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Florida Legislative session has ended, but we want to make sure we stay connected with you. Starting with today’s newsletter, we will be sending you monthly updates about things that impact our community and help you be more informed about what is happening throughout the state. We hope that these updates will be just as useful as our legislative newsletters. If there is something you would like information about that is not included in our newsletter, please feel free to contact us at info@Equal-Ground.com and we will try our best to be of assistance. Thank you.
FLORIDA BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT CALL
In addition to our monthly newsletter, we are also launching a monthly Black Political Empowerment call. These monthly calls will allow you to get updates and hear directly from state and national leaders about issues that matter to our community. The first call will be on Monday, June 19th. Please click HERE to RSVP.
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS
Last month Equal Ground in partnership with the Florida Network of African American Clergy Alliance Presidents and Rep. Dianne Hart hosted the Florida Faith Leader Legislative Debrief. This was an opportunity for faith leaders of various denominations to assemble and receive an update on what took place during Florida’s 2023 Legislative session. Following the event, we launched a digital campaign encouraging Floridians to contact their elected officials and let them know they are praying for them and imploring them to represent their constituents with honor and pass policies that improve their lives. Please take a moment to contact your elected officials by clicking HERE.
SIGNED INTO LAW
Since Florida's Legislative session ended on May 5th, Governor DeSantis has been busy taking action on the many bills that passed out of the Legislature. Pursuant to Article III, section 8, of the Florida Constitution, "Every bill passed by the legislature shall be presented to the governor for approval and shall become a law if the governor approves and signs it, or fails to veto it within seven consecutive days after presentation. If during that period or on the seventh day the legislature adjourns sine die or takes a recess of more than thirty days, the governor shall have fifteen consecutive days from the date of presentation to act on the bill."
Below is a list of some of the bills we tracked this session that have been signed into law and our position. Each of these bills will be effective July 1, 2023. To view a comprehensive list of all bill actions by the Governor, click HERE.
HB 1 - OPPOSE
HB 49 - SUPPORTED
SB 102 - NO POSITION
SB 266 - OPPOSED
SB 300 - OPPOSED
HB 411 - OPPOSED
SB 450 - OPPOSED
HB 543 - OPPOSED
HB 1069 - OPPOSED
HB 1441 - SUPPORTED
SB 2500 - NO POSITION
SB 7050 - OPPOSED
PUT ABORTION ON THE BALLOT
The overwhelming majority of Floridians think we should all have the freedom to make their own personal health care decisions without interference from politicians. Despite that, politicians in Florida just pushed through an abortion ban that would block care before most people even realize they are pregnant. A statewide coalition of organizations and concerned citizens are working together to protect Floridians’ access to reproductive health care and defend the right to bodily autonomy and we need your help
TAX PACKAGE
The Legislature recently approved several tax relief holidays to help save you some money.
VOTER EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Considering recent laws passed during the 2023 Legislative Session, Democracy for All Florida, in collaboration with Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Vote Riders, and Equal Ground, offers workshops to educate Floridians on the basics of voting. These workshops will give returning citizens pathways to ensure their rights are restored and prepared to vote in the upcoming elections! This workshop will give returning citizens the tools and knowledge to check if their rights are restored, register, and exercise their right to vote confidently. Sign up HERE for the June 15th event.
Building Back Together advances the policy agenda of the Biden-Harris Administration and communicates the positive impacts of these critical policies to the American people. HERE you will find a copy of the Black Engagement Newsletter, which includes the latest talking points, news, and fact sheets to highlight Black organizations and leaders who are helping us amplify the important work of the Biden-Harris Administration.
Black people deserve to be listened to, not spoken about or spoken for. That's why Black Futures Lab has launched the Black Census Project, the largest national survey of Black people conducted in the United States in 157 years! For far too long, Black communities have been left out of the conversation. We're taking the Black Census everywhere Black people get left behind - rural and urban and suburban, U.S.-born and immigrant, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated, LGBTQ, cisgender and gender non-conforming, disabled, young and seasoned, and more - we're looking for you! The data gathered from the Black Census is anonymous and will be used to inform public policies and identify priority issues that represent Black communities. These priorities will help us make decisions about who we show up for at the polls and what we demand from them - which is why your voice has never been more important. CLICK HERE to take the Black Census.
PRIDE
Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the "day" soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
VOLUNTEER WITH US
With the many changes to Florida Election laws. We need help spreading the word to our community. Please CLICK HERE to explore volunteer opportunities to keep our community informed.
NEWS CORNER
Florida pols react to launch of Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign
Governor DeSantis signs bill to defund DEI programs at Florida public colleges
Organizations sue Florida over new voter registration law
What You Need To Know About Florida’s New Voting Law And The Potential Damage To Black Voters
Sine Die 2023: Gov. DeSantis-driven Session ends with GOP wins, Democratic outrage
Florida Legislature's tough-edged session ends with budget, tax breaks and cultural scars
Florida lawmakers pass $117B budget. Here’s what it covers
10 big issues from Florida’s 2023 legislative session
Five takeaways from Florida’s crucial 2023 legislative session
RESOURCES
To watch full coverage of legislative session including committee meetings and floor debates, visit https://thefloridachannel.org/.
To learn more about the Florida Senate, find your Senator, and locate senate bills, please visit www.flsenate.gov.
To learn more about the Florida House of Representatives, find your representative and locate house bills, please visit www.myfloridahouse.gov.
Remember to visit your county’s Supervisor of Elections office to find what district you live in.
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