Susan Housel, Beth VanDamme, Laura Hansen Reynolds, Diane Preston Moore, Libbie Bramson
The State of Florida convened its annual 60-day legislative session on March 7, 2023, and five enthusiastic Collier County Leaguers (Diane Preston Moore, Libbie Bramson, Laura Hansen Reynolds, Susan Housel, and Beth VanDamme) headed to Tallahassee to attend LWVFL Lobby Days to meet our legislators.
On our first day, we joined League members from across the state to participate in a presentation regarding the LWVFL’s top four priorities: Voting Rights & Election Reform, Reproductive Health, Education and Natural Resources. (The LWVCC also considers Affordable Housing a key priority.) In addition, there was a review of Advocacy best practices.
The next day was LOBBY DAY! We expressed our appreciation to Senate President Passidomo for her Live Local affordable housing bill (SB 102), support for Wildlife Corridors (SB 106) and the David Lawrence Center expansion. We advocated for the Supervisor of Election offices to have sufficient budget to educate voters about the many recent changes in voting laws and advocated against Reproductive Health bill (SB300/HB7) that prohibits abortion beyond six weeks. In our meeting with Representative Rommel, we advocated against expanding School Choice via universal school vouchers (SB 202) and making school board and county judge elections partisan (HB 31).
In addition, we observed: 1) the House Ethics, Elections & Open Government Committee vote favorably on HB 31 proposing an amendment to the Florida Constitution requiring partisan election of school board members. Next step is consideration by the Education & Employment Committee. 2) the Florida Senate unanimously pass expanding access to Wildlife Corridors (SB 106) and Live Local (SB 102) housing bill. Both these bills next move to the House.
Lobby Day meetings are part of an ongoing dialogue with our state legislators. The League speaks out on certain issues, but you have a role to play as individual Florida citizens. We encourage you to contact Senate President Passidomo Kathleen.Passidomo.web@flsenate.gov 239-417-6205 and Representative Bob Rommel bob.rommel@myfloridahouse.gov 239-417-6200 to let them know which bills you support and which you don’t Your vote is your voice but between elections, you needn’t be silent. Speak Out!
We unanimously agreed League Lobby Days was a positive experience at many levels. We hope all interested Leaguers take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about how state government operates and get to better know each other. When meeting with our legislators, we leveraged our commonalities, respectfully discussed differences, and look forward to continuing the dialog. We felt proud to represent the LWV and our Collier County chapter. We experienced first-hand the importance of voting and the results of gerrymandering. Protecting democracy begins with voter registration and voter education.