Updates From Tallahassee
After one week in session, the GOP super-majority prepares to push through the governor's agenda. Meanwhile, despite the odds, activists descend on the State Capitol in protest
To say Republicans dominate Florida’s state legislature is an understatement. After redistricting and eliminating some traditionally Democrat districts, the GOP holds an 85 to 35 majority in the State House, a 28 to 12 majority in the Senate, and the governor’s seat. With DeSantis’ agenda chiseled out and his minions ready to step in line, many see Florida echoing 1930s Germany.
Some are not ready to give up. Volunteers from across the state meet in the capital for Equality Florida’s Pride At The Capital. More than 200 members of the LGBTQ+ community, parents, friends, and allies joined in speaking out against the fascism of “a Nartsicist and a Sociopath,” fighting against each other in the state to decide who will be the next president of the United States.
This is a civil Right’s Movement, You are leading a Civil Right’s Movenemt. ~Carlos Guillermo Smith
After a brief orientation in the morning, members moved into the capitol building for a press conference. Then volunteers broke into groups to speak meat with individual members of the State Congress.
“We shouldn’t have to do this…them what changed. All of a sudden, being fascist was cool again. And we are facing a governor who wants to commit genocide on trans people.” Representative Anna Eskamanti
The First day saw HB999 Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions or “MAGA Takeover of Higher Ed.” in the House Postsecondary Education Subcommittee meeting and SB254 Treatments for Sex Reassignment or, more appropriately, “Criminalizing Gender-Affirming Care” bill. A significant focus of the event was to testify before committee meetings. In both panels, the testimony time was disgracefully reduced to 30 seconds. The reduction in time was “to allow time for everyone to testify.” Instead, it portrays the appearance that getting to evening socialization was more critical to these representatives of the people than actually listening to the people. Giving 30 seconds makes it easier to faun attention without having to work. As expected, both of these bills were quickly passed through their committees.
On the second day, Equality Florida members will attend two House Committees. The House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee will be hearing one of the three “Don’t say ‘They’” bills HB1223 Public PreK-12 Educational Institution and Instruction Requirements, and the House Civil Justice Subcommittee will hear the “Defamation Censorship” bill HB991 Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses. There will also be additional face-to-face meetings with representatives where Equality Florida members hope to gain individual allies.
Coming Soon:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly wk 2 ed. a bill by bill status report of the LGBTQ+ bills moving through the Florida Legislature.