State Senator Linda Stewart yesterday received notice of new committee assignments in the Senate. Among those changes were her elevation to the Vice Chairpersonship of the Environmental Preservation and Conservation committee, a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee, as well as a seat on one of its subcommittees that will determine funding for the four major colleges and universities in her district. Senator Stewart released the following statement:
“I’m honored, especially as a freshman Senator, to be given the responsibility of a vice chairpersonship and help set—for the first time in a long, long time in Florida—a more conservation-friendly agenda in Tallahassee. I’m also excited by the opportunity to fight for important dollars to fund programs and new construction at Valencia College, the University of Central Florida, Barry University School of Law, and Full Sail University as a member of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. These institutions are a vital part of the community—and of Central Florida’s economy—and I look forward to providing them with the resources they need to help anyone who wants to attend achieve their dreams.”
The complete list of State Senator Linda Stewart’s committee assignments are as follows:
• Environmental Preservation and Conservation, Vice Chair
• Appropriations
• Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education
• Education
• Governmental Oversight and Accountability
• Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight
Senator Linda Stewart
Senator Linda Stewart to Take Stand Against Bullying on Orlando United Day
A Day of Love and Kindness
In commemoration of the lives lost at the Pulse Nightclub shooting, Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) has announced that she will be volunteering to take a stand against bullying on Orlando United Day – A Day of Love and Kindness.
“We will never forget the impact this senseless act of violence had on our community,” said Senator Stewart. “I continue to work in a positive fashion to educate against bullying and to help our youth be proud of who they are.”
“We are very grateful for the support from Senator Stewart and that she will be taking a pledge to end bullying against LGBT+ students,” said Zebra Coalition Director Heather Wilkie.
Zebra Coalition is a network of organizations that work together to create safe spaces for LGBT+ youth. On Monday, June 12, 2017, Zebra Coalition will kick off the Acts of Love and Kindness movement by taking a stand against all forms of bullying. The Zebra Coalition Drop-in Center will be open from 12-5 PM for those who wish to learn more about supporting LGBT+ youth through the Zebra Quest experience. The event will feature a scavenger hunt where attendees will be given a tour of the facility with opportunities to have questions answered about LGBT+ people, Zebra Coalition services, statistics about bullying, and ways that the public can become involved.
Zebra Coalition expects over 100 members of the Central Florida community to attend the Orlando United Day – A Day of Love and Kindness event.
Senator Linda Stewart Secures $2.5 Million for Orlando PTSD Treatment
With the psychological damage from one of the worst massacres in the nation still readily apparent in the communities she serves, State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) has secured the reinstatement of $2.5 million into the Florida Senate’s budget to heal some of the lingering trauma.
The restored funding is earmarked for UCF RESTORES Trauma Management Therapy program, a highly effective, pioneering treatment program established at the University of Central Florida for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“No amount of money can ever truly heal the ache and the pain and the trauma that our community suffered nearly one year ago,” said Sen. Stewart, who continues to witness the after-effects residents and victims still suffer from the Pulse nightclub shooting rampage. “I want to commend President Joe Negron for working closely with me to put this funding back into the state’s budget.”
The UCF RESTORES Trauma Management Therapy program is poised for expansion of its scope of service to include first responders suffering PTSD as well as Floridians afflicted by other tragedies, such as the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.
Senator Linda Stewart's Disability Accommodations Bill Receives Senate Approval
Determined to maintain her long-standing promise to protect the most vulnerable residents of the state, State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) on Monday passed a public accommodations bill in a full vote on the Senate floor with unanimous, bipartisan support. SB 1398 creates a voluntary program that promotes accessibility for the disabled, provides businesses with guidance on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and gives courts a tool to reject claims for attorneys’ fees and costs in “drive-by” lawsuits.
“We are taking key steps to ensure the Americans with Disabilities Act is used for the purpose for which it was intended—to protect our friends and neighbors with a disability,” said Sen. Stewart. “Florida’s small businesses will now have access to information and guidance that ensures they are taking proactive steps to accommodate anyone who wants to shop there. I would like to thank my colleague Rep. Tom Leek for his work on the House companion bill.”
Drive-by lawsuits were recently the focus of CBS’s 60 Minutes, which highlighted the abuses of certain law firms that have sought out unsuspecting hotels, restaurants, and other local employers to file hundreds of frivolous lawsuits based on highly technical violations of the ADA. Violations can be as simple as misplaced signs or failing to include the words “Van Accessible” on parking signs. Senate Bill 1398 provides businesses with resources to increase accessibility for places of public accommodation and gives courts a tool to handle drive-by ADA lawsuits accordingly.
