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Fr. Tim Holeda Opens Senate Session with Prayer
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At the invitation of President Bill Galvano, Fr. Tim Holeda delivered the opening prayer for the Senate Session on Friday, April 26. Fr. Holeda is parochial vicar at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee and also serves as chaplain of the Florida State University Catholic Student Union (CSU). Several CSU students were present in the gallery to join in prayer and view the session. |
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State-Level Immigration Enforcement Measure Passes Senate; Returns to House
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HB 527 (Byrd) was passed by the House (69-47). The Senate took up its similar companion measure, SB 168 (Gruters), amended the bill and passed it (22-18). Among other Senate amendments, protections were added for any undocumented immigrant who has been a witness to or victim of certain crimes, including domestic violence, rape, murder, and human trafficking. The Senate bill moves to the House for further consideration.
The FCCB opposes this state-level legislation that requires the extended detention of every undocumented immigrant who U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) suspects is subject to deportation and is in the custody of local law enforcement for any reason - even those who have not been convicted of a crime.
The Florida bishops urge Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level that brings people out of the shadows by allowing a pathway to citizenship, expands family reunification and employment-based visas so that the number of available visas is parallel to the demand our economy creates for migrant labor, and addresses root causes of migration in sending countries. Border enforcement needs to be part of this broader reform.
We are grateful to our FLCAN members who urged their lawmakers to vote "no" on these state-level immigration bills. |
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Budget Negotiations Underway; Pregnancy Support Services Funding Secured
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Formal negotiations on the state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2019, began earlier this week. The House and Senate reached agreement on allocations - specific amounts divided among major budget areas - and the budget conference process where details are negotiated is currently underway. A final budget must be passed by both chambers before the session ends on May 3.
The House and Senate have agreed to fund the Florida Pregnancy Care Network at its current level. $4 million is allocated to provide services such as counseling, referrals, material support, training, and pregnancy and childbirth education to pregnant mothers as they prepare to parent or place their babies for adoption. FCCB has been supportive of the program since its inception in 2005, and Catholic Days participants advocated for the inclusion of the program in Florida statutes in 2018. |
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Governor DeSantis Signs First Death Warrant
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On Tuesday, April 23, Governor Ron DeSantis signed his first death warrant since assuming office in January 2019. The execution of Robert Joseph Long is scheduled for May 23 at 6:00 pm EDT. Long was sentenced to death for the 1984 murder of Michelle Simms in Hillsborough County.
In August 2018, Pope Francis requested reformulation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church's treatment of the death penalty. The revised instruction reflects the growing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of great crimes. Additionally, more effective forms of detention have been developed to ensure the due protection of citizens without definitively depriving the guilty of the possibility of redemption.
The FCCB will continue its practice of asking the governor to commute the death sentence of the condemned to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. We will be urging FLCAN subscribers to do the same as the date of the execution approaches. |
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Senate Passes Parental Empowerment Bill with Problematic Formula
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SB 7070 (Education Committee) would create the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a new state-funded program for students from lower-income families to attend eligible non-public schools that meet their educational needs. The measure would also reduce the current 12,974 student waitlist for the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program.
An amendment to the bill prior to passage by the Senate (23-17) is of concern to the FCCB. The bill was amended with a new methodology to calculate the value of both new and existing scholarships. This change would significantly decrease the value of scholarships for students above sixth grade and would place an undue burden on low-income parents seeking educational options for their children. This new calculation method aligns with the House companion bill, HB 7075 (Education Committee; Sullivan), which is in the full House on second reading.
This year's Catholic Days at the Capitol participants advocated in support of the new parental empowerment opportunities, while also expressing concern for provisions that would destabilize existing programs by decreasing funding. |
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Proposals Would Create New Debt Trap for Low-Income Consumers
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HB 469 (Fernandez-Barquin) and SB 874 (Rouson) would create a new statewide consumer-loan program that could charge interest rates as high as 36 percent on small-dollar loans. Florida statutes consider interest rates beyond 18 percent to be usurious. However, consumer finance loans (installment loans largely accessed by individuals with limited access to capital and traditional financial services) are allowed to charge up to 30 percent under current Florida law.
While the FCCB generally supports alternatives to payday lending, these bills would further raise interest rates for an unnecessary pilot program. A robust consumer loan industry already exists in Florida by lenders who, though not required by law, report to credit bureaus to help individuals build or repair credit - a provision included in the bills.
SB 874 was passed by the Senate (33-4). HB 469 has passed all committees of reference and is on the House Calendar, on 2nd reading. It is likely that the House will not take up this measure. |
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St. John Paul II Basketball Team Recognized by Legislature
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The St. John Paul II Catholic High School boys' basketball team was recognized in the Florida Senate and House galleries by Senator Bill Montford and Rep. Loranne Ausley. The Panthers captured their first ever Class 3-A State Championship on March 5. St. John Paul II is located in Tallahassee and was founded in 2001. Coach Titus Nixon is an alumnus of the school who played on the basketball team during his time as a student. Go Panthers! |
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April 26, 2019
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