From the press office of Florida Senate Democrats:
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, in response to the Governor signing HB 7063: Taxation, which includes a permanent tax exemption for diapers and incontinence products, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Davie) shared this statement:
“After years of fighting for Florida families, we made history last year by eliminating sales tax on diapers for one year. A true difference- maker for families with young kids across our state — because we know that they deserve relief from rising costs, and because we know that essential health and hygiene items should not be taxed. Period.
This was an incredible start — but we knew we needed to do more to provide permanent relief — not only for those families with young children, but to also ensure incontinence products for people of all ages are included, too.
I have been working on this since my very first session, when my own kids were in diapers. President Passidomo presented the bill for me during a committee week when I was on maternity leave. And now, here we are — after years and years of fighting, I could not be more proud of our bipartisan work to bring Floridians real, permanent tax relief for baby diapers AND incontinence products for Floridians of all ages.
Florida families should not be forced to choose between filling up their gas tank, putting food on the table, or buying needed diapers. This tax relief will go a long way to help those who need it most.”
On Wednesday morning, Governor Ron DeSantis signed several “Let Kids Be Kids” bills into law at ceremony in Tampa. The new laws protect the innocence of children by prohibiting gender identity theory in schools, exposure to sexually explicit performances and puberty blockers and other experimental surgeries. The Florida Senate Democrats were quick to slam these new laws as anti-LGBTQ legislation.
A Democrat spokesperson said, “Today, on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the Governor signed a slate of anti-LGBTQ bills, including an expansion of last year’s Don’t Say Gay bill and a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.”
Several Florida Democrat Senators attacked DeSantis and the new laws.
“These bills take us several steps back as a society that’s fought hard for progress and equality. Being gay or trans isn’t perverse. It isn’t dangerous. What’s dangerous is the discrimination legalized today.
These bills are hypocritical and against the stated values of elected Republicans. They say that they trust teachers, but accuse them of indoctrination. They say they’re for parental rights, but only for the parents they agree with. Let Floridians live their lives freely, equally, and without undue and discriminatory government interference.”
Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book
“The Don’t Say Gay expansion legislation requires a gulf between students and teachers that doesn’t serve either. Teachers will not provide answers to questions students have regarding sexual orientation and students will seek information from other sources that usually are ill informed or untrustworthy. Students will rely on television, social media and their peers for information they should be able to gather from trusted teachers. If we really promote parental rights, let parents decide what is best for their children related to gender-affirming care.”
State Sen. Geraldine Thompson
“These bills are mean spirited, unnecessary and won’t stop people from being gay or trans. What it will do is put a target on their backs and increase the instances of bullying and suicides of LGBTQ Floridians. It will put people like my granddaughter in harm’s way which is why we need to be teaching and legalizing acceptance – not hate.”
State Sen. Victor Torres
“Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, which aims to increase awareness of violence, discrimination, and repression against LGBTQ communities, and it is shameful that Gov. DeSantis chose today to sign legislation into law that erodes Floridians’ rights and freedoms. These continued attacks on the LGBTQ community and young people are at the center of DeSantis’ misplaced priorities and wildly out of step with where Floridians actually are on these issues. Real leaders look out for the safety and well-being of ALL people, not just some. The people of Florida are looking for results and action from their elected officials, not division and attacks on our freedoms.”
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