Florida Officials Push Local Governments to Defend Abortion Access
December 16th, 2021 by Jake StofanThe US Supreme Court is mulling the constitutionality of a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks.
Many on both sides of the debate have speculated a ruling could go as far as reversing Roe V Wade.
A coalition made up of a total of 14 cities and counties across Florida have passed resolutions affirming their support of abortion access.
In a virtual press conference Thursday, a group of those elected officials encouraged other municipalities to do the same.
“To defend against the current very real anti-abortion attacks from our State Capitol,” said St. Petersburg City Commissioner Darden Rice.
The resolutions though primarily symbolic, also have some practical effects.
“They help create a conversation and help us look at our internal policies,” said Ha;;am dale Beach City Commissioner Sabrina Javellana.
The officials argue the resolutions are more important than ever, with the Supreme Court currently considering Mississippi’s 15 week abortion ban.
“We’ve also already heard the rumors that a 15 week ban, much like Mississippi, is what Florida Republicans are gonna be leading with,” said State Representative Anna Eskamani.
Many have even speculated the result of the case will lead to a complete overturning of Roe V Wade, which would allow states to completely ban abortion.
In that scenario, Florida lawmakers may have a tougher time banning abortion than other state legislatures.
That’s because of the state constitution’s privacy clause.
“It has protected the people of Florida from anti-abortion legislation in the past,” said Eskamani.
Past State Supreme Court rulings have held Florida’s unique privacy protections extend to abortion access.
In 2012 Florida voters voted 55 to 45 to uphold that interpretation.
“They don’t want to interfere between someone and their doctor when it comes to a pregnancy,” said Eskamani.
A ruling on the Mississippi law isn’t expected until this summer, but there’s almost guaranteed to be some push for more abortion restrictions in the state legislative session starting in January.
Already a Texas-style heartbeat bill has been filed for the upcoming session, although there are few indications the legislation has much traction among the GOP majority.
Posted in State News | 
No Comments »