Legislative Office The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida maintains a permanent legislative office at the state capital in Tallahassee. During the sixty-day Regular Session, which convened on March 6, the ACLU tracked over 100 bills and actively lobbied, often with coalition partners, approximately 25 bills.
Legislative Committee, Regional Offices & Local Chapters The legislative staff counsel preliminarily determined which bills would be tracked during the Regular Session. The ACLU of Florida legislative committee, composed of board members representing the state's 18 chapters, worked with the legislative staff counsel and the executive director to identify bills with civil liberties implications and to prioritize legislation that would be the subject of the ACLU lobbying effort.
Our legislative program benefited tremendously this session from the expansion of the ACLU of Florida regional offices (located in Tampa, Pensacola, Melbourne, Orlando and soon to be in Jacksonville) and the hiring of new project directors for specialized areas of concern (voting rights, racial justice, church/state, reproductive freedom, and lesbian & gay rights). There was also significant grassroots participation at the chapter level under the direction of our field coordinator based in Miami.
The legislative office, as we do each session, benefited from the assistance of interns from the Florida State University College of Law who performed assigned research and legal writing assignments to fulfill their pro bono requirement at the law school. This session ACLU also had the expertise of Glenn Lang, a former Senate staffer at the Florida Legislature, who volunteered not only to draft some excellent talking points and amendments to bills, but also to testify on several key measures for the ACLU.

Civil Liberties

Major Victory on Voting Technology By large margins, both houses of the Florida Legislature passed legislation requiring all Florida counties to have paper ballot voting technology in place before the 2008 primary elections.
ACLU applauded the Florida Legislature for acting on Governor Charlie Crist's commitment to change the state's flawed voting system . This was ACLU's number one priority for 2007. Nonetheless, there is more work to be done.
In Florida Legislature 2008, the battle for fair elections in our state will focus on the 15 former DRE (touch-screen voting) counties, which must act independently to ensure that disabled and language-minority voters will not be second-class citizens. The legislation enacted this session did not require counties to provide paper ballot systems suitable for disabled voters.
Unfortunately, the legislation also contained a series of bad provisions that stifle voter registration and petition initiative drives by grassroots organizations. ACLU, along with its coalition partners, will lobby in 2008 to remove these anti-democratic provisions from an otherwise progressive law.
Ballot Initiatives Governor Charlie Crist did veto a bill, supported by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and opposed by a coalition of public interest organizations that would have shortened deadlines for citizens seeking to amend the state constitution. The bill would have imposed a 30-day deadline for the submission of voters' signatures on initiative petitions to county election supervisors for verification.
Restoration of Ex-Offender Voting Rights Although efforts to amend the state constitution to restore automatically civil rights to all ex-offenders once they have completed all non-monetary terms of their sentence and supervision failed to gain significant support in the Legislature, Governor Crist and the Florida Cabinet (sitting as the Board of Executive Clemency) did address civil rights restoration for ex-offenders through clemency rule reform.
Progress was made, but again more needs to be done. Thousands will receive automatic restoration, but the new procedures continue to disenfranchise those most in need by denying restoration of civil rights if they cannot afford to pay restitution. This number may be as high as 60 percent of all felons.
The ACLU agrees that restitution should be paid, but without restoration of civil rights (and the eligibility for state occupational licenses), it will be difficult for individuals to fulfill this obligation. Without the ability to work, ex-offenders are unable to pay restitution and become productive citizens.

Supreme Court

There was no proposed legislation this session, as in years past, which would have affected the Florida Supreme Court's oversight and regulation of the legal profession.

