News - June 2017 RSS Feed

The Fortnight for Freedom is underway from June 21 - July 4, the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More to Independence Day. During this period, dioceses around the country arrange special events to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom. In this time of increasing polarization in our culture, we can contribute to a better understanding of religious freedom in a way that respects all people.

Florida legislators returned to Tallahassee on June 7 to hold a three-day special budget session. Governor Rick Scott announced the special session during a press conference with Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran. The original proclamation by the governor focused on K-12 funding, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to promote economic opportunity, and Visit Florida funding. Governor Scott later expanded the special session to include the implementation of a November 2016 constitutional amendment on medical marijuana, as well as funding for higher education and the Herbert Hoover Dike around the waters of Lake Okeechobee. The legislature concluded its work on all issues included in the Special Session at 4:42 p.m. on Friday, June 9.

Prior to the conclusion of the Special Session held June 7-9, 2017, the House and Senate reached an agreement on K-12 education spending in the state's annual budget. Governor Rick Scott had vetoed this portion of the budget on June 2. At that time, the state's proposed budget only allowed for a $24 per-child increase in basic funding for K-12 education in public schools. The governor called for the special session to include a discussion of increased funds in the amount of $100 per child under this basic funding known as Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). The legislature agreed with the governor's request. This means that FEFP will increase from the $7,196 set for the 2016-2017 school year to $7,296 in the 2017-2018 school year. The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, which is tied to the FEFP, will also rise.

On Wednesday, May 31, 2017, Governor Rick Scott signed into law an FCCB-supported measure that would allow parents whose pregnancies result in miscarriage to request nonviable birth certificates from the Department of Health. The bill (HB 101), sponsored by Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs, and Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, is called the "Grieving Families Act." Parents can seek certificates of nonviable birth for babies lost after the 9th week but before completion of the 20th week of gestation. Currently, certificates of birth are available for stillborn children after 20 weeks gestational age.

On Wednesday, May 31, 2017, Governor Rick Scott was presented with the state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. SB 2500, the General Appropriations Act, was passed by both chambers of the legislature during the extended legislative session. Governor Scott has until Thursday, June 15 to act on the $82.4 billion spending plan. The governor has line-item veto authority or can veto the entire budget. If he rejects the budget in full, it would prompt a special session to pass a new budget. For information on budget priorities of the FCCB, see our final legislative session summary.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for another six months for thousands of Haitians who fled to the United States after their country was ravaged by an earthquake in 2010. TPS allows these displaced individuals to temporarily remain in the U.S. and legally work to support themselves while Haiti is being rebuilt.

President Donald Trump visited the Vatican on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. President Trump joined the Holy Father in a 30-minute private conversation Before meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister.

Join us for the 31st Annual Respect Life State Conference, October 20 & 21 at the Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Weston, Florida!