Legislative Chair, Ron Frers, Ruth Anne Baumiller, Tampa Bay Chapter Legislative Chair; Kitty Crawford, First Coast Chapter Legislative Chair; Kitty’s husband David Crawford; Richmond Dickson, President Big Bend Chapter; Raul and Estrellita Izquierdo, Tampa Bay Chapter; Linda Linkous, State Ethics Chair, Tampa Bay Chapter; Vivian Madison-Mahoney, FSMTA Insurance Consultant; Vivian’s husband John Mahoney and Ron Stephens, FSMTA Immediate Past President, Southwest Chapter. We thank you all for your professionalism and a job well done.

Bringing our needs and concerns to those who represent us in our state government is just the start of Legislative Awareness, not the end.

This is a very important election year. Do you know which candidates support you as a Licensed Massage Therapist and the protection of your profession and livelihood in your community? If not, you need to find out who does truly support Massage Therapy in your election district and support that candidate. It does make a BIG difference.

It matters not their political party. As therapists, a patient is a patient and a client is a client, no matter what. The same goes for those candidates we should actively vote for and support. There is strength in numbers and every vote does count. This is Political Advocacy. As you can see, Politics is NOT a four letter word. Political Advocacy is at the heart of any Grassroots Initiative.

It is time to ACT:

Advocate – Actively support those candidates and legislators that truly Support the Massage Therapy Profession.
Contribute – Your Time, Talents and Money to the candidate of your choice.
Teach – Your local candidates and legislators about the benefits of Massage and how it greatly contributes to the health and well being of their constituents.

The Massage Therapy Profession has been coming to the State Capital in Tallahassee since 1988. We have come a long way in the past 18 years. However, our vigilance must not wane. Our “Scope of Practice” continues to come under attack from insurance companies and other health care professions alike. Now is the time to become involved. Become Legislatively Aware and Active.

top