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Representative Lori Berman

Senator Stewart Fires Up Crowd at Women's Equal Pay Rally

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State Senator Linda Stewart (D–Orlando) on Tuesday addressed advocates of women’s economic equality who gathered at the Florida Capitol to speak out against the various barriers women encounter in the workplace. In an impassioned appeal to her colleagues in the legislature, Stewart urged for a hearing on Senate Bill 594, which she has introduced as a measure to prohibit wage discrimination practices based on sex.

“It is time Florida recognizes that equal pay is not just something to wish for, but something to stand for,” said Stewart. “If you truly value women, the work they do, the rights they have earned, and the respect they are owed, then hear and pass this bill.”
Senate Bill 594 is designed to prohibit an employer from various discrimination practices. This includes “providing less favorable opportunities to employees” and decisions based on their sex, unfair employment practices that relate to employee wages and benefits, and other actions indicative of labor and discrimination that occur in the workplace.
A companion bill, House Bill 393, has been introduced by Representative Lori Berman (D–Lantana).

Senator Stewart Fires Up Crowd at Women’s Equal Pay Rally

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State Senator Linda Stewart (D–Orlando) on Tuesday addressed advocates of women’s economic equality who gathered at the Florida Capitol to speak out against the various barriers women encounter in the workplace. In an impassioned appeal to her colleagues in the legislature, Stewart urged for a hearing on Senate Bill 594, which she has introduced as a measure to prohibit wage discrimination practices based on sex.

“It is time Florida recognizes that equal pay is not just something to wish for, but something to stand for,” said Stewart. “If you truly value women, the work they do, the rights they have earned, and the respect they are owed, then hear and pass this bill.”

Senate Bill 594 is designed to prohibit an employer from various discrimination practices. This includes “providing less favorable opportunities to employees” and decisions based on their sex, unfair employment practices that relate to employee wages and benefits, and other actions indicative of labor and discrimination that occur in the workplace.

A companion bill, House Bill 393, has been introduced by Representative Lori Berman (D–Lantana).

Press conference with Sen. Stewart, Democratic Leader Cruz and Rep. Berman

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MEDIA ADVISORY

On Tuesday, October 24, Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), Democratic Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) will be holding a press conference and rally in support of their Equal Pay for Equal Work bill, SB 594/HB 393.
Nicknamed the “Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act” in honor of Helen Gordon Davis for her hard work in the field of equal pay, the bill hopes to strengthen state laws in this arena. In short, the bills seek to specify which factors employers can use to decide to pay employees differently, such as education, experience, or seniority, or merit. It would also prohibit employers from screening job applicants based on prior wages, bar employers from taking retaliatory action against an employee who discloses their wages to a coworker, prohibit employers from discrimination towards employees based on their sex, prohibit employers from using the wage or salary history of a prospective employee in determining a wage or as a condition to be interviewed, and create civil penalties for violations of these laws.

Who: Senator Linda Stewart, Democratic Leader Janet Cruz & Representative Lori Berman

What: Press Conference

When: Tuesday, October 24th, at 1:00pm

Where: Outside the House Chamber
4th Floor Rotunda
The Capitol

 

Senator Audrey Gibson and Representative Lori Berman File Legislation to Reduce Gun Violence

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Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) are filing bills designed to temporarily prevent individuals who are at high risk of harming themselves or others from accessing firearms. The legislation allows family, household members, and law enforcement to obtain a court order when there is demonstrated evidence that the person poses a significant danger to themselves or others, including danger as a result of a mental health crisis or violent behavior.
“It is critical to address senseless gun deaths that now seem to be more the norm than a rarity.  This bill is designed to remove from harm’s way individuals who are at high risk of harming themselves or others through an act of gun violence.  A temporary, evidenced-based court order to remove a firearm from the home can be extremely helpful in curbing dangerous crisis behavior,” said Senator Audrey Gibson.
The purpose and intent of this legislation – HB 231, with the Senate measure awaiting a bill number – is to reduce gun deaths and injuries by allowing an order to temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms, while simultaneously respecting constitutional right. Court orders are intended to be limited to situations in which the person poses a significant danger of harming themselves or others by possessing a firearm, and include standards and safeguards to protect the rights of respondents and due process of law.
“In light of Sunday night’s tragedy in Las Vegas, it is more important than ever that we address how to limit gun violence,” stated Representative Lori Berman. “This bill provides a mechanism for family or household members and law enforcement to stop bad actors before tragedy happens. The legislation also gives family members a pathway for removing firearms from individuals in the throes of a dangerous mental health crisis, including suicidal ideations.”

