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Martin Dyckman: Impose a delay on tummy tucks; they’re more dangerous than abortions

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Any law that invades the privacy and liberties of American citizens should come into court facing a heavy burden of proof. Does it serve a compelling public interest? Is it the most reasonable — that is, the least restrictive — approach? That’s doubly true in Florida, whose state constitution contains an explicit right to privacy. That’s why the Florida Supreme Court did the right thing last week to put a hold on the Legislature’s latest mean-spirited and colossally hypocritical attack…

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Planned Parenthood calls latest Florida anti-abortion bill extremely dangerous to women

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Gov. Rick Scott signed the omnibus anti-abortion bill HB 1411 Friday, enacting a new law that denies public resources to women’s health clinics that provide abortion services. The measure doesn’t eliminate state funding of abortion, a tactic that’s been illegal for decades. It does, however, now block money for preventive medical care at the same facilities where privately funded abortions occur. The bill also requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The same requirement is now being reviewed by the U.S.…

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Forfeiture reform headed to Gov. Scott, but is it in the 2016 mix?

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Yesterday, Florida Politics reported on the stunning victory that Sen. Jeff Brandes’ Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill (SB 1044) saw in the Florida House, passing unanimously in that chamber. SB 1044 had passed the Senate (also unanimously) last Friday. The success of this bill – which requires that law enforcement charge someone with a crime before seizing their assets, among other reforms – has been largely credited to Brandes and the compromise he negotiated between the Florida Sheriffs and liberal and…

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Mitch Perry Report for 3.4.16 — After being forced, Legislature finally moves on death penalty law

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Undoubtedly, we’ll hear in the next week (and into the fall) about how Florida is so important nationally because it’s a “Purple State” that reflects the views of our nation about diversity. Yet on far too many issues our state is severely conservative, to quote Mitt Romney. Take its laws on how we decide who qualifies for the death penalty. Until it was slapped down by the U.S. Supreme Court two months ago, Florida was one of only two states that…

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Florida could require arrest before police seize property

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Police would have to charge people with a crime before they can seize their money, cars, homes or other property under bills that are now ready for votes on the House and Senate floors. Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ bill was approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, the last of three stops before it can be considered by the full chamber. A House version of the bill (HB 889) cleared its last committee stop last week. The bill (SB…

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Florida’s 24-hour abortion waiting period to take effect

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A Florida appeals court on Friday ordered the enforcement of a state law that that requires women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion. The 1st District Court of Appeal lifted an injunction that blocked the waiting period from taking effect. In its decision, the three-judge panel contended that a circuit judge did not have enough facts or evidence to support blocking the law. Judge Charles Francis had blocked the law one day before the waiting period was scheduled…

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Florida court hears case challenging abortion law

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Florida’s First District Court of Appeal is deciding whether they should lift an order that blocked a state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period for abortions. The three-judge panel heard arguments Tuesday from the attorney general’s office and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. The state filed the complaint after two judges blocked the law last July when it was supposed to take effect. The state wants the injunction reversed because it believes the law allows pregnant women to…

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