House Jewish security bill bumps funding to $45 million

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House passed a bill 109-0 to increase security for educational institutions “at risk” for hate crimes across the state, particularly in regard to Jewish day schools, on Tuesday.

“HB 7-C would provide $45 million in emergency funding to protect various groups of people,” said Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, the sponsor of the bill, on the House floor.

Fine said the first part puts $20 million into a program ran by the Florida Department of Emergency Management.

“It would be eligible to Jewish institutions and others that can demonstrate an elevated threat level,” he said.

“The other half of the bill is $25 million available for Jewish day schools for both their operations and hardening, given what has happened since Oct. 7,” he added.

A House committee voted to increase funding in the originally filed bill from $35 million to $45 million Monday. A Senate committee voted Monday for their version of the bill that would provide $35 million for security purposes.

Fine expressed his emotion connection to the bill as the only Jewish member of the House’s majority party.

“I think it’s unfortunate we have to have a bill like this,” he said. “I mean, keep in mind, we’re going to allocate $45 million. It’s not going to help a single kid learn how to read, or do math or learn history. It’s going to be to keep children safe.”

Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, and Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, spoke in favor of the bill in relation to how it has the ability to protect Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“I will tell you that our HBCU’s in particular have been working very hard with the Department of Homeland Security to conduct risk assessments and to understand wheee there are holes and gaps in security on their campuses,” Driskell said.