from staff
The 60-day 2011 Legislative session began March 8. Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart, a Republican representing District 18, is a member of the Duval Legislative Delegation. Renuart, an osteopathic physician from Ponte Vedra Beach, was elected to the House in 2008 and subsequently re-elected. The Daily Record will feature legislators during the session.
What is the biggest issue facing Northeast Florida this session?
The No. 1 issue facing all Floridians is record unemployment. Putting our residents back to work remains my top priority. Too many families are struggling to make ends meet and many are unable to find a job. Small business is the lifeblood of our economy and is responsible for two-thirds of job creation, and yet many are being strangled by excessive regulation and red tape.
What will your role be in resolving it?
As a member of the House Economic Affairs Committee, I am focused on advancing policies that provide a business-friendly environment for small businesses to expand and create more jobs for our citizens.
What bill are you sponsoring that you consider most significant?
I have proposed HB 301 aimed at preventing student athletes who have sustained a concussion from returning to play too soon. Every year, an estimated 140,000 high school athletes suffer concussions across the United States and the resulting damage can be especially dangerous to still-developing brains of young people.
Do you have support for it?
HB 301 has the full support of the National Football League, the Florida High School Athletic Association, the Brain Injury Association of Florida, the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, The Society of Neurology, the Florida Academy of Family Physicians, the Florida Orthopaedic Society, the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants and the Florida Psychological Association.
What is the hottest legislative issue this week?
Reforming Florida’s Medicaid program will be one of the top priorities for the House and Senate during the 2011 legislative session. Florida’s current Medicaid system is unsustainable. Medicaid consumes almost 28 percent of Florida’s state budget. By 2014, the program is expected to consume more than 33 percent of the entire state budget. We simply cannot afford to operate in its current form.