Legislature focuses on slot machines, pro-life measures as session continues in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – As the Florida legislature turns its attention beyond the Terri Schiavo case, Bill Bunkley told Florida Baptist Witness the hard feelings engendered by well-meaning, but “offensive lobbying efforts” by “out-of-town advocates” has resulted in “strained relationships with some members of the Florida Senate.”

Such efforts included “alleged death threats, physical threats, cursing and condescending remarks which were delivered by e-mail, telephone and in person,” Bunkley said. “Fall-out from these inappropriate activities may cause difficulties to those of us who regularly and on a year-round basis promote pro-life/pro-family legislation.”

Bunkley, legislative consultant for the Florida Baptist Convention, noted that legislators are “God’s ministers” and while the seasoned pro-life/pro-family lobbyists in Tallahassee are disappointed in the legislature’s failure to help Terri Schiavo, “there are many other major issues yet to come before the Senate this year” needing the positive influence of Christians.

“We ask that believers pray for a healing in Senate relations and a halt to all inappropriate communications to them from pro-life/pro-family supporters,” he added.

A Tallahassee veteran and longtime member of Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Bunkley cited three ongoing legislative concerns that need the attention of Florida Baptists: slot machines implementation legislation, parental notification amendment implementation legislation, and a bill to provide regulation of abortion clinics in the Sunshine State.

Committees in both the House and Senate recently began work on legislation to implement the voters’ approval of Amendment 4, authorizing Broward and Miami-Dade counties to hold referendums on slot machines at local pari-mutuel facilities. Both counties held March 8 referendums, with Broward approving and Miami-Dade rejecting slots. Leaders in Miami-Dade have promised to attempt another referendum at the next available opportunity, and last week questions arose concerning possible “under votes” and other possible irregularities in the county, resulting in some gambling advocates calling for a re-vote on the referendum.

Bunkley told the Witness that the House Business Regulation Committee took a “very conservative approach” to the slots implementation legislation in action last week, while the Senate Regulated Industries Committee held a workshop and is expected to take a more gambling-friendly approach when it considers legislation the week of April 4.

On parental notification, both the House and Senate will work on legislation to implement voters’ approval of Amendment 1, which authorizes the legislature to enact a law requiring minors to notify parents before having an abortion.

Bunkley reported that the Senate Health Care Committee approved “unfavorable amendments” offered by Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, that were supported by the Florida American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood – both opponents of true parental notification.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, a member of First Baptist Church of Central Florida, will consider parental notification legislation the week of April 4. Bunkley said he hopes amendments in Webster’s committee can “correct the effect of the adverse amendments” adopted by the Health Care Committee.

The House will begin work on its parental notification legislation the week of April 4, Bunkley reported.

With physician Randy Armstrong offering testimony March 23 in support of the Women’s Health and Safety Act, the House Health and Family Council “easily passed” the bill that would require that abortion clinics have the same health and safety regulations required at all other medical facilities in the state. Armstrong is a member of Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa.

Bunkley anticipates a “very close vote” in the Senate Health Committee the week of April 4 and the bill will be considered by the full House this week, as well.

On another matter of concern related to efforts to advance homosexual rights, Bunkley reported that a bill (HB 1303) offered by Rep. Kenneth Gottlieb, D-Miramar, was defeated in the House Pre-K-12 Committee. The bill would have required school districts to adopt policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

For continuing developments in the Florida legislature, breaking news will be posted on the Florida Baptist Witness Web site (www.FloridaBaptistWitness.com) and check the Florida Baptist Convention’s Capitol Concerns Web site: www.flbaptist.org/news/capitol_concerns.htm.