Criminal Justice

Prison Expansion Lawmakers provided for construction of more than 8,000 new prison beds and another $35 million for 2,300 beds in privately operated prisons. Most of the new construction is required by the 'Anti-Murder Act', which is designed to return probation violators to custody instead of continuing their release. ACLU did not take a position on the bill. We did, however, express our view that rather than building new prisons there should be a comprehensive revision of the state and federal drug policies which are ineffectual, counterproductive and are the major cause of prison overcrowding.
No Compensation for Alan Crotzer The Florida Senate decided not to compensate Alan Crotzer, the 46-year-old St. Petersburg man who spent 24 years in prison for rape before DNA testing exonerated him.
The House attached the $1.25-million Crotzer compensation to a must-pass bill that pays $4.8-million to the family of Martin Lee Anderson, for the boy's death in a state boot camp. But when the bill reached the Senate floor, the Crotzer provision was removed. ACLU supported the claims bill.
Sex Offenders Convicted sex offenders and predators cannot be granted bail in any type of court case unless a judge holds a special hearing to determine whether they are a danger to their community.
The Supreme Court amended the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure to incorporate the new rule in the Jessica Lunsford Act. The amendment is under the umbrella of the 'Anti-Murder Act''. The bill approved by the Legislature also requires a hearing for people on probation for other violent offenses even if the new charge is a nonviolent crime, like driving with a suspended license.
Another law addressed to convicted sex offenders and predators requires that they obtain new driver licenses or state identification cards which designate them as a sex offender or predator.
An ACLU concern about these well-intended laws is that they give a false sense of security. Most sex crimes are not committed by strangers, but rather by family members or persons regularly in the home such as boyfriends or relatives. Vigilance, not vengeance, is the key to preventing these horrific crimes. Likewise, Florida, unlike many states, fails to distinguish adequately between predators and offenders. Harsh treatment of predators may be justified, but those who commit minor sex offenses, particularly at a young age, should be treated differently by the criminal justice system.
NRA vs. Business Community Legislators rejected a bill intended to allow gun owners to have weapons locked in their cars at work. Many employers forbid employees from bringing guns onto company property. It was a battle between gun-rights advocates and the business community. The ACLU, despite being requested by both sides to support their position, sat this one out.
Death Penalty A bill to end an experiment using only private attorneys to handle capital post-conviction appeals in North Florida and to reinstate the northern office of the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel (CCRC) died on the House calendar.
Lethal Injection Although the Legislature took no action on a bill to require a new lethal injection protocol, a commission appointed by former Governor Jeb Bush filed its report nearly six months after the botched execution of Angel Diaz which led to a temporary moratorium in executions.
Unfortunately, there is no change to the chemical cocktail. This even after the Governor's Commission recommended considering a change and a University of Miami Medical School report raised more disturbing questions about the chemicals currently used. Like so many other states, Florida simply validates its lethal injection chemicals and procedures based on what other states are doing.
The 'new, improved procedure' attempts to create "a buffer for qualified health care professionals to participate only to the extent that their consultation is needed to resolve venous or other technical issues without actually participating in the execution itself." The procedures were written "validating the limited involvement of the medical community to purely medical issues that are an aside to the actual process."
The changes made by the Department of Corrections were, in the opinion of the ACLU, merely window-dressing. After the new procedures were put in place, Governor Crist resumed the signing of death warrants. However, the pending execution was stayed pending court review of the new procedures.
The ACLU urges a new moratorium on executions and a comprehensive review of the death penalty in our state in accordance with the recommendations and findings of the recent report by the American Bar Association.

Church/State

No major church/state bills were enacted this session.
The bill (filed annually for the past decade) to permit voluntary prayer in the public schools died in committee.
Efforts to expand public-funded stem cell research failed after opposition from the Religious Right.
Legislation was introduced that would have revived Jeb Bush's Opportunity Scholarship Program (school vouchers) that was ruled unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court. The measure would have allowed students who previously qualified for school vouchers (OPS) to be eligible for Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarships (CITC) and would have expanded the CITC program to include foster children and eligible students in the Department of Juvenile Justice system. Both measures died on calendar, at least in part, due to concerns that passage could encourage litigation against CITC and the McKay Scholarship program which, to date, have not been challenged in the courts.
A bill that would exempt a child care program affiliated with a religious congregation or a religious school from regulation by the Department of Children & Family Services as a religious-exempt child care program died in committee. Although there were no new church/state laws enacted, the Florida Legislature did include in the general appropriations act substantial funding for abstinence-only sex education and other faith-based programs. These are being monitored by the ACLU legal department.

Lesbian & Gay Rights

Florida is the only state in the nation with an absolute ban on adoption by gays and lesbians. A bill that would have repealed the ban died in committee. Repeal of this discriminatory measure is an ACLU priority.
ACLU was part of a coalition that worked to pass a statewide safe schools law that bans harassment of students and provides mandatory training for every Florida teacher on how to identify and stop harassment when it occurs. The bill died in committee.
A bill to include sexual orientation and familial status as grounds for discrimination in public lodging establishments and public food service establishments died in committee.

