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Texas Democrats Dig in After Exodus; GOP Threatens Arrest

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Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, center left, and Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, joined at left by Rep. Chris Turner, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, welcome Democratic members of the Texas legislature at a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The lawmakers left Austin hoping to deprive the Texas Legislature of a quorum — the minimum number of representatives who have to be present for the body to operate, as they try to kill a Republican bill making it harder to vote in the Lone Star State. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats who hurriedly took off to Washington to block sweeping new election laws urged Congress on Tuesday to quickly pass legislation protecting voting rights, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened them with arrest the moment they return.

Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol, the Democrats were realistic about the limits of their gambit, noting they can hold up the GOP-backed proposals at home for only so long and arguing that only federal legislation would prevent some of the new restrictions from becoming law. In Austin, House Republicans authorized state troopers to find and corral missing legislators.

“We can’t hold this tide back forever. We’re buying some time. We need Congress and all of our federal leaders to use that time wisely,” Democratic state Rep. Chris Turner said, gathered with his fellow quorum-breakers outside the U.S. Capitol.

The Democrats’ dramatic exodus to Washington was in part aimed at rallying their voters on what they see as a priority issue ahead of the 2022 midterms, and at pressuring President Joe Biden to act as a federal voting legislation has stalled for months in the Senate.

Back home, Republicans in the unusually skeletal Texas Capitol authorized finding and bringing back more than 50 lawmakers “under warrant of arrest if necessary.” However, state troopers have no jurisdiction beyond Texas, making it unclear what — if any — actions would immediately be taken. A House Democrat who stayed behind said his understanding was that officers would search for his absent colleagues in Texas, even if it’s known they’re in Washington.

Abbott has already threatened Democrats with arrest once they come back home, which may not be until the current 30-day special session ends in August. Though that would successfully stymie the GOP’s current effort, Abbott has vowed to keep trying until the 2022 elections if necessary.

Turner, the Texas House Democratic leader, predicted the Texas Democrats’ efforts would ultimately be futile unless congressional Democrats take bolder action to overcome a Senate Republican blockade of their sweeping voting bill. The legislation, known as the For the People Act, would create national standards for voting that could roll back some restrictions that have been approved or are advancing in the Republican-led states.

The move by Texas House Republicans was expected after Democrats boarded private planes Monday to deny them the quorum necessary to conduct business — namely, passing one of America’s most restrictive voting measures. Other lighting-rod conservative issues that Abbott put on the agenda — including how race is taught in schools and new abortion restrictions — also were shelved with the Legislature now at a standstill.

“A sergeant-at-arms and any officers appointed by him are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused, for the purpose of securing and maintaining their attendance, by warrant of arrest if necessary,” Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan said.

Shortly after the vote, sergeant-at-arms locked the chamber doors. Four Democrats who did not go to Washington were among the lawmakers still inside, while the voting mechanisms on the desks of absent Democrats were locked.

A spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, which oversees state troopers and the Texas Rangers, did not comment after the remaining House members approved the measure 76-4.

State Rep. Eddie Morales, one of four Democrats who stayed behind, said it was his understanding that troopers would not leave Texas.

“I was told they will go to your home back in your district, they will go to your place of work, they will got to your apartment in Austin or wherever you live close by when you’re in session. And also family and friends that they may know of,” he said.

Despite the exodus by Democrats, Abbott has said Republicans will not be deterred.

“As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done,” Abbott told Austin television station KVUE.

It was the second time that Democratic lawmakers have staged a walkout over the voting overhaul, which they say will make it harder for young people, people of color and people with disabilities to vote. The legislation would outlaw 24-hour polling places, ban drop boxes for mail ballots and empower partisan poll watchers. Republicans say the measures are needed to fight fraud. Democrats counter that fraud is very rare and the bills target their supporters.

The measures are part of the GOP’s rush to enact new voting restrictions in response to former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. More than a dozen states this year have already passed tougher election laws — but only in Texas have Democrats put up this kind of fight.

The state has a history of attention-getting political tactics. Democrats, shut out of power in the Texas Capitol for decades, last left the state in 2003 to thwart a redistricting plan. That year, troopers went to Ardmore, Oklahoma, and asked them to come home on a plane sent by the Republican House speaker. But they were unable to arrest the lawmakers without a warrant issued by Oklahoma authorities, and the lawmakers refused the troopers’ request.

Democrats ultimately lost that fight, with the GOP passing new voting maps.

Politics

Senator Osgood & Rep. Rosenwald Push Bill to Close Racial Gaps in Mental Health & Addiction Treatment

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senator Rosalind Osgood (D-Broward County) and Representative Mitch Rosenwald (D-Broward County) have introduced a new bill aimed at reducing racial and ethnic disparities in mental health and substance abuse treatment across Florida. The legislation strengthens the state’s Closing the Gap grant program by expanding its scope to prioritize initiatives that address inequities in behavioral health care.

“Communities of color have long struggled with systemic barriers to mental health and substance abuse services,” said Senator Osgood. “This bill ensures that we take direct action by funding programs that support those most affected by these disparities.”

The proposed amendment to Section 381.7355, Florida Statutes, will explicitly recognize racial and ethnic disparities in mental health and substance use disorder rates as funding priorities. It will also mandate that grant funding be directed toward regions with the most significant gaps in access to care.

