By James Call, The Florida Current
Monday, February, 18 2013
Karen Woodall, 55, is a Miami native and graduate of Hollywood Hills High School. The executive director of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, a Tallahassee-based research organization focused on how policy decisions affect low- and moderate-income individuals, Woodall has been lobbying the Florida Legislature since 1979.
You have and are lobbying on behalf of the unemployed, children and undocumented immigrants, three groups with little influence and money. Why?
I was brought up to believe that everyone should be treated fairly no matter what their race, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic level. I believe that translates into everyone having good healthcare, housing, education, and economic security. I believe that public policy on the local, state and national level should reflect and enable these fundamental principles.
You are preparing for your 34th annual Spring Legislative Session, how did your career begin?
I got involved in lobbying through an internship with Budd Bell at the Florida chapter of theNational Association of Social Workers in 1979. I was an undergraduate in the school of social work at FSU. I worked on passing the school breakfast program. … it took 10 years to get that done!
Which part of the legislative process and or representative government — the setting of public policy — do you find most interesting or you think the general public is least aware of?
I think the general public is not fully aware of our tax structure and how truly regressive or unfair it is, therefore they believe that Florida doesn’t have enough money to fund the quality of life that all Floridians want and deserve, and they have no idea how much money is given away through special interest tax breaks, loopholes, exemptions and exclusions.
You’ve spent more than three decades observing and participating in the process, tell us a story.
I think the most noble thing I have experienced over the life of my lobbying was the wonderful mobilization of immigrant families from throughout the state (during the 2011 session) and the dedicated work of the folks who supported them in their efforts to get to Tallahassee and to have food and assistance once they got to the Capitol … the We Are Florida Campaign was democracy in action on many fronts that people don’t even realize. I was extremely proud to be a small part of that effort, which contributed to the defeat of any racial profiling, anti-immigrant legislation like that which was passed in Arizona, Alabama, and Georgia. That sustained presence at the Capitol for just about a month was unlike anything I have ever seen in the 34 years I have been involved in the process. It came at great financial sacrifice for many of the individuals, families and organizations who participated. But it was real!
What was the last book you read?
Shadow of Night, written by Deborah Harkness, a historian, and a fascinating story about the historic separation of “the creatures” where they were forbidden to interact with each other and were taught to hate and mistrust, but a few brave souls break out of that mindset and their interaction is destined to save their species. … waiting for the third and final book.
The responses in this interview were condensed for length and clarity.
Reporter James Call can be reached at [email protected].
by 
February 19, 2013
In the News