Critics denounce the Florida Amendment 4 website as illegal ‘taxpayer-funded political advertising’.
A state website focused on abortion rights voting policy has been seized by Democrats and advocacy groups accusing Florida Republican leaders of pushing “illegal tax-funded political advertising. “
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration published a web page on Thursday blasting Amendment 4, declaring that Florida’s existing law “protects women” while the policy guaranteeing abortion rights in the state constitution “threatens the safety of women.”
The top of the page reads, “Florida defends life / Don’t let the cowards lie to you.” Below, it reads, “We must stop Florida from becoming an abortion tourism destination.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who oversees the health care agency, is one of the main opponents of Amendment 4 and has been campaigning hard against it. But government officials have denied that they are improperly mixing politics with government business, billing the website as a “transparent” educational tool aimed at correcting the issues.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, along with Democrats, disagrees, saying the practice violates a law that prohibits the use of state resources for political campaigning.
“This type of government-sponsored propaganda, which uses taxpayer money and operates outside of the political process, sets a dangerous precedent,” Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, said in a statement. “This is what we would expect to see in a dictatorship, not in a place called the ‘Free State of Florida.'”
Florida law states that “no employee in office” shall “use the authority of his position to obtain support for, or opposition to, any candidate, party, or to cast a partisan vote or to influence the outcome of it.”
Florida Senate Majority Leader Lauren Book said in a social media release that she is looking for “proper legislative action,” and added that Florida voters must be “free from government interference and lies.”
Government officials defended the website in an off-the-record statement and accused the media of not reporting the story accurately.
“Part of the Center’s mission is to provide information and transparency to Floridians about the quality of care they receive,” reads the AHCA statement. “Our new transparency page serves to educate Floridians about the state’s current abortion law, and provide information about the implications of the proposed change on the ballot in November.”
Agency officials did not respond to questions about how much money was spent on the website and whether government employees or an outside group were assigned to work on it.
In a social media post, Jason Weida, secretary of the AHCA, said the page was started “to combat misinformation and misinformation about Florida’s abortion laws.” The website includes the government seal, as well as the AHCA logo. The AHCA is responsible for administering Florida’s Medicaid program and regulating the state’s health care providers.
If approved by at least 60% of Florida voters in November, Amendment 4 would repeal the state’s six-week abortion ban signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis last year.
A summary of the proposed policy states, “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or prevent abortion before it is possible or necessary to protect the health of the patient, as determined by the provider.” of the patient’s health care.”
The AHCA website warns that Amendment 4 would cause the Florida Legislature to lose the power to enact “common health care laws” for abortion, which would put women at risk.
Florida currently bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The law has exceptions for medical emergencies, including if the woman’s life is at risk. Abortion for pregnancy related to rape or sexual relations with a relative is allowed up to 15 weeks of pregnancy if the woman shows documents, such as a police report.
Supporters of Amendment 4 say Florida’s abortion ban has prevented women from getting the care they need and interfered with their freedom to make their own health decisions. They deny that protecting abortion rights would put women at risk.
If the website is challenged legally, state officials may defend themselves because the content does not clearly state that Floridians should vote against Amendment 4, despite their opposition, said Joshua Scacco, a professor at the University of South Florida studying politics. messages.
Courts may consider how the site is funded and what government employees are assigned to work on it, he said.
“What you’re seeing is state government pushing the envelope in this gray area of governing and campaigning,” Scacco said, adding that Republicans and Democrats have blurred the lines.
Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University, agreed that the law is unclear.
“On the other hand, government agencies are allowed to use public funds to educate the public about election issues,” he said. “On the other hand, they are not allowed to use public money to take sides. So, while pro-choice advocates will view this site as biased, pro-life advocates will view it as informative.”
Ben Wilcox, director of research for the government watchdog group Integrity Florida, said he was “shocked” by the language used on the page, which he thinks breaks down the wall that should exist between governing and making noise. you
“It’s up to the voters to decide if something should be in our constitution,” he said. “It is not the government’s responsibility.”
Originally published:
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