The Floridians Protecting Freedom Committee, the group behind a proposed constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights in Florida, has filed a petition with the state Supreme Court seeking to invalidate a revised financial impact statement (FIS) for the amendment.
The committee argues that the revised FIS, issued on July 15th, is a result of unauthorized actions by state leaders, namely House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. They contend that only a court order, not directives from politicians, can authorize changes to an FIS after a judge has rejected it.
The committee claims that the revised statement is politically motivated and contains inaccuracies. They argue that it could mislead voters about the amendment’s potential impact on the state budget.
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The original FIS, released in November 2023, was deemed outdated following an April Supreme Court ruling that allowed a six-week abortion ban to take effect in Florida. A Leon County Circuit Judge ordered a revision, but state lawyers appealed that decision. Amid the appeal, Renner and Passidomo directed a panel to revise the statement anyway, leading to its dismissal on mootness.
The Floridians Protecting Freedom committee urges the Supreme Court to intervene, stating that the state’s actions are unlawful and could set a dangerous precedent. They emphasize the importance of accurate and impartial financial impact statements in informing voters ahead of the November election.
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This latest development adds another layer to the ongoing battle over abortion rights in Florida. The proposed amendment, known as Amendment 4, would enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republican leaders have opposed the measure, and the revised FIS is seen as part of their efforts to defeat it.
The Supreme Court’s decision on this petition could have significant implications for the future of abortion access in Florida and the integrity of the state’s ballot initiative process.
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