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State Leaders Respond to Parkland High School Tragedy
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A week after the deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, several thousand people rallied outside the Capitol in Tallahassee on Wednesday, February 21. Survivors, families, local students and gun-control advocates called on state lawmakers to enact stricter gun laws. On the same day, about 100 students from Parkland met in person with legislators and state leaders, including Governor Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron, to press for immediate action on gun reform and school-safety measures to prevent another tragedy.
Earlier this week, at Governor Scott's direction, a series of workshops were held with law enforcement, education leaders, mental health experts and state agency officials. The governor held a news conference Friday morning to announce his action plan to help keep Florida students safe. He broke his plan into three sections: gun laws, school safety, and mental health. Among the provisions in the plan are a requirement that all individuals purchasing firearms must be 21 or older; a ban on the purchase or sale of bump stocks; a mandatory law enforcement officer in every public school; increased funding for school hardening measures such as metal detectors, bullet-proof glass, steel doors, and upgraded locks; and prohibitions on the purchase or possession of a gun by individuals with mental illness who are a danger to themselves or others.
Leaders of the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives also announced a comprehensive package of legislation to improve the safety and security of Florida students and schools. Described as a bipartisan effort, the provisions of the proposal were similar to those in the governor's plan.
The Catholic Church has been a consistent voice for the prevention of gun and other forms of violence that strike at the life and dignity of persons and a strong advocate for the reasonable regulation of firearms. A 2016 document from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged support for policy and legislative measures that, among other reforms, require universal background checks for all gun purchases; limit civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines; and improve access to mental health care for those who may be prone to violence. |
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Eric Scott Branch Executed February 22
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Eric Scott Branch was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, February 22 after receiving a lethal injection at Florida State Prison. Mr. Branch was convicted of the 1993 murder of Susan Morris, a University of West Florida student. Prior to the execution, Catholic faithful and members of the community gathered to pray for the victim and aggressor, and their families, for an end to the use of the death penalty, and for Governor Scott as he confronted the decision to proceed with the execution.
We thank all of our FLCAN members who sent a message to the governor urging him to commute Mr. Branch's sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. |
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USCCB Announces National Call-in Day for Dreamers for February 26
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Late last week, the U.S. Senate failed to achieve the 60 votes needed to move forward with debate on legislation to provide relief to Dreamers. These 1.8 million young people who were brought into the United States by their parents as children may face deportation as soon as March 6, unless Congress reaches a bi-partisan solution to protect them.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB President; Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, USCCB Vice President; and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, together issued a statement announcing a National Catholic Call-In Day to Protect Dreamers on Monday, February 26. "Our faith compels us to stand with the vulnerable, including our immigrant brothers and sisters," said the bishops. "We have done so continually, but we must show our support and solidarity now in a special way. Now is the time for action."
Please participate in the Call-in Day to Congress on Monday, February 26, 2018! Directions are available in both English and Spanish.
See also: Why We Are Advocating for Dreamers, both in English and Spanish. |
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Florida House Recognizes Health Risks of Pornography
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On Tuesday, February 20, HB 157 (Spano) was adopted by the full House on a voice vote. This FCCB-supported resolution recognizes the public health risk created by pornography and acknowledges the need for education, prevention, research and policy change to protect the residents of Florida. Lawmakers in eight other states have passed similar resolutions.
A growing body of research demonstrates the negative impacts of pornography on children and teens; the role of pornography in the demand for human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography; the potential for addiction to pornography; mental and physical illnesses caused by pornography; and the negative impact on intimate relationships and families. |
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FCCB Provides Information on Education Omnibus Bill
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James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education
After passing the full House earlier this month, HB 7055 was taken up and amended by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, February 21. This major education bill addresses a broad range of education issues, including strengthening state oversight of scholarship programs, such as the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education, offered committee members a practical perspective on proposed accountability measures. |
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Second Chance for Juvenile Offenders Moving in House and Senate
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HB 1197 (Ahern) was passed unanimously by its final committee of reference, Judiciary, on Monday, February 21. The proposal provides for expungement of a juvenile's first-time misdemeanor after the offender completes a diversion program. The bill also allows for discretionary use of civil citations for adults. FCCB staff expressed support for the measure at the committee hearing. Companion bill, SB 1392 (Brandes), is in its final committee of reference, Appropriations.
Diversion programs serve as an alternative to criminal arrest and provide a second chance to offenders who make mistakes while still holding them accountable for their actions. Such programs also benefit society by reducing crime, saving the state money and helping build a productive citizenry. |
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Sign Up to Receive Action Alert Notifications Via Text Message
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Time is of the essence when your Florida legislator needs to hear from you on an issue. Often, little notice is given before a bill is considered by a committee or heard on the floor of the House or Senate chamber. You can be notified immediately when the FCCB sends an action alert to the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network by signing up for text messages. It's easy to sign up, just text FLCAN to 50457. |
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February 23, 2018
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2018 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION
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