Reproductive Freedom

The Prevention First Act This is the second year that the Prevention First Act was introduced in the Florida Legislature. It called on the Department of Health to make information on family planning services more accessible, required that emergency contraception be made available to all rape and incest survivors in emergency rooms, and required Florida schools to teach a comprehensive sex education curriculum. The bill passed easily out of one Senate committee with bipartisan support -- but without the section on sex education. Unfortunately, no action on the bill was taken in the House. The Prevention First Act is supported by ACLU at both the state and Congressional levels, and will again be an affiliate priority in 2008.
The Parents Right to Know Act This legislation would have required schools that teach abstinence-only sex education or receive abstinence-only funding to inform parents what information their children are not receiving in the classroom, such as medically-accurate information about contraception and sexually transmitted infections.
The bill died in committee. Addressing the failed abstinence-only sex education program is an ACLU priority.
Restrictions on Reproductive Health Care What began as a bad bill that would have made it more difficult for minors to secure an abortion if they did not wish to notify their parents became an assault on both adult and young women's access to reproductive health care. The original bill tried to increase the obstacles young women would face if seeking a judicial bypass of the parental notification law. The Florida House of Representatives added several dangerous amendments to the bill that would also have required all women (including adults) to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion as well as receive and be offered to view an ultrasound so that they could consider the full effects of their decision. This was a clear attempt to intimidate women who have already made a very difficult and personal medical decision and interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.
The ACLU and our coalition partners opposed the bill which died in committee.
Child Abuse Reporting This bill would have criminalized sex and scared young women out of seeking health care. It would have required health care practitioners who provide abortions, personnel of abortion clinics and others to report pregnancies of girls less than 16 years of age to law enforcement agencies. It also would have required health care practitioners who perform abortions on girls less than 16 years of age to collect and preserve specified DNA samples from the teen and fetus, as well as forward them to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The ACLU and our coalition partners opposed the bill which was defeated in committee in the Florida Senate.
Unborn Victims of Violence Act This legislation was another measure by anti-choice members to grant legal personhood to a fetus and was designed further to undermine Roe vs. Wade. Pursuant to the proposed law, if a woman is injured or killed by another and the resulting act leads to the death of her fetus, then the perpetrator of the crime could be charged with homicide. This would have also changed the words "viable fetus" to "unborn child' in an attempt to establish fetal personhood. The bill, which was opposed by ACLU and its coalition partners, died on calendar.

Special Sessions

Two special sessions were called during the summer months. The first attempted to deal with catastrophic property insurance necessitated by the threat of hurricanes. The second resulted in a two-part property tax reform package. ACLU took no position on either issue.
A third special session has been called for the fall to address an expected $1.5 billion shortfall in the state budget. ACLU will monitor the third special session, but likely will take no position on the tax reduction proposals absent an expansion of the call that might include areas of civil liberties concern.
Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
Florida voters could be asked in 2008 to alter class-size requirements and resurrect private-school vouchers.
An obscure panel with the power to place constitutional amendments directly on the 2008 ballot has been asked to consider these two controversial education items. Former Governor Jeb Bush tried to get Florida lawmakers to act on both, but he was blocked in the Florida Senate by a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats.
Now the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which meets every 20 years, may take the matter directly to voters. Members, particularly those appointed by Jeb Bush, are being encouraged to do so.
ACLU opposes the attempt to resurrect the failed attempt to repeal of the class-size amendment and to invalidate the Florida Supreme Court decision in Bush v Holmes which held school vouchers (OPS) unconstitutional.

CONCLUSION

By most objective standards, this was a successful legislative session for the ACLU. There were several successes and some dangerous bills were defeated. Still there remains much work to do in preparation for Florida Legislature 2008.
Eternal Vigilance is the price of liberty!

Check out the 2007 Florida Legislature Calendar [http://www.aclufl.org/legislature_courts/legislature/2006/2007legislatur...
The 2006 Florida legislative session began with serious concerns that, in November, ACLU would be confronted with a massive public education and fundraising campaign to deal with several constitutional amendments that would eviscerate the citizen-initiative process, weaken an independent judiciary, and enshrine some of the religious rights' core issues (school vouchers, pledge of allegiance, marriage protection) in the state constitution. Additionally, there were approximately 100 bills to evaluate, track and lobby. The following is where the ACLU stood at the end of the regular session.

