Phyllis Busansky for FL-09

Background:

After more than 25 years of dedication to the people of Hillsborough County, I bring a unique blend of experience and commitment to my race for Congress. I initially served as Hillsborough County Director of Aging Services where I secured one of the first grants to help provide services to seniors at home so that they could live independently and not be forced into a nursing home and greatly expanded their nutrition program.

I was elected to the Hillsborough County Commission in 1988 as a reform candidate dedicated to ending the corruption of the previous decade. I served as Chairman of the Commission in 1991 and was elected to a second term without opposition. During those eight years, I worked tirelessly to improve life in Florida for everyone in the areas of aging services, affordable healthcare, juvenile justice reform, veteran's services and economic development where she was instrumental in attracting new companies to Tampa Bay. I led a successful effort which established a health care program that focused on preventive care and kept people out of the emergency room saving taxpayers $100 million in its first four years.

I served as the first Executive Director of Florida\'s welfare-to-work agency (WAGES) under Governors Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush. I developed the agency's overall strategy, had fiscal responsibility for the program, and oversaw twenty-four local coalitions charged with implementing reform at the community level. This $1.2 billion program was recognized nationally for its ability to move people into productive jobs and reducing the welfare rolls by 80%

My work has been recognized numerous times, resulting in our health care program being awarded a "Innovations in American Government" award by the Ford Foundation/Kennedy School of Government and I was named a "Public Official of the Year" in 1995 by Governing magazine.

Goals:

I am a strong advocate who believes that Congress needs to shift priorities and restore integrity, accountability and compassion to its process. I am committed to putting America first and creating a better life for everyone.

I am known for my commitment to seniors, education, healthcare and welfare reform as well as my willingness to help the people of Florida cut through government bureaucracy.

Issues:

Right now the priority issues are out-of-control gas prices, the war in Iraq, and affecting change in the direction in our national politics. I am also very concerned about protecting working families by keeping good jobs at home and fighting for affordable health care. Working for seniors is another top issue: we must strengthen Social Security and pass an affordable prescription drug plan. And supporting Veterans is a top issue: we need to make provisions for quality health care and educational opportunities and assure that veterans are aware of and have rapid access to all their benefits.

Grassroots Support:

Serving the people of FL09 is the bedrock of my campaign. That can only be achieved by working with the people to communicate how they can be better served in the halls of Congress. The people - the grassroots - are my best messengers. It is the people of FL09 who know that I will put their interests first and work to make their lives better. I will work with the people of FL09 for the people of FL09.

DFA Values:

When I served as the first Executive Director of Florida's welfare-to-work agency (WAGES), I developed the agency's overall strategy, had fiscal responsibility for the program, and oversaw twenty-four local coalitions charged with implementing reform at the community level. This $1.2 billion program was recognized nationally not only for its ability to move people into productive jobs and reducing the welfare rolls by 80%, but also for saving taxpayers $500 million dollars in welfare payments. It is essential that our elected officials act both socially and fiscally responsible. They are in no way mutually exclusive.