Senate Bill today?

UPDATE III: SB2692 is up now at 10:52 a.m.

UPDATE II: Session has started. Senate president just said that they don’t like strikeall amendments on the floor, but strikealls that are done to conform to the House version are generally OK. So, my guess is that Storms’ anti-evolution bill strikeall will get a free pass.

UPDATE I: I’m home today and so will try to monitor today’s Senate session. There is a pre-meeting taking place right now (9:40). SB2692 was pointed out as being a strikeall amendment that could spark “some dialog”. So, it looks like the anti-evolution bill might, in fact, get its vote today. However, the schedule looks packed for the day.

—————–

It looks to me like there is a good chance that the Senate anti-evolution bill will be considered for final vote today. So, if you want to influence the bill in any way, your best bet is to pick up the phone and start calling senators’ offices up in Tallahassee. Now. This morning.

Sen. Storms wants to change her bill here at the eleventh hour so that it matches the House bill. That bill is a single line demanding “critical analysis” of evolution. I don’t know if such a dramatic change is standard practice in the legislature or not, but from my view here on the outside it looks incredibly shady. Storms’ bill already went through two committees and a full Senate debate. After all that, the bill that was considered and approved is now thrown in the trash to be replaced by a brand new bill that the committees and senators have presumably not seen before? If you folks out there reading this know of anyone who is familiar with how such things work, could you please have that person relay to us here in the comments what we can expect to happen, please?

When calling senators’ offices, suggest to them that they not allow Storms’ last minute amendment. Then ask them to vote no to whatever final version of the bill pops up.

Why are you still reading this? Don’t you have some calls to make? 😉

About Brandon Haught

Communications Director for Florida Citizens for Science.
This entry was posted in "Academic Freedom" bills '08. Bookmark the permalink.

76 Responses to Senate Bill today?

  1. firemancarl says:

    Welp, I called Sen. Lynns office and begged her to vote NO, we’ll see how that goes.

  2. S.Scott says:

    Is the ‘House’ bill being voted on today?

  3. Brandon Haught says:

    No. The House bill is only at the “second reading” stage. That means that amendments and debate can happen when the bill is brought up on the House floor. But no vote yet. I have no idea when that second reading will happen.

  4. S.Scott says:

    Storms is on now – 10:51 am

  5. S.Scott says:

    Yay for Senator Wilson ! 🙂

  6. S.Scott says:

    Yay! Senator Joyner! She gets it! Understands that sciencs is limited to natural world not the supernatural. 🙂

  7. firemancarl says:

    What yam eye missin?

  8. firemancarl says:

    How do I tune in?

  9. firemancarl says:

    I got it now, whos the fat guy talkin?

  10. S.Scott says:

    Senator Wise (my Senator – ugh) is pushing Expelled – idiot

  11. firemancarl says:

    Whoever he is, he’s spewing the ID/Creationist crapola

  12. S.Scott says:

    I didn’t catch this senators name. Anyone?

  13. firemancarl says:

    Thanks for answerin my question S.Scott.

    I dunno who the woman is now, but I like what she’s saying!

  14. S.Scott says:

    Me too 🙂

  15. firemancarl says:

    This guy is making a good point. Too bad he doesn’t mention just how much this bill could cost in lawsuit litigation if it passes.

  16. S.Scott says:

    Aaack! I lost my video 🙁

  17. firemancarl says:

    ack!

  18. firemancarl says:

    Brandon, are you gonna weigh in or do I have to call ice cream since I saw you not once, but twice on the news?

  19. firemancarl says:

    Now he’s talking about calling out STorms on her bullschitt bill allowing ID

  20. firemancarl says:

    Ugh! Comparing soda can tops to evolution? WTF??!?!?!?!?

  21. firemancarl says:

    Great, I am watching my daughters’ future science education spiral down the drain.

  22. firemancarl says:

    Oh good Storms, is reading an email from an unamed science teacher who doesn’t want his name mentioned, cause he’s afraid he’ll get fired. Sheesh, with an ally like Storms, why not use your name?

  23. S.Scott says:

    Any names?

  24. S.Scott says:

    No name huh? – Lots of nameless people huh?

  25. firemancarl says:

    No, i couldn’t catch any pro Evos, but Storms is on now and I think the vote is next. I fear it will pass.