I. Constitutional Amendments

The biggest story of the 2006 Florida legislative session was the failure to pass several controversial amendments that were expected to be on the November ballot. At the top of the list was school vouchers. The Florida Supreme Court's finding that the state's Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) violates constitutional guarantees of a uniform system of public schools dealt Governor Jeb Bush a major political blow two months before his last legislative session. He and Republican legislative leaders in both the House and the Senate vowed to restore "school choice". It did not happen.
Governor Bush's two priority amendments (class-size and tuition-vouchers) split the Florida Senate in the final week of the session. Both joint resolutions died with adjournment.
There were some 42 proposed constitutional amendments this year. The House and Senate judiciary committees set out to do a sweeping overhaul of the Florida Constitution. There was a lot of high drama, but not a lot of change. The Legislature was only able to pass a measure that deletes some obsolete provisions and fixes grammar and syntax. There was a wholesale retreat on most measures including an effort to increase term limits from 8 to 12 years.
During the regular session, powerful special-interest lobbyists aggressively and systematically pressured legislators to pass a series of voter-gag bills aimed at severely restricting citizen-led ballot initiatives, such as the ones voters passed to ban smoking in restaurants and to set term limits for state legislators. The ACLU and our coalition partners were fearful that many of these joint resolutions would pass.
One of the reasons these amendments are not on the ballot is Democrats united in opposition, but their numbers alone were insufficient. They were joined by several Republicans in the Florida Senate who had the courage and independence to stand up to these special-interest groups by voting, in particular, against two of the worst voter-gag bills of the 2006 session. SB 0720 and SB 1244 would have made it extremely difficult for grass-roots groups to wage voter registration and petition drives. SB 1244 would have gone so far as to establish harsh criminal penalties and excessive fines for any form turned in by a signature gatherer more than 10 days after it had been signed.
On the November Ballot. The Secretary of State's office has posted the order for ballot questions on the November 2006 ballot. Unfortunately, there is likely to be some voter confusion because ballot positions two and five are left blank (previously held by proposed amendments extending term limits which was removed by the Legislature, and another establishing an independent redistricting commission which was invalidated by the Florida Supreme Court).
Amendment 1 - Revise State Planning and Budget Process Amendment 3 - Require Supermajority for Future Constitutional Amendments Amendment 4 - Earmark Tobacco Settlement Funds for Anti-Smoking Education Amendment 6 - Increase Homestead Exemption for Elderly Amendment 7 - Property Tax Discount for Permanently Disabled Veterans Amendment 8 - Limit Property Taking Under Eminent Domain
Access official titles, summaries and links to full texts here. [BAD LINK]
ACLU during the 2005 regular session opposed Amendment 3 (Require Supermajority for Future Constitutional Amendments), and supported during the 2006 regular session Amendment 8 (Limit Property Taking Under Eminent Domain).

II. Courts Strike Down Independent Redistricting

Efforts to end political gerrymandering in Florida took two fatal hits this spring. Although ACLU has not deemed redistricting a civil liberties issue, there can be no doubt that the two court decisions had a more profound impact on the future of politics in Florida than any bill passed by the Legislature.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled a ballot initiative sponsored by Common Cause failed to meet the single-subject requirement and would not be allowed on the November ballot. The proposed amendment would have established a nonpartisan independent redistricting commission to replace the present Congressional redistricting process and state legislative redistricting process. The current system allows the majority party to draw the lines that historically has resulted in incumbent protection and few contested races.
The United States Supreme Court decision in the Texas redistricting case gave the green light to the controlling parties of state legislatures nationwide to use redistricting as a political weapon. The decision opens the door to an endless process of redrawing electoral maps for political gain and realignment. The real losers in both cases were the voters.

