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Florida’s economy still sits in the dumpster. A recent study shows that Sunshine State ranks fourth in the nation for percentage of children whose parents can’t afford to feed them. Yet the Florida Senate has announced plans to form a committee to tackle the fallout from the tabloid-friendly Casey Anthony trail. Good to know our priorities are in order.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos announced the creation of the committee today with the following:
In the wake of the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, members of the Florida Senate, as well as concerned Floridians requested the issue of child protection be further examined by the Florida Senate.
In response to these requests, the Senate President today announced the creation of a Senate Select Committee on Protecting Florida’s Children. This select committee will be charged with examining the various policy options that are available to further advance the protection of Florida’s children. The Florida Senate will discuss these options as a legislative body, and then determine whether changes need to be made to current Florida law.
Joe Negron (R-Stuart) will chair the Select Committee on Protecting Florida’s Children, wtih Sen. Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) serving as vice chair. Sens. Anitere Flores (R-Miami), Greg Evers (R-Baker), and Chris Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale) will also be onboard.
A law has already been proposed that would make it a felony for a parent or guardian not to report a child missing or dead with in 48 hours.
Not to make light of the sad death of a 2-year-old child, but really, does the Senate not have anything better to do than address a Nancy Grace-stoked media sensation? Frankly, if the Senate were looking to sincerely protect Florida’s children and not just score media points, they would look into possible child safety reforms following the murder of Nubia Barahona allegedly committed by her adoptive father. That case exposed several flaws in the practices of the Department of Children and Families.
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