  26. S.Scott says:

    Oh! I got video back!

  27. S.Scott says:

    Oh! She’s such a liar!

  28. S.Scott says:

    What is the BoE for?

  29. firemancarl says:

    It passed 21 to 17

  30. S.Scott says:

    Passed 21 – 17 ugh

  31. firemancarl says:

    Great, now what?

  32. S.Scott says:

    ??????

  33. firemancarl says:

    What I mean is, where does it go from here? Is it “in the books” now or is there another vote in the house comming up?

  34. firemancarl says:

    Suppose the house bill gets defeated, what then?

  35. S.Scott says:

    Brandon said the House bill is at the second reading stage.

  36. Green Earth says:

    Call or write to Gov. Crist, ultimately he has to sign it

  37. Green Earth says:

    I guess it’s time to call reps

  38. S.Scott says:

    Also, I believe the House and Senate need to come together on the wording of the bill. That’s what Storms was trying to do with her amendment that failed.

  39. Guest says:

    To all the high school kids watching this post.

    Here is the cheat sheet for all of your upcoming science classes.

    Question: Any of the test questions on your test.

    Answer: God did it, and he didn’t want us to understand it.

    Guaranteed 100% on all of your science tests.

    To the rest of the watchers of this post, I am sorry for the sarcasm, but this is just very dissapointing and frustrating.

  40. S.Scott says:

    This is not over yet.

  41. Green Earth says:

    I’m physically sick, I’m about to cry

  42. Pete Dunkelberg says:

    Amendment failed?? I have been following the video. So we still have different bills? Please confirm!

  43. S.Scott says:

    The amendment failed. That’s what I saw.

  44. Pete Dunkelberg says:

    21 – 17 means not all party line. Who voted Nay? Or can you tell?

  45. S.Scott says:

    I didn’t see the board, sorry 🙁

  46. firemancarl says:

    Wait, i thought it passed 21-17. How many votes did it need to pass?

  47. Green Earth says:

    If you look at the flsenate.gov site, under the bill 2962 you can see vote history

  48. S.Scott says:

    I may be wrong but what I understand that happened was that the amendment failed but the bill passed

  49. Guest says:

    Now I’m confused, did the bill pass or fail?

  50. S.Scott says:

    passed the with the ORIGINAL wording. (But I may be wrong)

  51. S.Scott says:

    Storms, today, wanted to MATCH her bill to the House bill…

    That didn’t happen, but the original wording of her bill is still in tact.

    I think! LoL!

  52. Pete Dunkelberg says:

    Gradebook has it.

    http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2008/04/evolution-acade.html

    http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu=1&FT=D&File=session/2008/Senate/bills/votes/html/SSB26920423080006.html

    April 23, 2008
    “Evolution Academic Freedom” bill passes Senate

    The Florida Senate has approved legislation that would allow public school teachers “to objectively present scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific views regarding chemical and biological evolution.” The 21-17 vote showed most Democrats opposed and most Republicans in favor.

    GOP senators Paula Dockery of Lakeland, Dennis Jones of Seminole, Jim King of Jacksonville and Mike Bennett of Bradenton voted no. Democrat Gary Siplin of Orlando voted yes.

    The Senate version of this legislation differs from the House version, which has yet to win final approval. Storms introduced an amendment to make them the same, but it failed on voice vote.

  53. S.Scott says:

    Somebody jump in if you saw differently – I think the House and Senate still need to come together on the wording of a bill, vote on it before it goes to the Governor.

  54. Pete Dunkelberg says:

    So we live in interesting times. Science education in Florida will continue to be exciting if not for the best of reasons. I do not think a majority of Floridians want creationism taught.

  55. S.Scott says:

    Thanks Pete!

  56. James F says:

    I walk away for a while and all heck breaks loose.

    It’s cold comfort that at least some of the Republicans are seeing through this tactic – Sen. Dockery in particular, since she’s the majority whip. I’m going to thank those who opposed the bill but especially these GOP senate members – I’ll send them some snippets from Chares Krauthammer and Dinesh D’Souza on ID too. Thanks for the info, Pete.

  57. S.Scott says:

    Senator Gellar was great today … where is he from?

  58. S.Scott says:

    Does anyone know if we missed the House second reading?

