Florida HB 7111

Despite Florida being a highly Republican state in our House and Senate, lawmakers who pride themselves on smaller govt, literally make up problems to pass legislation so their names can be put on a bill.

Case and point HB 7111 which OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED in the Fl House . This broadly worded bill would allow adoption agencies who receive TAX PAYER FUNDS to turn around and arbitrarily discriminate against QUALIFIED parents. 

Rather than an up or down approval to adopt a child in need of a loving home, this bill would allow the tax funded agency to say no based on sexual orientation, marital status, ect... Thus bringing up the constitutionality of the bill.

Despite Republicans in the Fl house stating it is NOT discriminatory to the LGBT community, they rejected nearly 29 amendments to the bill which would specifically carve out the ability to discriminate solely for being gay.... 

One main supporter for the bill actually tried to reinstate a 1977 law that BANNED gay tax paying citizens the right to adopt children in need of a safe, loving home. This 1977 law was ruled unconstitutional in 2010

Sadly the Fl House passed this bill, but the Fl Senate has held it up in the Rules comittee which consists of 8 Republicans and 0 Democrats refusing to vote as even they feel it may be overturned by the courts as unconstitutional

Additionally , the Senate was hoping to entice Foster parents of 160 children to permanently adopt with a tax incentive of $5,000-10,000 thus, this House Bill put that at risk as 33% of the Foster homes could be affected by HB7111

Now let's stop for a second and ask why our legislatures in the House not only voted on this discriminate bill but even created it... After all these agencies gladly accept tax payer money and operate under a govt issued business license... How many of the adopted kids complained? Perhaps that was the driving force... NOPE NOT ONE... In fact when the sponsor of the bill was asked he could not even answer basic facts about agencies, complaints ECT... He had no clue as to the facts....

As facts would have it at MOST 2 religious organizations were concerned about this... That's it 2.. When was the last time 2 cases of complaints got our legislatures to do something.

Rep. Ray Pilon who represents Sarasota Fl.. Stated he had to vote his "conscious and church" ... What happened to voting the will of those you represent... He also stated gay people could still go to a public agency... I compare that to separate but equal.. Like when we use to tell black citizens which water fountain to use or which bathroom to use.... It is SHAMEFUL.... He declined to respond to my request for a meeting...but will most likely not be re elected in 2016 as he votes for himself and his church not for Sarasota. 

Hopefully this bill will never be passed, if so, it will cost Fl tax payers $1 million a year to house 160 foster children who could be adopted..

Regards

Jordan Letschert