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The LIBRE Initiative Issues Florida Legislative Scorecard

For Immediate Release
August 22, 2017

Media Contact: Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4463

The LIBRE Initiative Issues Florida Legislative Scorecard

(Miami, FL) – Today, The LIBRE Initiative, for the first time, is releasing a Florida Legislative Scorecard to provide residents of the Sunshine State with details on how their elected officials voted during the 2017 legislative session on important issues. The scorecard identifies key legislation that impacts our community, including a breakthrough education bill that empowers families with more opportunity and choice for a better education. It also reports the stances of lawmakers on important measures that affect wasteful spending of taxpayer money.

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“Expanding educational opportunities and promoting economic growth for the Hispanic community and all Floridians, both require removing barriers to opportunity and ensuring that all people can fully participate in the economy by applying their skills to improve their lives. This is why we worked hard to inform Hispanic families and Florida legislators by advocating in favor of, and against legislation that was being considered during this year’s session. We applaud the members who received a passing grade for their effort to stand for the best interests of Floridians across the state.”

Background

The LIBRE Initiative’s 2017 Legislative Scorecard includes nearly 2,722 individual votes among 25 key legislative bills. In order to continue to educate our community about the impact that each policy has or could have across our state, this scorecard includes a summary of those bills identified as a legislative priority by the Florida chapter of The LIBRE Initiative. Of the 25 different bills supported or opposed this session, votes were tallied in either the House or the Senate in order to for each member to earn a PASS or FAIL grade.

Grading

One point has been awarded for each vote cast in support of pro-freedom bills identified by The LIBRE Initiative or vote cast against opposed anti-freedom bills. Each vote carries the same weight, regardless of the issue or whether the vote occurred in committee or on the floor. Legislators voting on an issue twice and voting in favor of our position both times received a score of 2/2. If they voted against our position both times they received a 0/2. We also awarded one point for prime sponsorship of a priority bill we supported, and deducted a point for sponsorship of a bill we opposed.

Click here to review The LIBRE Initiative’s Florida Legislative scorecard and look at the legislation used to score legislators.

For interviews with a representative from The LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4463

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