  59. Pete Dunkelberg says:

    Firemancarl, I don’t think your daughters’ future science education went down the drain. Other people’s daughters’ perhaps, but yours will be alerted to learn all the more.

  60. S.Scott says:

    Schools and Learning committee meeting at 12:45

  61. Green Earth says:

    Geller was great last week too!

  62. S.Scott says:

    I don’t see why they haven’t pointed to the new standards that ALREADY call for discussion, critique (sp?) etc… of science, and why they are stepping on the toes of the BoE.

  63. S.Scott says:

    Who wants to take bets that during this meeting at 12:45 – The Schools and Learning committee tries to amend their bill to make it match the Senates bill?

  64. Grafixer says:

    Not much consolence, but… This has happened before in other states. When it got to the Legislature, it stalled, and lost passage. We can still stall this nonsense in the Legislature. It is good that Storms did not get her ammendment. Will make it more difficult in the House – I think.
    It would be good if some science-based corporations weighed in with the Legislators. They need graduates with science education. “Good will do it” will not work for them in the field. Unbelievable. It is sad that our Senators don’t take the time to learn about bills before they vote on them. It is sad that these people are so willing led down a path by a small group of religious extremists.
    If Senators voted in favor in order to get votes for themselves, they will soon learn that they have lost far more than they have gained. Crist wants to run for Vice President? If he lets this pass, he will likely be laughed out of the running. If he does run (to help McCain gain the extremists’ votes), can you imagine what fodder this will give to the Dems between now and November? It will be fun to watch!
    Another embarrassing day for Florida. Another sad day for education.

  65. Grafixer says:

    “God will do it.” was meant above. Dangit.

  66. Green Earth says:

    It seems the constitution means nothing to these people

  67. firemancarl says:

    Firemancarl, I don’t think your daughters’ future science education went down the drain. Other people’s daughters’ perhaps, but yours will be alerted to learn all the more.

    Thanks Pete,

    My concern is that some fundie could wind up teaching them. I could see both of my girls ( 5 & 7 ) ripping him/her a new one.

    Gosh, who’d a thought we’d out dumb Alabama & Arkansas ?

  68. James F says:

    firemancarl – Who was comparing soda can tops to evolution? And how? This is a new one – it astounds me when people use inanimate objects to describe evolution.

  69. Jonathan Smith says:

    I have just spoken with senator Paula Dockery of Lakelands office (my home town) and thanked them for thier support.

  70. S.Scott says:

    I’m happy to report that there will be no amendment proposed to match the Senate bill today. Wasan’t even discussed.

  71. PatrickHenry says:

    According to the Miami Herald:
    http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/506697.html

    ” A bill that would let teachers challenge evolution with “scientific information” has passed in the Florida Senate.

    Opponents charged in debate Wednesday that it would allow the teaching of intelligent design or other religious theories they say masquerade as science.

    […]

    It passed 21-17 and now goes to the House. That chamber is considering a version of the bill that would not just permit but require teachers to present “critical analysis” of the theory of evolution.”

    After I read that, I blogged it with this headline:
    “Florida Senate Goes Insane!”

  72. Captdave says:

    Well, now that I’ve attended to mopping my lunch up off the floor; I did the math of the House . . . It’s 77 Republicans and 43 Democrats.   😥

    I’ll be skipping over any hope of influencing that august body. If Gov. Christ vetoes the final compromise bill that reaches his desk, the Senate vote today was good news, in that the two-thirds vote required for override is not there.

  73. Rep Monitor says:

    Wow you monitor us, we monitor you ! 🙂

  74. Paul R says:

    Please consider signing my petition to Speaker Rubio which opposes HB 1483 – now that 2692 has passed you can be sure that a Rep. will introduce another strike-all to replace language to make it look just like SB 2692 so they can go to the Governor with it. Call your representative and demand they do a CRITICAL ANALYSIS of this bill, or at least read their own staff reports! I will deliver my petition to Speaker Rubio next week, once again, hopefully with over 200 signatures, if that means anything. Oh, yeah, call your representative again – you may get a different staffer! And thank your senator if they voted “Nay” today!

    http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/flhouse-science/

    Bye for now…Paul R (the other one, the one who is a framer/writer)

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