Senator Linda Stewart Passes Environmental Protection Bill
In keeping with her record of defending the environment, State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) on Friday unanimously passed an environmental bill in a full vote on the Senate floor. SB 198 requires the Governor to make appointments to fill a vacancy on the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) within 90 days and requires a 4-vote majority of its members when approving rules pertaining to air quality or water quality standards.
“We are making certain that any future vacancies on the Environmental Regulation Commission—a commission that oversees our standards for ground water quality, air pollution standards, and emissions standards—are timely filled so that the interests of the people are fully protected,” said Sen. Stewart. “Unless there is representation from the environmental and local government communities, we jeopardize public health for the narrow pursuit of private profit.”
SB 198 is in response to a 3-2 ruling made last summer by the ERC that increased the allowable concentrations of over two dozen known carcinogens in Florida’s waters. At the time, two vacancies for representatives from the environmental and local government communities likely enabled the commission to approve proposed changes that allowed higher concentrations of cancer-causing agents in our water. Some of the approved industrial chemicals—such as benzene, cyanide and beryllium—are released by paper mills, dry cleaning companies, oil and gas drilling companies, and during fracking operations.
Press Conference with Sen. Linda Stewart, Democratic Leader Janet Cruz, & Rep. Lori Berman
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 Linda Stewart Files New Legislation Better Helping Disabled Floridians & Cracking Down on "Drive-By" Lawsuits
State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) on Wednesday filed Senate Bill 1398 with Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) to create a voluntary program that promotes accessibility for the disabled, provides businesses with guidance on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and gives courts a tool to reject claims for attorneys’ fees and costs in “drive-by” lawsuits. The lawmakers will join State Rep. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) to discuss the legislation on Friday, March 10, 2017 at 9:30 AM in the State Capitol’s House Media Room.
“We are taking key steps to ensure the Americans with Disabilities Act is used for the purpose for which it was intended—to protect our friends and neighbors with a disability, and not as a money-making scheme for unscrupulous attorneys,” said Sen. Stewart. “Florida’s small businesses will now have access to information and guidance that ensures they are taking proactive steps to accommodate anyone who wants to shop there.”
Drive-by lawsuits were recently the focus of CBS’s 60 Minutes, which highlighted the abuses of certain law firms that have sought out unsuspecting hotels, restaurants, and other local employers to file hundreds of frivolous lawsuits based on highly technical violations of the ADA. Violations can be as simple as misplaced signs or failing to include the words “Van Accessible” on parking signs. Senate Bill 1398 provides businesses with resources to increase accessibility for places of public accommodation and gives courts a tool to handle drive-by ADA lawsuits accordingly.
“This is good, common sense public policy that makes a real difference in our communities, and gives the ADA back to the people for whom it was written—Americans with disabilities,” said Rep. Leek, who filed House Bill 727 as a companion bill in the Florida House of Representatives.
“This bill is a big win for both the disability and business communities, and I am proud to stand behind it,” said Senator Baxley.
Senator Linda Stewart Files Bill to Extend Relief to Florida Property Owners
State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) on Wednesday filed legislation to ensure that property owners continue to be a priority after the drywall crisis that struck Florida’s real estate market in the mid-2000s.
“Too many Floridians have been subjected to financial loss because of the influx of tainted drywall entering our markets,” said Stewart. “When property values are lowered due to defective building materials, it is ordinary Floridians who must pay the price,” she went on to say.
Corrosive drywall lowers the value of properties and can have a heavy financial impact on property owners. In addition, imported and domestic drywall can contain high levels of toxins, such as sulfur, that have reportedly been responsible for causing respiratory problems, bloody noses, migraines, as well as failures of appliances and electronics.
A 2010 statute addressed these situations by providing relief in property taxes of affected properties, giving homeowners some breathing room to begin needed repairs. Senate Bill 948 extends the expiration date of the statute.
Currently set to expire July 1, 2017, SB 948 extends the provisions until 2025, adding eight more years to ensure that property owners statewide have the financial security to replace or repair drywalls in affected properties.
Senate Bill 950 is being introduced in the House by Representative Slosberg as House Bill 717.
“From 1999-2009 3,630,000 sheets of tainted corrosive drywall were delivered to Florida alone,” said Slosberg. “Since the market value of the property affected is substantially lowered, homeowners are being indirectly punished as they lose thousands of dollars. It is imperative that the State extend the time period and continue to offer relief to those affected.”
