Eduardo J. Padrón
President
Office of the President
300 N.E. Second Avenue
Miami, Florida 33132-2297
305-237-3316
epadron@mdc.edu
Message From the President
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The 2007 Legislative Session
Many of you have undoubtedly followed the tumultuous rollercoaster sequence of events that plagued this election year, and you may have been turned off by the political battles that raged throughout our country and state. Hopefully, you will have also recognized that our democracy works, and participating in the process with your vote is one of the most precious freedoms we hold as a free people.
We at MDC stand proud to have newly elected leadership in Tallahassee who intimately understand the mission and nature of community colleges, and are poised to meet the many challenges facing our state.
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Representative Marco Rubio, attended Miami Dade College and Santa Fe Community College. Senate President Ken Pruitt attended Indian River Community College, and as he proudly told us several years ago, owes much to MDC for what we offered his dad when he was enrolled here.
Gov. Charlie Crist has not only graced our campuses with his genuine interest, but has also incorporated leading community college supporters into his transition team. These men, along with other key players, will drive an aggressive agenda in the coming Legislative Session. All will be concerned with establishing a legacy of accomplishment for the state during their tenure in leadership positions.
Collectively and individually, we have communicated MDC’s policy ideas and fiscal realities to those who now represent us. Once again, I hope to share with you -- our Campus Advocacy Teams, student leadership, faculty, staff and trustees -- progress made on MDC’s priority issues as they unfold in the coming months. Interim Committee meetings convene in January and February, and the Regular Legislative Session begins in March.
As always, your involvement is absolutely crucial to a successful year. Please click here for a link to the 2007 priority issues for the College. I ask that you not only become knowledgeable of these and other issues as they arise, but that you also inform us of ways to improve communications with our elected officials and with each other. Our College Director of Governmental Affairs, Victoria Hernandez, can be reached via the following: extension 7-7563; 305-298-4878; or vhernand@mdc.edu
Your voice is especially important to us this year as we move to pass legislation that will allow us to place the local referendum for voter approval on the ballot. With your help, we can achieve this milestone for our students and our community.
Thank you.
Eduardo