Two amendments in HB 1143 are classic examples of how bad legislation gets passed in the Florida Legislature.
They were taken up by House Republicans at literally the 11th hour of the session, without benefit of committee hearings, expert testimony, staff analysis or time for public comment.
The amendments, which deal with abortion, are based not on science or even fact, but, rather, ideology. Because of these flaws, Gov. Crist should veto HB 1143.
The poison amendments, if signed into law, will bring a slew of lawsuits upon the state, using precious tax dollars for a legal defense that could far better be spent on law enforcement or beefing up underfunded programs for children and elders.
One amendment would require a woman seeking an abortion in the first trimester to submit to and pay for an ultrasound, even though her doctor doesn't consider it necessary. She must either look at the image or listen to a description of it by her doctor.
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