After a weeklong special session focused on cleaning up the Governor’s unnecessary, retaliatory and targeted policies, Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book had this response:
Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-Plantation) said, “An indication of what’s in store for the upcoming regular session, this week once again laid bare how tethered our Republican colleagues are to the impulses of the Governor. Florida’s legislative Democrats will continue to serve as checks to balance the power of the Executive, and we must all be vigilant in doing everything we can to protect the best interests of everyday people in this great State.”
Democratic Senators who represent the Reedy Creek District and surrounding areas:
“My no vote today does not come from a belief that there should not be more transparency or responsibility for the management of Reedy Creek. This entire move is retaliation by the Governor for Disney’s vocal support for the LGBTQ community. Removing a business’s independence and ability to voice concerns of their own employees is wrong,” said Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando).
Senator Victor Torres (D-Kissimmee) said, “Every business owner in Florida should be concerned that if the Governor is willing to exercise his authority to punish the state’s largest private employer over a political dispute – what stops him from going after another business? What happened to the conservative Republican philosophy that businesses should be free to operate without governmental intrusion or regulation?”
Senator Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando) said “My primary concern relates to the five-member board to be appointed by the Governor. If the new board, which is not required to come from Orange and Osceola counties, functions similar to the one installed at New College – I think we can expect major chaos.”
You can also watch a post-session media availability featuring Leader Book, Leader-Designate Jason Pizzo and Senator Stewart on The Florida Channel: https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/2-10-23-press-availability-with-senate-democrats/.
