Berny Jacques rallies with pro-life activists ahead of St. Petersburg council vote

By Amber Jo Cooper

Published Apr. 7, 2023, 1:42 p.m. ET | Updated Apr. 7, 2023

Rep. Berny Jacques at pro-life demonstration in St. Petersburg, Fla., April 6, 2023. (Photo/Berny Jacques, Twitter)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FLV) – Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, rallied with pro-life activists in St. Petersburg, urging the city council to reject a proposal that would have used taxpayer funds for out of state abortion travel.

Jacques said city council rejected the proposal with a 6-2 vote.

“I’m happy to announce the City Council did the right thing (6-2 vote) and rejected it! Many thanks to Rep. Mike Beltran, pro-life leaders Scott Mahurin and Corey Givens, my staff, and the countless citizens who reached out urging us to do something,” Jacques tweeted.

“I will always fight for the unborn, take on those who violate state law, and protect our taxpayers. God bless,” Jacques continued.

This morning, I stood with local pro-life activists for a rally and press conference urging the St. Pete City Council to reject a proposal that would have used taxpayer funds for out of state abortion travel. I’m happy to announce the City Council did the right thing (6-2 vote)… pic.twitter.com/eUZQgfL1Jf
— Berny Jacques (@BernyJacques) April 6, 2023

On Monday, the Florida Senate passed a six-week abortion ban, providing exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking.

The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, is titled the “Heartbeat Protection Act” and would still need approval from the House.

It will also prohibits any person, educational institution, and governmental entity from expending state funds for a person to travel to another state to receive services that are intended to support an abortion, unless such expenditure is required by federal law or there is a legitimate medical emergency.