III. Gay & Lesbian Rights

During the 2006 legislative session, ACLU worked with several coalitions to enact or defeat specific bills. Coalition members do not always agree on a wide range of issues or even why a particular bill should be supported or opposed. Nonetheless, public interest organizations understand that our only chance of successfully opposing special-interest lobby groups is to work together whenever we can. One of the more effective coalitions addressed gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues pending in the Legislature.
Gay Adoption.For the first time in 30 years, the Florida Legislature held a hearing on a bill challenging Florida's blanket ban that disqualifies gay people from adopting no matter how qualified they are or what serves the child's best interest. The bill, as expected, did not pass. Nonetheless, the testimony at the hearing -- by parents, children, and nationally renowned child welfare professionals -- changed minds at the Capitol. The education efforts, coordinated primarily by Equality Florida, generated over 100 positive news stories in the press and five major Florida papers took positions opposing the ban.
Anti-Bullying.The Florida Anti-Bullying bill cleared all committees in both the House and Senate. It passed the House unanimously (116-0), but died on the Senate calendar. ACLU and our coalition partners initially opposed this bill because it included language that would have repealed all of Florida's strong safe schools policies. In the final weeks of the regular session, however, the coalition was able to amend the bill to protect our state's best policies. Prospects for the 2007 legislative session are excellent.
Domestic Partners.A bill opposed by ACLU that would have forbidden universities from using public dollars to provide healthcare coverage to domestic partners died in committee.

IV. Criminal Justice

Only a limited number of criminal justice bills were enrolled. Here are some the bills ACLU tracked:
Restoration of Civil Rights.A minor victory occurred with the passage of a bill that requires administrators of county detention facilities to provide application forms for restoration of civil rights to prisoners who have been convicted of a felony and are serving sentences in that facility. ACLU supported the bill.
Post-sentence testing/DNA.This enrolled bill removed a four-year statute of limitations and expanded the categories of crimes available for DNA testing. ACLU supported this bill.
Mandatory Seat Belts.ACLU opposed the mandatory use of seat belts as a primary offense. The bill died in committee.
Dart firing stun guns/training and use.The taser bills set forth training and standards for the use of dart-firing guns. ACLU took the position that dart-firing guns (sometimes called tasers) are a valid law enforcement tool, but are subject to abuse because of a lack of adequate training and clear guidelines when it is or is not appropriate to use a taser. ACLU also requested that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintain a statewide database on adverse incidents to monitor when problems are likely to occur. Unfortunately, the database was not included in the bill. The enrolled bill does not go far enough in our view, but it is a good start toward accountability.
Sexual Predators/Residences.There were several bills dealing with sexual predators. Most sought to expand residence zones and reporting requirements. An enrolled bill reduces from 14 days to 5 the period required to designate a residence either temporary or permanent making it necessary for the sexual offender to report to local law enforcement. ACLU monitored this bill and urged lawmakers to establish distinct categories of sex offenders who could be treated differently under the law with those committing the most heinous crimes receiving the closest monitoring and those with relatively minor offenses not being subjected to the same rules and regulations as an actual sexual predator.
Capital Felony Sentencing. This legislation would have required that an advisory sentence of death be made by unanimous recommendation of the sentencing jury following the defendant's conviction or adjudication of guilt for a capital felony. The bill died in committee. ACLU supported efforts to require a unanimous jury recommendation before implementation of a death sentence and opposed a house bill that endorsed the current system.
Restoration of Felon's Right to Vote.Legislation was filed in both houses that provided for automatic restoration of a former felon's right to vote following completion and satisfaction of sentence of incarceration and community supervision. Similar bills were introduced that would have excluded several offense categories in an effort to gain additional support. ACLU supported these bills as one of its priorities. All died in committee.
Boot Camps.The death of a fourteen-year-old juvenile whose beating by prison guards at a juvenile boot camp in Bay County led to stricter rules for the operation of such facilities and the eventful closing of most boot camps in the state. ACLU supported the enrolled bill.

