Tallahassee – The Senate President, Mike Haridopolos, has decided to postpone for tomorrow the vote on Senate Bill 2040. The bill, inspired by Arizona’s controversial immigration law, was expected to come up for a vote today.
More than 400 people mobilized in 9 buses to Tallahassee, departing earlier this morning from different cities throughout Central Florida. Whole families waited for the Senate vote outside of the Chambers, while groups of children, students andfarm workers visited several Senators to share their stories, pray and ask them to vote against the bill.
“Whenever we have a presence at the Capitol, they delay the vote,” said Subhash Kateel, state coordinator for the We are Florida! campaign. “Last week we mobilized over 1,000 people. This week, the last of the legislative session, we will not lower our guard.”
The Senate President had announced previously that the law would be modified to include stricterprovisions, and some of the amendments were not introduced until last minute by Senator René García. Businesses might see their licenses revoked, wont be able to contract with the public sector, and receive $5,000 fines for each undocumented immigrant they hire.
“Thesechanges only make a bad bill worse,” continues Kateel. “No matter how lite or heavy the amendments are, this debate is not anymore about good policies, but about bad politics. We urge Senate President Mike Haridopolos not to sacrifice the best interests of Florida for his political gain.”