Representative Rosenwald emphasized the bill’s potential impact on health equity. “Black and brown communities experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, often due to systemic barriers,” he said. “By including ‘behavioral health and substance abuse’ as eligible grant categories, this bill will help direct vital resources to providers serving the most vulnerable populations.”

Impact of the Bill

If passed, the legislation will take effect on July 1, 2025, marking a significant step in Florida’s broader efforts to address health disparities. By prioritizing mental health and addiction services for underserved communities, the bill could lead to improved access to treatment, reduced hospitalization rates, and better long-term health outcomes. This measure builds upon previous efforts to combat disparities in maternal health, chronic disease, and social determinants of health.

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Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Protects Civil Rights and Merit-Based Opportunity by Ending Illegal DEI

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THE WHITE HOUSE – Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an historic Executive Order that protects the civil rights of all Americans and expands individual opportunity by terminating radical DEI preferencing in federal contracting and directing federal agencies to relentlessly combat private sector discrimination. It enforces long-standing federal statutes and faithfully advances the Constitution’s promise of colorblind equality before the law. This comprehensive order is the most important federal civil rights measure in decades:

  • It terminates “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) discrimination in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending.
    • Federal hiring, promotions, and performance reviews will reward individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work and not, under any circumstances, DEI-related factors, goals, policies, mandates, or requirements.
  • The order requires OMB to streamline the federal contracting process to enhance speed and efficiency, reduce costs, and require Federal contractors and subcontractors to comply with our civil rights laws.
    • It revokes Executive Order 11246 contracting criteria mandating affirmative action
    • It bars the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs from pushing contractors to balance their workforce based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, or religion.
    • It requires simple and unmistakable affirmation that contractors will not engage in illegal discrimination, including illegal DEI.
  • It directs all departments and agencies to take strong action to end private sector DEI discrimination, including civil compliance investigations.
  • It mandates the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education issue joint guidance regarding the measures and practices required to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.

RESTORING THE VALUES OF INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY, HARD WORK, AND EXCELLENCE: Individual dignity, hard work, and excellence are fundamental to American greatness. This Executive Order reaffirms these values by ending the Biden-Harris Administration’s anti-constitutional and deeply demeaning “equity” mandates, terminating DEI, and protecting civil rights:

  • Reversing the progress made in the decades since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 toward a colorblind and competence-based workplace, radical DEI has dangerously tainted many of our critical businesses and influential institutions, including the federal government.
  • In the private sector, many corporations and universities use DEI as an excuse for biased and unlawful employment practices and illegal admissions preferences, ignoring the fact that DEI’s foundational rhetoric and ideas foster intergroup hostility and authoritarianism.
    • Billions of dollars are spent annually on DEI, but rather than reducing bias and promoting inclusion, DEI creates and then amplifies prejudicial hostility and exacerbates interpersonal conflict.

PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMISED AND DELIVERED: President Trump promised to terminate DEI in the federal government, protect equal opportunity, and force schools to end discriminatory admissions policies, and he delivered.

  • Every man and woman should have the opportunity to go as far as their hard work, individual initiative, and competence can take them. In America, excellence, grit, and determination is our strength.

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Monique Worrell’s Triumphant Return as State Attorney Celebrated at Orlando MLK Parade

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State Attorney Monique Worrell Receives Overwhelming Support at 2025 Orlando MLK Parade, Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J Willie David, III

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The streets of Downtown Orlando were alive with celebration as the 41st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade unfolded along Orange Avenue. Among the procession of floats, marching bands, and community groups, Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Monique Worrell stood out as a beloved figure, earning cheers and adoration from attendees.

State Attorney Monique Worrell visibly moved by community support at the 41st Orlando MLK Parade, Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J Willie David, III

Worrell’s appearance at the parade felt like a victory walk as she received enthusiastic applause, countless handshakes, and heartfelt hugs from parade-goers. Many described her as “the people’s State Attorney,” a sentiment visibly etched on Worrell’s face as she smiled and engaged with the community.

MLK Parade attendees gathered in Downtown Orlando on Saturday, January 18, 2025, to support Monique Worrell’s return as State Attorney. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III.

The outpouring of support came on the heels of Worrell’s remarkable political comeback. In the 2024 election, Worrell defeated Andrew Bain, who was appointed as State Attorney by Governor Ron DeSantis after her controversial suspension in 2023. Worrell’s re-election was a powerful statement from voters who stood by her leadership. She was officially sworn in on January 7, 2025, reclaiming her role with renewed determination.

State Attorney Monique Worrell’s Chief of Staff, Keisha Mulfort, smiles during the 2025 MLK Parade as the duo returns to the State Attorney’s Office to ensure the safety of Orange and Osceola County citizens on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III.

Worrell’s presence at the MLK Parade carried a symbolic resonance. The event, held in honor of Dr. King’s legacy of justice and equality, paralleled Worrell’s fight to return to office and her commitment to justice for all. Her supporters praised her resilience and unwavering dedication to the community.

“Monique Worrell represents what leadership should look like,” said one attendee. “She stands up for the people and fights for what’s right, no matter the obstacles.”

The MLK Parade served not only as a celebration of Dr. King’s impact but also as a moment of triumph and unity for Worrell and her constituents.

__________________________________________________________________________-

J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

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