Legislative Session Update

Legislative Update

I am honored to have been appointed as Vice Chair to the Redistricting Committee by Speaker Cannon. During the 2012 Session, the House will engage in the constitutionally required process of redistricting. The lead up to that process will begin this summer. Starting in July and ending in November, the House, in conjunction with the Senate, will hold approximately 30 public hearings across Florida. I look forward to working with Chairman Weatherford and members of the Committee on this important issue.

For more information on the Redistricting Committee visit the Committee page here or visit www.floridaredistricting.org.

Pill Mill Legislation Passes the Florida House

Florida's prescription drug abuse problem has reached epidemic levels, killing 7-10 Floridians a day and affecting countless other Americans across the country. In 2008-09, 49 of the 50 practitioners who dispense the most Oxycodone in the country were located in Florida (half were in Broward County) according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Florida has 5% of the population, yet Florida doctors alone dispense 85% of the Oxycodone dispensed in the entire country.

Previous legislatures have tried to tackle the problem but have fallen far short. This year, CS/CS/HB 7095 aims to put an end to this epidemic once and for all by taking a multi-faceted, aggressive approach. The practitioner dispensing ban is a front end approach that will quickly and effectively stop the prescribing and dispensing of medically unbelievable amounts of narcotics, which has lead to the problem. The bill also requires wholesale distributors of powerful narcotics to report and record the distribution of controlled substances, which will allow law enforcement officials to stop those dispensing large amounts of drugs before they hit the streets.

In addition to shutting down "pill mills", HB 7095 prevents unscrupulous individuals from operating pharmacies by strengthening licensing requirements, and it shuts down the practice of "doctor shopping" by keeping the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in-tact and tightening the reporting requirement. HB 7095 passed the House with a vote of 116-1.

Court Reform Legislation Passes the Florida House

The House Joint Resolution (CS/HJR 7111) and Implementing Bill (CS/HB 7199) propose an amendment to the Constitution to make substantive reforms to Florida's judicial branch. The Court Reform package will increase judicial efficiency, transparency, and accountability by making multiple changes to the current court system. The proposed joint resolution would be considered by the electorate at the November 2012 general election.

The proposed court reform:
• Creates a stronger check on the judicial branch by giving the Legislature the authority to repeal a court rule with a majority vote.

• Increases accountability in the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) by allowing the Speaker of the House to request the House of Representatives review its investigative files in order that the House may better perform its constitutional duties relating to oversight and impeachment.

• Increases efficiency in the administration of justice by creating a criminal and civil division of the Supreme Court.

• Increases accountability by requiring the Senate to confirm gubernatorial appointments to the Supreme Court.

• Ensures accountability for judicial appointments by making the Governor, who is directly accountable to the people, solely responsible for his judicial appointments.

Around the District

In local news, Workforce Central Florida is hosting a virtual job fair set for May 9-13th. Job seekers are invited to log on from the convenience of any computer with Internet access and post their resume starting Monday, May 9th. There is no cost to participate and available jobs range from entry level to top management positions. Employers are also encouraged to join and there is no cost for a basic package, which includes a virtual booth and company logo. For more information, visit www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com/jobfair or call 407-531-1222. I encourage you to participate and spread the word to any friends or family members who may be looking for employment opportunities!

Florida House Votes to Stop Religious Discrimination, Passes “Religious Freedom Act” by Representatives Scott Plakon and Steve Precourt

Tallahassee, FL – Yesterday the Florida House of Representative passed House Joint Resolution 1471, known as the Religious Freedom Act, by Representatives Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) and Steve Precourt (R-Orlando). The HJR proposes an amendment to Florida’s constitution repealing the discriminatory Blaine Amendment language currently in Article I Section 3 of the Florida Constitution, which bars access to public aid and limits religious freedom. The proposed constitutional amendment repeals language that goes further than the U.S. Constitution to restrict access to funding based only on one’s religious affiliation or identity.

“The current language is clearly bigoted in its origin, discriminatory on its face, and increasingly problematic in its application,” said Representative Plakon. “Adopted alongside the racist separate-but-equal doctrine in the 1885 Constitution, it’s time that the people of Florida be given the opportunity to remove this stain upon our state’s history, which has escalated from discriminating against one religious denomination to all people of faith. Our guaranteed freedom of religion, as envisioned by the founding fathers, must be protected from those who wish to impose a ‘freedom from religion’ standard.”

“Blaine Amendments are antiquated constitutional tenants rooted in bigotry that go far beyond the separation of church and state envisioned by our founding fathers,” said Representative Precourt. “If we don't take action now, millions of dollars in quality state programs- from Bright Futures to Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten - may be jeopardized."

In 2000, a plurality of the U.S. Supreme Court in Mitchell v. Helms acknowledged that Blaine Amendments have “a shameful pedigree that we do not hesitate to disavow” and represent a “doctrine, born of bigotry, [that] should be buried now.” Though this proposed amendment will remove a limit on the power of the state to spend funds, the state will continue to be limited by the Establishment Clauses of the Florida and U.S. Constitutions. Under the Establishment Clauses, government aid may not result in governmental indoctrination, define its recipients by reference to religion, or create an excessive entanglement.

The proposed constitutional amendment will read:

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.—Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to provide, consistent with the United States Constitution, that no individual or entity may be denied, on the basis of religious identity or belief, governmental benefits, funding, or other support, and to delete the prohibition against using revenues from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.

The proposed constitutional amendment’s Senate companion, Senate Joint Resolution 1218, is sponsored by Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne). The Senate must pass the joint resolution before it can be placed on the November 2012 ballot to be voted on by the Florida electorate.

House Budget

This week the Appropriations Committee passed the House Budget and confirming bills. Our Legislature is determined to balance the budget by limiting government, streamlining existing programs and reducing spending. Although it has been extremely difficult to trim down spending, we are determined to keep taxes low and even remove unnecessary regulations and fees that burden Floridians and businesses. Once the budget passes the House of Representatives, we will begin working with the Senate in Conference. For more information or to view the House Budget go to http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/2011appropriation