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Broward County Legislators Release Joint Statement in Response to House Republicans’ Demand for Suspensions

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STATEMENT BY BROWARD COUNTY LEGISLATORS

With recent calls for removals and/or suspensions from office, today Broward County lawmakers ask for patience and a thorough examination of the facts and circumstances before anyone, at any level of government, is publicly scorned or accused of dereliction of duty.

We have heard cries for the removal of the head of the FBI, the head of DCF, the Governor and even the Sheriff of Broward County before most of the facts and circumstances surrounding the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are even known. Given the understandably heightened emotions surrounding this tragedy, we understand that many in the political process are looking for solutions or someone to blame. But it is important to recognize that all of us, regardless of political party, share an obligation to get this right and learn what happened first so we can take whatever steps are necessary to ensure something like this never happens again.

What concerns us is that there are some who call for removals or suspensions simply to divert the focus of the efforts to protect our students away from the root common denominator of all mass shooting incidents – the use of military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines to murder large numbers of people. Finally addressing mental health funding and examining school security are obvious solutions, but lost in the discussion is meaningful gun safety reform. Raising the age to purchase an assault weapon from 18 to 21 is a no-brainer fix of an obvious flaw in current law; but we need to do more.

In Newtown, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Parkland, with assailants 20, 64, 29 and 19 years-old, in those with and without signs of mental illness, in instances of advance warning or none at all – the one single factor each and every one of these killers shared, in these cases and too many others, is the legal possession of an assault weapon. It was this weapon of war that murdered 20 children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook, 58 concert goers in Las Vegas, 49 individuals at the Pulse Nightclub, and 17 students and teachers at Stoneman Douglas High School. These weapons go far beyond any legitimate sporting purpose and the need for self-defense. We must include in the debate limits or the elimination of these weapons going forward.

Signed:

Broward County Delegation Chair, State Senator Gary Farmer

Broward County Delegation Vice-Chair, State Representative Richard Stark

Senate Democratic Leader, State Senator Oscar Braynon

State Senator Kevin Rader

State Senator Perry Thurston

State Representative Bobby DuBose

State Representative Patricia H. Williams

State Representative Barrington Russell

State Representative Joseph Geller

State Representative Shevrin Jones

Rep. Peters files bill to prohibit legislators from working for lobby firms while in office

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Representative Kathleen Peters (R-Treasure Island) filed House Bill 1325 that would prohibit members of the Legislature and their family members from working for lobby firms during a member’s term in office. The legislation aims to create a more ethical distance between legislators and lobbyists for the time that members are serving in public office.
“In recent years, our Florida House has shown a steadfast commitment to ethics reform and closing the revolving door between lobbyists and the Legislature,” Representative Peters stated. “If the Legislature is serious about ethics reform, then this provision must be included in this year’s effort to ensure a high quality standard of conduct among our public officers. If we agree that members should be banned from working for lobby firms immediately after they leave office, it should be common sense that legislators shouldn’t be working for firms who lobby the government while holding elected office.”
House Bill 1325 will eliminate the opportunity for members to vote on legislation that directly impacts the firm for which they work, and with successful passage would become effective July 1, 2018.
The filed bill text and committee referrals can be found on the Florida House website.

Christian Family Coalition Hosts "Thank You" Breakfast for Legislators

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After a successful legislative session, the Christian Family Coalition (CFC) Florida, the state’s leading human rights and social justice advocacy organization, will host a prayer breakfast on Tuesday May 2nd at the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Tallahassee at 7:00AM where it will thank legislators for their role in successfully advocating CFC’s Legislative Priorities.
CFC’s lobbying efforts were essential in getting pro-family, pro-life, pro-religious freedom, and pro-Israel bills adopted by the legislature. Anthony Verdugo, the Founder and Executive Directors of CFC said, “This is a historic day as we pray with and thank our state legislators for their support of Florida families.”
Citizen activists from all across the state made the trek to Tallahassee to personally thank the legislators for their hard work in protecting Florida families, their rights, and liberties.
“It’s a great opportunity to get to meet our legislators in person, when most of the time they are too busy. Personally thanking them for what they do and taking time out of their busy schedules to speak to us means a lot us and to all those they represent,” said Ismael Arroyo, a 34-year-old Miamian and citizen activist.
The Christian Family Coalition was founded with the purpose of serving as a voice for the pro-family citizens of Florida to ensure that our religious liberties are protected from government intrusion. The Christian Family Coalition works to introduce pro-family legislation at the state and local levels of government. We inform and educate citizens on where candidates stand on the issues that affect the traditional family unit.

Legislators and Business Leaders Voice Support for Common Sense, Pro-Business Bill

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Members of the Floridians for Fair Business Practices coalition
and state legislators encourage the passage of SB 106 and
HB 81 to repeal the Prohibition era Alcohol Separation Law

Senator Anitere Flores (R-Miami) and Representative Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah) today joined members of the Floridians for Fair Business Practices coalition to voice support for and educate the public about a bill that would repeal a Prohibition era Alcohol Separation Law which hinders competition, discourages free-market principles and inconveniences consumers.
“This legislation puts Florida in step with 28 other states that allow distilled spirits to be sold alongside other adult beverages. Repealing this law will bring Florida into a more modern era, enabling our great state to flourish in a fair marketplace,” said Florida Senate President Pro Tempore Anitere Flores. “I am proud to sponsor this legislation and encourage my fellow members to see the benefits of this bill in allowing retailers to compete on a level playing field.”
“I am pleased to sponsor this pro-consumer, common sense bill which advances and encourages competition in the marketplace,” said Representative Bryan Avila. “We must provide our Florida retailers with the necessary tools to be both productive and profitable while catering to consumers’ desire for a convenient shopping experience. This legislation does exactly that.”
Sponsored by Senator Flores and Representative Avila, the legislation will reduce barriers to competition, decrease costs for business owners and ultimately enhance the consumer shopping experience. The following will happen if the repeal is passed:

  • Businesses will have the tools to meet the demands of a changing marketplace, where traditional retailers must compete against a new era in society where online sales surpass brick and mortar stores.
  • Retailers would no longer be burdened by the cost of building, staffing and maintaining two separate locations.
  • Stores with the proper licenses will be able to sell beer, wine, distilled spirits and groceries under the same roof. Businesses who already have a separate liquor store could continue to use the previous business model if they wish.
  • The level playing field works both ways – liquor stores previously prohibited from selling products other than “party supplies” could expand their business by selling groceries and other goods.
  • An improved shopping experience where customers will not need to stop at two separate locations when grocery shopping.

“Retailers around the state are being burdened by archaic regulations that stifle their growth,” said Julio Fuentes, President and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “All this bill does is promote competition and fair business practices while reducing business costs.”
“Simply put, this law makes no sense and leaves Florida retailers with a reduced ability to invest in their workers, their business, and their state,” said Richard Turner, Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We need a common sense approach, and it would only make sense that Legislators who want to create an environment where businesses can compete, create jobs and grow, support this bill.”
“I commend Senator Flores and Representative Avila for protecting the American dream by championing regulatory reform,” said Skyler Zander, Deputy State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Florida. “Florida entrepreneurs should be free to expand their businesses without the restriction of Prohibition-era red tape.”
“Full repeal of this law would get the government out of the way and let businesses meet the demands of a modern marketplace,” said Gina Kinchlow, Board Member of the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce. “The only reason to oppose repealing this unnecessary law is to keep certain players out of the marketplace.”
Floridians for Fair Business Practices is a coalition of retailers and business groups whose purpose is to identify rules and regulations, which prohibit the growth and expansion of Florida business. For additional information, please visit to www.FairBizinFlorida.com.