Jim Kallinger, President of the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition, made the following statement regarding Governor Scott’s decision to veto Senate Bill 106:
“Governor Scott’s decision to veto SB 106 was the right one for Florida’s economy and Florida’s families. As the Governor said in his statement, removing the wall of separation between hard liquor and other items for sale would be bad for small businesses and job creation. But beyond that, it would have sent the wrong message to young people and opened the door a little wider to the tragic impact of alcohol abuse on families and public safety in Florida. We thank Governor Scott for his careful consideration and wise leadership on this important issue.”
Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
Kallinger Statement on Gambling Decision
Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition President Jim Kallinger made the statement below following the Florida Supreme Court ruling on slot machines today:
“The Florida Supreme Court delivered a win for Florida families today with their ruling to reject the expansion of slot machines in Florida. While the promise of job creation and increased tax revenue can be alluring, the truth is that gambling hurts businesses, communities, and individuals. We are glad this sound legal ruling will spare families and communities around the state the pain that accompanies making gambling the centerpiece of a local economy.”
Huckabee Headlines Annual Legislative Prayer Breakfast
In addition to Huckabee’s keynote address, former Senator Pat
Neal receives the 2017 Defender of Faith and Freedom Award.
On Wednesday, representatives from all three branches of state government attended the annual Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition Legislative Prayer Breakfast in Tallahassee. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee delivered a powerful keynote address to the crowd of almost 300 on the importance of people of faith engaging in politics and culture. This year’s event was co-hosted by Concerned Women for America of Florida.
Huckabee, now a resident of Walton County, thanked the leaders in attendance, including Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and Supreme Court Justices Ricky Polston and Alan Lawson, for their willingness to serve, acknowledging to laughter from the crowd that his current role of political commentator is much easier and pays better than the hard work of actually governing.
“If our culture is going to be preserved, kept from decay and rotting, we can’t look to the people in Hollywood, to the people in New York, and we sure can’t look to the people in Washington,” said Huckabee. “We’ve got to look to the people in our churches.”
“I believe in government and politics and legislation, I really do,” said Huckabee. “But I still believe the greatest power is not the power of elected office, but the power the Father gives us through the Son and invites us to access every single day.”
Putnam, the 2016 recipient of the Defender of Faith and Freedom Award, presented this year’s award to former Senator Pat Neal, the owner of Neal Communities in Sarasota.
“Pat Neal is a man of deep and abiding faith,” said Putnam. “He continues to give back, not only to our community but to our state. His faith and his works are to be emulated and admired by us all.”
Other speakers included Corcoran, who talked about the importance of integrity in public life, regardless of personal consequences. National Faith and Freedom Coalition Executive Director Tim Head urged attendees to contact Senator Bill Nelson to encourage him to support the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Senators Daphne Campbell and Keith Perry read scripture from the Old and New Testaments.
“Governor Huckabee’s message on the need for people of faith to engage in politics rather than retreat from our culture was spot on,” said Jim Kallinger, Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition President. “His charge for us to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ as Jesus taught is one we should all take to heart as we work for public policies that will promote the common good and protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
In addition to Putnam, Corcoran, Polston, Lawson, Campbell, and Perry, other elected officials in attendance were:
- State Senator Dennis Baxley
- State Representative Byron Donalds
- State Representative Jay Fant
- State Senator Denise Grimsley
- State Representative Gayle Harrell
- State Representative Stan McClain
- Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil
- State Representative George Moraitis
- State Representative Mel Ponder
- State Representative Cyndi Stevenson
About Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
The Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition is committed to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and like-minded individuals to be effective citizens. Together, the Coalition influences public policy and enacts legislation that strengthens families, promotes time-honored values, protects the dignity of life and marriage, lowers the tax burden on small business and families, and requires government to tighten its belt and live within its means.
ON THE WEB: www.ffcflorida.com
Sponsored and Paid for by the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
Huckabee to Keynote Legislative Prayer Breakfast in Tallahassee
Former Governor Mike Huckabee will be available to speak with media representatives in Tallahassee on Wednesday, March 29, from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
Governor Huckabee will be delivering the keynote address at the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition/Concerned Women for America of Florida Legislative Prayer Breakfast to be held that morning. Media representatives are welcomed and encouraged to cover the entire event, which begins at 7:30 a.m. in Meeting Room A of the Civic Center.
