Thread by @FloridaEA

8:30 this morning the House Oversight, Transparency, and Public Management Subcommittee will take up the union busting #HB1
feaweb.org/news/bills/hb-…

We'll provide live updates on this thread during the meeting, and as always, you can watch the meeting live via @floridachannel thefloridachannel.org

@floridachannel There are two bills on the agenda today, and the committee is starting with House Bill 253. We'll provide live updates when they move to #HB1.

@floridachannel Rep. @JamesGrantFL introduces #HB1 and now it's time for questions.

First in questioning is Rep. @Javierfor114 who asks Rep. Grant to provide evidence for the claims he made while introducing the bill.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL Next in questioning is Rep. @KimDanielsFL who asks, "What is the purpose for the annual renewal?"

Rep. @JamesGrantFL answers, "In talking with our friends in the police and fire world, we've got to get this right. This is just the bill's first stop."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl Rep. @AnnaForFlorida is next in questioning. She asks, "Do you have any concerns that this bill infringes on the constitutional right to collective bargaining?"

Rep. @JamesGrantFL suggests he is concerned the current practice interferes with the "right to work."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida Rep. @JamesGrantFL emphasizes (again) this is 'just' #HB1's 'first stop." He continues to leave out it was only referred to two committees. After today's vote, the bill is likely only one committee meeting away from being on the House floor.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida Rep. @ElectJavier, "You say your concern is with the disaffiliation process. But nowhere in the bill is that actually addressed."

Rep. @JamesGrantFL "Yes, it is."

Rep. @ElectJavier "Where?"

Rep. @JamesGrantFL: 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier Rep. @JamesGrantFL, "Before any dues are deducted, we need make sure the employee wants their dues deducted."

Rep. @GoodforFlorida "Aren't we already doing that?"

Rep. @JamesGrantFL "Yes."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida Rep. @AnnaForFlorida has "one last question" before going to debate, "If the employer is delayed in authorizing dues, what happens?"

Rep. @JamesGrantFL "Word salad."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida Rep. @GoodforFlorida, "What is the reason for the annual renewal provision in this bill."

Rep. @JamesGrantFL "I've said repeatedly we need to work on that." (Never addresses why he included this provision he seems to reject.)

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida Rep. @AnnaForFlorida introduces an amendment which would remove language precluding a labor union from asking a member why they want to rescind their membership. "You cannot be better if you don't get feedback," she says as she closes on her amendment.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida Rep. @ElectJavier introduces an amendment which would relive the administrative burden placed on public employers by #HB1

Rep. @RAlexAndradeFL says he opposes the amendment, in part, because he got "hundreds of emails last night" so that was a heavy administrative burden on him

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL As anticipated, both of the proposed amendments failed. The amendment votes along with the committee's vote on the entire bill will be posted on our website soon after the meeting ends.
feaweb.org/news/bills/hb-…

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL We've entered the public comment portion of the meeting. Testifying now is a representative of the Betsy Devos funded Makinac Center. Not surprisingly, they support this bill.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL Next to speak is the president of the United Faculty of Florida, Karen Morian. Who points out employees already must make an affirmative decision to join a union - nobody is automatically signed up. "What this does is add an extra layer" for both unions and employers, she says.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL "This (#HB1) will have a significant fiscal impact on employers," says a retired faculty member from Miami-Dade College.

We'll remind you again, #HB1 has only 2 committee stops, and appropriations is not one of them.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL Richard Jones, a public employee from Cape Coral, tells the committee, "This bill says the state is now going to tell me that I'm no longer a member until my employer processes authorization again. What is my status during that time? Am I protected? Am I a union member?"

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL Ron Meyer speaks, "This is not a bill that solves problems in Florida. This is a cookie-cutter bill from the (Betsy DeVos funded) Mackinac Center...This bill attempts to solve a problem that doesn't exist."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin from the @FLAFLCIO is the next speaker. He says, "If there is a problem of people having their dues deducted when they don't want them to, that's a problem with the employer. Unions don't touch paychecks."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO Martin Balinsky, a professor at Tallahassee Community College says, "The government that governs best, governs least" as he joins a chorus of public commenters who raise concerns about the administrative burden #HB1 places on public employers.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO Representatives from the police and firefighters unions were the last two individuals to address the committee before debate, both spoke of the harm #HB1 would do to the public servants they represent.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO First in debate is Rep. @ElectJavier who says #HB1, "is about one thing and one thing only. It's about union-busting. To believe otherwise you have to suspend disbelief."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO Next in debate is Rep. @AnnaForFlorida who says, "I want to honor those who came to testify today. It's great to see teachers, police officers, firefighters come together today, and we stand with you" as she explains her opposition to #HB1.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO Rep. @GoodforFlorida speaks next and says, "I am not convinced that there is a problem. This bill is an attempt to reduce the number of union members...their work is really important, and to the extent there are issues, we have laws that already address those problems."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO Rep. @JasonFischerFL speaks in favor, "I don't agree with every single word in the bill. I want to work with you around issues with our public safety employees (he specifically mentions police and fire)

Let's remember educators are public safety employees as well. #HB1

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO @JasonFischerFL @RepBobbyDuBose "It's very important that we judge the policy before us as it is cast at the time...my biggest concern is #HB1 only has two stops."

(Rep. @JamesGrantFL repeatedly shrugged off concerns by saying this was "just" the bill's "first stop.")

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO @JasonFischerFL In closing on the bill Rep. @JamesGrantFL compares union membership to "domestic violence."

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO @JasonFischerFL #HB1 was reported favorably.

Vote totals will be posted soon, and updates can be found on our website as the bill moves to its second (and final) committee in the House.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO @JasonFischerFL Vote was 9-5 in favor

@RAlexAndradeFL @JasonFischerFL @ErinGrall @ElectChip @CaryPigman Jason Shoaf, @RepStevenson, @voteforjennifer & Clay Yarborough supported #HB1

@RepBobbyDuBose, @AnnaForFlorida, @ElectJavier, @GoodforFlorida, and @voteCoachP opposed.

@floridachannel @JamesGrantFL @KimDanielsFl @AnnaForFlorida @ElectJavier @GoodforFlorida @RAlexAndradeFL @rtemplin @FLAFLCIO @JasonFischerFL @ErinGrall @ElectChip @CaryPigman @RepStevenson @voteforjennifer @RepBobbyDuBose @voteCoachP @threadreaderapp unroll