Staff Reports
The Florida Senate voted 25-14 to approve a bill that prohibits public dollars from going to organizations, like Planned Parenthood, that are affiliated with abortion clinics. The bill also increases medical requirements for clinics that provide abortions. It now heads to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature or veto.
Cecile Richards president of Planned Parenthood Federation of American, said in a statement:
“Florida would, in one bill, do the damage it took Texas years to inflict on women. This bill would strip many women of their access to basic health care, such as cancer screenings, birth control, and abortion. As a health care provider, Planned Parenthood knows how laws like this leave women devastated. Women in Texas have been forced to drive hundreds of miles to access abortion, or self-induce abortion without medical supervision. Now Florida is poised to follow Texas’ shameless example. At Planned Parenthood, our doors are open. We are here for our patients and will fight this with everything we’ve got.”
Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, said in a statement:
“This reckless legislation would leave thousands without access to birth control, cancer screenings, and STD testing and treatment. And it could shutter access to safe, legal abortion across Florida. Governor Scott must veto this bill to protect access to reproductive health care, including safe, legal abortion, for all Floridians.”
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Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday signed HB 127, sponsored by Sen. Kelli Stargel and Rep. Travis Cummings, into law. The law modifies the Gold Seal Program and was backed by LeadingAge Florida.
Steve Bahmer, president and CEO of LeadingAge Florida, said in a statement:
“Sen. Stargel and Rep Cummings are exceptional public servants and advocates for Florida’s seniors. This legislation maintains the rigorous quality standards of the Gold Seal Program, while streamlining its financial components in sensible ways. Further, I commend Gov. Scott and the bill sponsors for supporting LeadingAge Florida’s efforts to support communities trusted with providing quality care to Florida’s seniors.”
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The Florida Legislature passed legislation (SB 7028) to reaffirm Florida’s commitment to keep state dollars from funding state sponsors of terror in Iran. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Neil Combee and Sen. Jeremy Ring, make sure the Iran nuclear deal doesn’t undo sanctions put in place by the Florida Legislature.
Chief Finance Officer Jeff Atwater, who backed the proposal, said in a statement:
“Today the Florida Legislature took a stand against the federal government’s endless overreach and reaffirmed Florida’s right to invest – or not invest funds – where it chooses. Nearly 10 years ago, I co-sponsored the bill that established Florida’s sanctions against Iran and called for the withdrawal of currently invested funds. In September 2015, when the United States Senate washed their hands of the responsibility to act on this foreign policy disaster by refusing to vote on it, I immediately called on Florida leaders to protect the pledge made years earlier.
The current White House administration usurped executive authority when it signed this catastrophic deal. Seeing no support for this deal in Congress or across the American public, the president attempted to legitimize his actions by going to the United Nations. Yet, through the passage of this bill by the Florida Legislature, we remind our federal government that our mission in Florida is to uphold the Constitution that grants states’ rights and allows states to make choices independent of the federal government.
We’ve read the newspaper headlines, seen the gruesome videos and pictures, and even experienced terrorism firsthand on American soil. While we put our faith in the federal government to do what’s right, it is the duty of the states to hold them accountable.
‘Today, the legislature did just that: Floridians will not invest taxpayer dollars in state sponsors of terror.”
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A bill to increase the retirement benefits of fallen officers is headed to the governor. The measure increases retirement benefits available to families of fallen law enforcement, corrections and probation officers as well as firefighters, paramedics and other members of the special risk class within the Florida Retirement System.
Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, said in a statement:
This session, the Florida Legislature has made taking care of law enforcement officers who protect our citizens a priority. We appreciate their support and look forward to Governor Scott signing this necessary bill into law.”
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the Florida Sheriffs Association legislative chair, said in a statement:
“There is no greater sacrifice for the safety and security of others than when an officer gives up his or her life in the line of duty. Thank you to Speaker Crisafulli, Senate President Gardiner, and Senator Ring for increasing the death benefit from 50 percent to 100 percent for those first responders who put their lives on the line.”
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said in a statement:
“This legislation honors the life of Deputy Pine and all of the fallen officers who have opted for the FRS Investment Plan. Thanks to the actions of Representative Plasencia, as well as members of the Florida Legislature, the families of those killed in the line of duty can have peace of mind in knowing they will be taken care of if tragedy ever strikes.”
