Prevent Florida State Senator James King From Blocking Terr's Law

October 20, 2003 | nickcarraway

[nickcarraway]

Florida Governor Jeb Bush is finally pursuing a course to save the life of Terri Schiavo. Governor Bush is calling a special session of the Florida legislatureon Monday to pass legislation that he worked on with Florida Speaker of the House Johnnie Byrd. ``Terri's Bill'' would immediately suspend all dehydration and starvation deaths in the state.

LifeNews.com, however is reporting that one man is the greatest obstacle to this happening, Florida Senate President Jim King, the man who controls the state Senate's agenda.

It's obviously important that we contact all state representatives, Senators, and other parties, but it is absolutely critical we put the pressure on Senator King!

Senator James E. "Jim" King, Jr.is the state Senator from Florida's district 8, which covers parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Especially if you live in his district, please call him and tell him that he needs to listen to Governor Bush and Speaker Byrd and put this on the agenda tomorrow. Tell him you think this bill needs to be passed ASAP. And call any relatives or friends you have who live in that district to call (or email) him. Right now, he may be the one person with the most power to stop this bill. Let's let him know it needs to get passed. He needs some serious Freeping!

You can read more about this on these threads:

Florida Legislature Plans Special Session That May Help Terri Schiavo

Speaker of the House, Johnnie Byrd to introduce “Terri’s Bill”

LIVE FROM TERRI'S VIGIL - EMERGENCY - LEGISLATIVE SESSION - CALL FLORIDA REPS NOW!!

PLEASE HELP TERRI - A BILL IS BEING INTRODUCED TOMORROW

[Ohioan from Florida]

I'm just catching up on this , too. Ping me, please, if you hear anything. I have to be in and out for the rest of the day.

[Florida Mama]

They did not mention the bill, Mr Byrds office told me that they will be in session all week, and that just because it wasnt heard today doesnt mean it wont be brought up later (thanks for the compassion). He also said that Mr. Byrd would be in support of such a bill but did not say he would bring the bill up.. That "in passing", Mr. Byrd said he would support such a bill if it were ever to be placed on the floor of the senate.

Thats what was told to me by Mr. Byrds assistant
1-850-488-1450
His email is SpeakerByrd@myfloridahouse.com

Heathe

[Theodore R.]

Any bill, Lakey, would have to be approved by the FL House AND Senate. I don't think there will be a bill. I think someone was engaged in hopeful thinking. There may be a break with this Judge Moore, but the time is running out FAST. Can one imagine no food or water for five days? It's impossible to fathom.

[Florida Mama]

Any bill, Lakey, would have to be approved by the FL House AND Senate. I don't think there will be a bill
~~~~~~
not only that, I was told by Senator Kings office that any such bill would not be retroactive and would not apply to Terri's situation.

Heather

[sfRummygirl]

Is King the obstacle, or Byrd?

[atruelady]

I don't know. I am at work. I hope Jeb didn't say he would do something and then give the family false hope.

[sfRummygirl]

More proof that Jeb should have done this years ago.

[sfRummygirl]

Ok, folks I gotta run out too. I will check up in about 3 hours....

[MarMema]

Maybe they didn't realize it is getting all over the internet about his "conflict of interest" in this killing.

Oh no, I can guarantee you that she knew about that.

[syriacus]

They would have heard it if it was possible a crime was being committed.

We only wish.

Unfortunately, the legal system in Florida is far from perfect.

  Unlicensed doctors elude law's sharpened scalpel

In 2000, [Mike} Fasano and other legislators established a one-year mandatory minimum incarceration for anyone convicted of the unlicensed practice of a healthcare profession, which covers medicine and dentistry. The law also made longer prison terms possible.....

A Herald review of 15 cases that were closed since the new law took effect showed that not one perpetrator got the mandatory minimum of one year's imprisonment.

Campus Rape Ignored . . . . . Even When There's a Videotape

I have to go now, but I'll be glad to look up more cases of legal injustice after Terri's case is resolved.

[Florida Mama]

Honestly,
I think there is a whole heck of a lot of running around the bush going on right now.. (no pun inteneded really)

Every office I Called told me how sympathetic they were to the situation, how sorry they were for Terris cause, and how if they could change the law they would, but there hands are tied.

I was mostly amused tho, by Mr Byrds office, telling me that " Sessions will be going on all week, so just because it wasnt mentioned today, doesnt mean it wont be mentioned"...

Senator Kings office was very friendly and very willing to talk to me in length regarding the supposed bill. According to them, there is no such bill because it would not be constitutional, and it would not be retroactive, so it wouldnt effect Terri anyways.

Heres my take on what happend... Mr. Byrd, in passing made a comment to someone of how he would support such a bill if it were to be presented, and someone clung to that hope. I dont blame anyone for doing that, but according to his office, he never said he was going to present such a bill, just that he would support such a bill.

This is truly a sad sad situation. I encourage you all to call these offices and ask the same question I did.. a very simple question... "what can you tell me about Terris Bill"

Speaker of the house (Mr Byrd) 1-850-488-1450
ASK TO SPEAK TO HIS ASSISTANT
SpeakerByrd@myfloridahouse.com
Clerks office 1-850-488-1157

[tutstar]

she said he is? I told her it said so on his webpage and she pulled it up and said yes it says so on his webpage....

almost laughable....incompetence? well....

[Don Joe]

Who are you talking about? Sheryl?

I was just musing. Consider it an open letter to anyone who believes that crap (the crap I used as a foundation to build my logical structure atop, to demonstrate the flawed logic. Argumentum ad absurdium, or however you spell that).

Feel free to use it, but I'd appreciate an attribution w/link to the original message if you do, thanks. (hey, I'm a writer, it's what I do. ;) )

[lakey]

King hasn't missed any meals. He is a sausage and needs to be pricked so we can all see the grease run out.

[MarMema]

No I meant that she knew *something* about him being negative or having a conflict of interest was circulating bigtime (and making her day miserable)....but come to think of it. I did ask her if he had introduced death with dignity and she seemed confused about it then.

[atruelady]

I see. Good one. I am at work and I am not near a TV. No one can find out what is going on. Surely they came back from lunch already.

[Theodore R.]

Well, we did everything the Republicans told us we should do, and what have we gotten -- a "dog and pony show" in the FL "Republican" legislature. A total waste of energy. Now I understand why half the people do NOT vote!

[MarMema]

Well, looks like the weather here is perfect for the rest of this day - rainy, overcast, and gloomy.

[Ohioan from Florida]

How lovely! Call it "Terri' Bill" in her honor, but don't bother honoring her by letting it apply to her! I just love politicians!

[lakey]

Apparently, my e-mails were directed to the House. Am receiving auto responses.