Tallahassee has been ablaze with reports, social media posts and public statements regarding behind-the-scenes negotiations on the Florida State University/Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare partnership.
Outlets like the Tallahassee Democrat have reported on Grow Tallahassee’s Bugra Demirel of conducting polls some say are being used to influence public opinion. Emerging political blogs have published articles criticizing other political blog’s coverage of prominent officials. Rumors that a special tax district to fund part of it arose that had political figures including State Rep. Allison Tant criticizing online, accusing Grow Tallahassee of doing behind-the-scenes tactics including the push-poll. The conversation about that potential tax district was quickly snuffed out in a joint statement from Florida State University and TMH.
Representative Tant said she supports the proposed partnership, but she also wants to make sure the community that she said built TMH isn’t left behind.
“I think we all want the same thing — better healthcare access, a strong partnership, and innovation here at home. But this community has carried this hospital for nearly 80 years. I don’t want that conversation happening without them," she said.
Representative Allison Tant has accused Demirel of pushing for a special taxing district to fund the partnership. He said that’s not true.
“We’re not pushing a taxing district. We never proposed that. What we want is a strong, sustainable partnership that improves healthcare and grows our economy," he said.
Demirel said his organization has been unfairly cast as a behind-the-scenes player, when all they want is improvement in healthcare in the region.
“There are people driving hours for specialized care. Somebody has to speak up and say, ‘Get this deal done.’ That’s what we’re doing, for the community," he said.
Both figures expressed they want tensions to simmer down. Tant said the focus should stay on unity, and on the neighbors who depend on both institutions.
“At the end of the day, I just want everybody working together, for the best of this community," Tant said.