TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-Calling it an expansion of gambling, Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed a measure March 31 that would have allowed veterans groups, charities and churches to sell instant pull-tab bingo cards.

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Bush said the bill, which had passed the House 103-11 and the Senate 34-5, would most likely violate the state’s constitutional prohibition against operating a lottery not run by the state.

"Expanding bingo to include sales of what amounts to a lottery ticket is, at worst, arguably unconstitutional and, at best, simply bad public policy," Bush wrote in his veto measure.

Lauding Bush for his "courage" in deflecting this bill in spite of heavy opposition from veterans, Bill Bunkley, legislative consultant for the Florida Baptist Convention, said Bush should be commended for standing firm against this measure.

"The governor had the absolute correct and appropriate response to the pull-tab bingo legislation that was sent to him," Bunkley told Florida Baptist Witness. "The governor did the right thing" even at a time when it is difficult "inasmuch as all of us appreciate not only the men and women who are fighting for our freedom today, but for those who have served and gone before them," Bunkley said.

And while the bill seemed "innocuous enough" on the surface – to be able to operate bingo at a VFW hall, for instance – this would not have been a simple game of chance, or fulfilled the need for socialization amongst the state’s veterans, Bunkley said.

"This act would have had nothing to do with bingo," said Bunkley. "This could have triggered a declared expansion of gambling, which could, in fact, open the floodgate to other forms of advanced gambling."

"I think Florida Baptists should communicate their support and appreciation for the courage of the governor to veto this bill in light of a very serious election year and its implications," Bunkley said.

Another measure with serious implications in this year’s session is a parental notification bill which seeks to amend Florida's Constitution to require notification of parents in the case of their minor daughter seeking an abortion.

The issue came to the forefront last July when the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a 1999 parental notification law violated a minor's constitutional right to privacy.

"The battle heating up on parental notification will center on the Florida Senate," Bunkley said, "and it remains to be seen if they will agree to what family groups feel is appropriate."

State Senator Daniel Webster (R-Winter Garden), told Florida Baptist Witness he believes most people think parents should know what’s happening to their children.

"It’s not about permission, but notification," said Webster, who previously, as Speaker of the House, sponsored a parental consent bill that was struck down.

"There are people who believe the language [on the parental notification bill] should be very specific and those who believe, like I do, that the constitution is not there for specific exceptions, but should have the general overview and the latitude for its own statutes," Webster said. "Rape and other stipulations belong in the statute and not in the constitution."

Webster, an active member of First Baptist Church of Central Florida, Orlando, is gathering petition signatures to be eligible to have his name placed on the ballot in the upcoming election to fill the seat vacated by U.S. Senator Bob Graham.

In keeping with his pro-family and pro-life position towards legislation, Webster is the sponsor of SB 1874, a bill which would allow for the appointment of a guardian ad litem for an unborn child in case the mother is not able to make decisions on her own.

Referring to a case recently decided where the Florida Supreme Court did not allow for the appointment of a guardian for an unborn child of an mentally challenged Orlando woman, Webster said he believes the courts need the legislature to establish a policy.

"We feel like that’s something that’s worth not only hearing, but worth doing," he said. "I think the bill has the potential of saving a life."

Bunkley said he believes the timing for Webster’s measure is opportune and that "the entire country is changing its opinion on the abortion issue" and becoming "more sensitive to the life and status of an unborn child."

Citing the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 which President George W. Bush signed into law April 1, Bunkley said he is hopeful about legislation involving the unborn.

Bunkley said he had been invited to the White House Rose Garden for the ceremony, but was unable to attend.

For the first time in recent history, lawmakers took a break during the session from April 5-9, and will return to Tallahassee April 12.