Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 13, 2016

Sen. Aaron Bean had a quiet month of fundraising, as the Fernandina Beach Republican runs unopposed in Senate District 4, yet one donation stood out in his $1,600 April haul. Tools for a Time, the company of Geoff Youngblood, a defeated candidate for Jacksonville’s City Council in 2015, gave $500 to Bean. Bean was the Senate sponsor […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2016

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After the June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Obergefell v. Hodges case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, more than 20 state legislatures reacted by passing religious freedom laws to protect clergy. This month, Florida became the latest state to do so after Gov. Rick Scott signed the Pastor Protection Act. The new law shields religious entities […]

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2016

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature has passed a bill that would legally shield clergy members who refuse to perform gay marriages. The House bill (HB 43) was OK’d Thursday by the Senate on a 23-15 vote, despite Democrats saying the measure isn’t needed because clergy already are protected by the First Amendment. It next needs to be signed […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday began its consideration of legislation to ensure clergy members, ministers and other “religious organization” employees could legally refuse to perform gay marriages. The bill (HB 43), which has been called the “Pastor Protection Act,” is being billed as a “conscience protection” measure by its sponsor, state Rep. Scott Plakon. The […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

Clergy members, ministers and other “religious organization” employees could legally refuse to perform gay marriages under legislation that will be considered by the full House of Representatives. The measure, which some call a “Pastor Protection Act” (HB 43), was OK’d 12-5 by the Judiciary Committee on Thursday, its final review panel. The bill, sponsored by Republican […]

Frank TorresOctober 1, 2015

The tone was contentious at the Florida A&M campus in Downtown Orlando Campus on Thursday night, as leaders from government, education, and the legal communities discussed the subject of same sex marriage from two opposing views. The 6 person panel consisted of Rep. Scott Plakon, Orange County Clerk of Court Tiffany Moore-Russell, Professor Robert Minarcin, Professor […]

Tag: pastor protection act

Geoff Youngblood’s business donates to Aaron Bean in April

Florida’s Pastor Protection Act doesn’t go as far as Georgia’s — and that’s a good thing for NFL fans

Legislature passes “Pastor Protection Act” as gay marriage shield

House takes up Pastor Protection Act

“Pastor protection act” continues moving in Legislature

Tension run high at Orlando discussion on faith and marriage equality