Who: Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor
What: Media availability with Governor Huckabee prior to the Florida Faith and Freedom
Coalition/Concerned Women for America of Florida Legislative Prayer Breakfast
When: Wednesday, March 29, from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m.
Where: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, outside Meeting Room C
505 W. Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Please check in at the registration desk at the bottom of the escalator.
For additional information or to R.S.V.P., please contact Lori Hutto at (850) 222-8156 or [email protected].
Huckabee to Keynote Legislative Prayer Breakfast
The Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition, in conjunction with Concerned Women for America of Florida, is set to host its annual event that brings lawmakers, faith leaders, and engaged citizens together during the legislative session.
The Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition, along with Concerned Women for America of Florida, announced today that Mike Huckabee will be the keynote speaker at its annual Legislative Prayer Breakfast to be held in Tallahassee on Wednesday, March 29. Now a Florida resident, Huckabee was governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. Following his 2008 campaign for president, Huckabee hosted a top-rated weekend show on the Fox News Channel for six and a half years as well as a nationally syndicated radio show carried by over 700 stations.
“Governor Huckabee has always been an outspoken advocate for the values of life, liberty, and limited government, and we are thrilled that he will be joining us for this year’s breakfast,” said Jim Kallinger, Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition President. “His experience as a governor, presidential candidate, and successful media personality gives him a deep well of insight, and we look forward to hearing his unique perspective on the issues facing our state and nation today.”
“The principles that Governor Huckabee has fought for throughout his career line up perfectly with our group’s objectives,” said Terri Johannessen, State Director of Concerned Women for America of Florida “We are so happy to be part of this unique opportunity to gather with like-minded people of faith to pray for our state and nation as well as to hear from a respected leader like Governor Huckabee.”
During his tenure as governor, Huckabee left a legacy of tax cuts, new jobs, improved transportation and education systems, and an innovative healthcare initiative that focused on prevention. Time Magazine honored him as one of the best governors in America and Governing Magazine named him one of its “Public Officials of the Year” in 2005. Huckabee is also the bestselling author of 12 books.
This will be the fifth annual breakfast the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition has hosted during the legislative session. The event draws a crowd of elected officials, pastors, and engaged citizens. In addition to Huckabee’s keynote address, the breakfast will also feature remarks from members of the Florida Legislature.
It will be held Wednesday, March 29, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. Doors will open at 7:00 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at www.FloridaFaithandFreedom.com or by calling (850) 222-8156.
About Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
The Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition is committed to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and like-minded individuals to be effective citizens. Together, the Coalition influences public policy and enacts legislation that strengthens families, promotes time-honored values, protects the dignity of life and marriage, lowers the tax burden on small business and families, and requires government to tighten its belt and live within its means.
ON THE WEB: www.ffcflorida.com
Sponsored and Paid for by the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
Faith Leader Urges Caution on Senate Fracking Ban Bill
Florida Faith and Freedom Chair Jim Kallinger questions whether
the proposed ban on fracking in Florida is necessary or beneficial.
Jim Kallinger, Chairman of the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition, made the following statement today regarding Senate Bill 442:
“Stewardship of our planet is one of the most obvious duties we have. If we are to protect the faith and freedom that is the God-given right of every person, we must protect the environment in which we all live.
“In light of that, we support sound public policies that protect and conserve our natural resources while also encouraging a strong economy and ensuring personal freedom. That’s why we urge Florida legislators to seriously consider whether Senate Bill 442, which would ban fracking in Florida, is the best direction for our state’s environmental policy.
“Without clear and compelling evidence that fracking is unsafe, we believe a ban on the technology in Florida could threaten the state’s potential to develop much-needed energy sources to power our future. Environmental stewardship must be balanced with the economic needs of future generations of Floridians and based on facts.
“We believe both these goals can be achieved, but not through regulatory tactics that are not rooted in sound science and data. We hope the Florida Senate will put the brakes on Senate Bill 442 and make sure that Florida policies on fracking, and any other energy-development resource, will actually help, not hurt, Floridians.”
About Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
The Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition is committed to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and like-minded individuals to be effective citizens. Together, the Coalition influences public policy and enacts legislation that strengthens families, promotes time-honored values, protects the dignity of life and marriage, lowers the tax burden on small business and families, and requires government to tighten its belt and live within its means.
ON THE WEB: www.ffcflorida.com