Press Conference with Sen. Linda Stewart, Democratic Leader Janet Cruz, & Rep. Lori Berman

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Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), Democratic Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa), and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) will hold a press conference and rally tomorrow to gain support for their Equal Pay for Equal Work bills, SB 410/HB 319.
Named the “Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act” in honor of Helen Gordon Davis for her hard work in the field of equal pay, the bill hopes to strengthen state laws in this arena. If enacted, the bills would specify which factors employers can use to decide to pay employees differently, such as education or experience based on seniority or merit, and would prohibit employers from screening job applicants based on prior wages. It would also bar employers from taking retaliatory action against an employee who discloses their wages to a coworker and prohibits employers from discrimination towards employees based on their sex or gender identity.
Rallies in support of the legislation are also taking place in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and St. Augustine tomorrow.
Who: Senator Linda Stewart, Democratic Leader Janet Cruz, & Representative Lori Berman
What: Press Conference & Rally
When: Tuesday, March 14, 12:00pm
Where: Outside the Senate Chamber
4th Floor Rotunda
The Capitol

Senator Jeff Clemens & Rep. Berman file bills to create Energy Economic Zones

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State Senator Jeff Clemens (D-Lake Worth) and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) today filed legislation to create “Energy Economic Zones” within the state, expanding a pilot program designed to cultivate green economic development, encourage renewable electric energy generation, manufacture products that contribute to energy conservation and green jobs.
SB 1090 and HB 887 will allow cities to establish incentive programs that further promote economic development and job creation within the growing renewable energy industry.
“This is the perfect way to support innovation at our universities and provide entrepreneurs with an avenue to help secure our energy future,” said Clemens.
“Advances in solar, wind, and hydroelectricity have made the attracting and locating of companies investing in the future of renewable energy a highly competitive market amongst states throughout the country,” Berman said. “Having as many tools in the tool chest as possible that are available to Florida’s communities is what we are trying to achieve.”
Under the bill, cities would submit an application to the Department of Economic Opportunity to receive their certification as long as they meet all the requirements, including collaboration with a university or other research institution.
One application is likely to be the City of Lake Worth, in partnership with FAU’s Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC). SNMREC is leading the country in ocean current energy due, in part, to its proximity to the Gulf Stream just a few miles off the coast of Palm Beach County.
Both Senator Clemens and Representative Berman sit on the energy committees of their respective chambers.

Sen. Stewart, House Democratic Leader Cruz and Rep. Berman Propose Bill to Eliminate Gender Pay Gap

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State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) today filed Senate Bill 410 and House Bill 319, jointly named the Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Act, aimed at closing the gender pay gap in Florida.
The bills seek to close the pervasive gender pay gap by updating and clarifying Florida’s current law to ban employers from paying workers differently based on sex or gender identity. On average, women in Florida take home only 87 cents for every dollar earned by men.
“It is unconscionable that in America today women continue to be paid less for the same amount of work as men,” declared House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz. “Our nation was founded on the ideal that all of us are created equal and that ought to hold in all facets of our lives. Paying people fairly for the work they do shouldn’t depend on their gender, but rather on the quality of their work.”
Additionally, SB 410 and HB 319 delineates which reasons employers can use to pay employees differently – things like education, skill-set, and experience. By clarifying these reasons, employers can avoid costly litigation and be clear about which attributes are valued. Moreover, the bills would prohibit “mommy tracking,” ensuring that women (and men) are not forced into lower tracks of employment based on assumptions. It would bar employers from inquiring about or screening employees based on their prior salary history – a practice we know can introduce unintended discrimination into the hiring process. It would also increase civil penalties for a violation, thus motivating employers to do the right thing.
“I’m honored to be a part of this fight. Reducing an entire group of Floridians take home pay not only hurts their families, but it hurts Florida’s economy as a whole. Those groups most affected by this – the single mother; a family stricken by illness or unemployment or tragedy that relies on a female breadwinner; those Floridians whose gender identity isn’t even recognized anywhere in our state laws; they deserve policies and protections that reflect the reality of their everyday existence. That’s why we need this bill. That’s why we were elected to serve,” proclaimed Senator Linda Stewart.
Efforts to close the gender pay gap are both popular and necessary. Despite having federal legislation on the books since 1963, the gender wage gap persists. According to the The American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Florida, over a lifetime of work (47 years), the total estimated loss of earnings of women compared with men is $700,000 for a high school graduate, $1.2 million for a college graduate and $2 million for a professional school graduate.
“I am proud and honored to file this legislation along with Senator Stewart and Democratic Leader Cruz. Leader Cruz has championed this bill for 5 years and I have always supported her efforts. While I feel this legislation should be unnecessary, the reality is that in 2017 women are still not earning the same pay as men in the same position. Paying women equally is good for the economy and good for business. It is simply a no-brainer and I invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to write this into statute once and for all,” said Representative Lori Berman.
On Tuesday, January 24th, 2017 at 11:30am in front of the Senate Chambers, all three Members will be hosting a press conference announcing this legislation. They invite their colleagues to join them.