V. Church/State

Advocates of the separation of church and state expected a more active session from the 2006 Florida Legislature. It was not as dramatic as early feared for which we can give thanks.
Pledge of Allegiance.A joint resolution to place the Pledge of Allegiance in the Florida Constitution died in committee. ACLU opposed the bill.
Faith-Based Advisory Council.ACLU monitored legislation that created an advisory (as opposed to policy) council. We stressed that if such a council were to be established by statute, then it needed to be representative of the diverse religious community in our state, and that any recommendations should not favor a particular religion but rather provide equal access and treatment to all members of the faith community.
Abstinence-Only Instruction.ACLU opposes abstinence-only sex education in the public schools. We favor the ABC approach of abstinence-only as the primary option, being faithful to a single partner as the second option, and the use of condoms as the third option if there are multiple sex partners. ACLU supported legislation that would have required parental notification of abstinence-only classes and the opportunity to have a child opt out with his or her parents' permission. The bill died in committee.
Education Accountability.ACLU supported bills to require greater accountability of private and religious schools that receive taxpayer dollars (vouchers) to educate Florida's children. The bills died in committee.
Tax Exemption for Religious Activity.ACLU monitored an enrolled bill that settled litigation in Orange County between the local property appraiser and an organization that promotes a historical biblical display. The question was whether the display was a theme park or a religious activity warranting tax-exempt status.
Prevention First/Health.ACLU supported a bill to require the Secretary to develop and maintain a Department of Health web site with information on family planning and referrals to local community resources to assist women and families in preventing unintended pregnancies. The bill died in committee.
Parental Notification/Minors.ACLU opposed legislation to change the requirements for parental notification when a minor is seeking an abortion. The bill, if enacted, would have changed venues available to minors, lengthened time periods for a final judicial decision, and would have made judicial review more onerous. The bill died on the House calendar.
Corporate Scholarships.Even though the Florida Supreme Court struck down the state's school voucher program (OSP) and the Florida Senate failed to pass a constitutional amendment to overrule the court decision, the Legislature did expand the corporate voucher program making current OSP students eligible for continued funding. ACLU monitored the bill.

VI. Civil Liberties

There were other civil liberties issues that did not fall into single categories. Some of the more interesting ones were:
Equal Rights Amendment.Ratification of the ERA continues to be sought. Unfortunately, the bill was not even afforded a committee hearing in 2006.
Internet Screening/Public Libraries.ACLU opposes efforts to place filters on all library computers. We believe local librarians can forge individual solutions that can protect minor patrons without a one-size-fits-all solution by the Florida Legislature. The bill died on the House calendar.
License Plate/DUI.ACLU opposed the bills that would have required persons convicted of DUI to display a "Scarlet Letter" license tag on their vehicle. The bill died on the House calendar.
Voting Systems.ACLU supported several bills dealing with criteria for approval of voting systems, and the requirement for a mandatory paper record of votes cast for the purpose of conducting a viable recount. Each of these bills died in committee.
Military Funerals.ACLU opposed an enrolled bill that enhanced penalties for disrupting military funerals. We viewed these protests, as repugnant as we may find them, protected speech under the First Amendment with adequate criminal sanctions under the current law.
Travel Ban.ACLU opposed an enrolled bill that prohibits the use of public and private money by state academic institutions for travel to designated terrorist states. We took the position that the new law interferes with the right of academic freedom, public expression and free speech by students and university personnel. ACLU has filed litigation presenting a legal challenge to the statute in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

VII. Other Issues of Interest

The Legislature did create 55 new judgeships that had been held hostage in prior years in the war between the judiciary and the legislative/executive branches.

• A punitive bill proposing a constitutional amendment directing how the Florida Constitution should be interpreted died in committee.
• A bill that rewrites a rule of criminal procedure in which the defense has been given the last say in some cases for 150 years was approved in the waning days of the session. The Florida Supreme Court, however, has the final authority on the issue.
• Another bill to overturn a criminal procedure rule on when to determine whether a murder defendant is retarded died in Senate committee.
• Business and insurance companies were successful in repealing "joint and several liability" which was their priority legislation for the session. It was a major defeat for the trial lawyers.
• The NRA suffered a rare defeat when its "take your guns to work bill" died in committee. ACLU took no position on the bill that was actively opposed by business.
• State agencies will henceforth have to justify their continued existence before the newly created Council on Efficient Government. The objective is to determine if government services can be provided cheaper and better if privatized.
• The House passed a bill forbidding state universities and community colleges from using tax dollars for assistance to foreign students. The bill that was opposed by ACLU died in the Florida Senate.
• The Christian Coalition was unable to get the required number of signed petitions to place a Marriage Protection (Anti-Gay Marriage) Amendment on the 2006 November ballot. Proponents expect it to be approved for the 2008 presidential election.
• All of us who know and love Key West are delighted that the Florida Legislature has designed key lime as our official state pie.

Larry Helm Spalding Legislative Staff Counsel American Civil Liberties Union Tallahassee, Florida
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