A.G. Gancarski
A Senator from Jacksonville says the state should increase its outreach to religious believers.
Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough’s measure (SB 820) would establish the Office of Faith and Community in the executive branch starting in July. The Office would be headed by “the liaison for faith and community or a director appointed by the liaison who reports to the liaison,” according to the bill language.
The Director would be appointed by the Governor, and would serve at the pleasure thereof.
The goal of the Office would be “to better connect with, communicate with, and provide resources to this state’s faith-based and community based organizations” and to “better serve the most vulnerable persons of this state through more robust and connected faith and community networks in coordination with state resources.”
The bill contemplates a number of ways to make this happen, including advocating for faith- or community-based agencies, establishing and operating the “Florida Faith and Community Phone Line” for those agencies to connect with the Governor’s Office, setting up “meaningful lines of communication” between these groups and the Governor’s Office, and using technology to develop “resources for enhanced connection between civil service systems, state agencies, and faith-based and community-based organizations.”
The Office would also be tasked with identifying burdens and impediments to the work of the community and faith groups, so that they can be remedied.
5 comments
George
February 18, 2025 at 7:09 pm
All faiths?
ScienceBLVR
February 18, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Good point, George, and I might add..Including atheism? There’s a lot more of us lurking about than people would care to admit. How about an office to clarify and define the communication connections that support the separation of church and state as the Constitution demands.
Skeptic
February 18, 2025 at 9:56 pm
It ought to be clear that the proponents of this silliness only care about one of the one true faiths. The article is light on specifics about whether the one true faith supported believes that ministers should be celibate or have wives, etc., etc. I suppose these are matters that should be decided by government officials just like in the good old days when the Holy Roman Empire was destroyed by the 30 Years’ War.
MH/Duuuval
February 19, 2025 at 10:01 am
Will the director and/or staff be paid by taxpayers?
Not that it should be an ethical problem for MAGAs who recognized the First Amendment only when it suits them.
Clarity
February 19, 2025 at 2:06 pm
By the description provide, this office’s mission aligns with the goals of DEI organizations. It seems to me that it would run afoul of the anti-DEI movement this state and the federal government are promoting.