BREVARD COUNTY PRAYER The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the process used by the Brevard County Board of Commissioners to select who may present invocations prior to commission meetings is unconstitutional. The Court determined that the Commission illegally excluded atheists, secular humanists, and polytheists, among others. VOTING RIGHTS RESTORATION With the passage of Read more about Legal Issues[…]
The following is a sampling of bills that passed: EDUCATION Workforce Education A priority of the Governor, this legislation passed both chambers with bipartisan support. The bill will require high schools to place a stronger emphasis on vocational and technical training and apprenticeships, beginning with required courses for middle school students on career and education Read more about Bills that Passed[…]
Bills of Interest AMENDMENT 4 Debate continues on whether Amendment 4, which grants voting rights to certain ex-felons, is self-implementing The Senate Criminal Justice Committee and Representative J.W. Grant (R-Tampa) filed bills that establish certain rules and regulations before voting rights would be restored. The main issue is whether full financial restitution should be made Read more about Legislative Issues[…]
FELON VOTING RIGHTS A U.S. district court judge has ruled Florida’s procedure, in place since 2011, for felons to regain their voting rights unconstitutional. Governor Scott developed the system requiring a minimum five year wait after serving their sentence, probation and victim restitution before a felon could apply for restitution. Even after meeting those requirements, the Read more about Legal Updates[…]
PHOSPHATE MINE LAWSUIT Three residents living near a phosphate fertilizer plant in Mulberry have filed a federal lawsuit and are seeking class action for the case. The Mulberry sinkhole and the subsequent contaminated water draining into the underground aquifer is the basis of the suit. The plaintiffs, who operate private residential wells near the facility, fear contamination and Read more about Legal Updates[…]