Renner vows to ‘win’ battle to protect children as legislature convenes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, delivered remarks Tuesday vowing to “win” the battle to protect children as he outlined priorities for the 2024 Legislative Session.

Renner said this legislative session, lawmakers will “continue our work to help every Floridian reach their full potential and make Florida the envy of the nation today and for years to come.”

He said he appreciates Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, for “her leadership and thoughtfulness on the big issues facing our state.”

Renner said children are facing “daily threats to their mental health that even the most involved parents struggle to confront.”

He said social media “has changed the game” and causes “unprecedented damage to children’s mental health.”

Going forward, Renner said the legislature must take “bold steps” like age verification to “rescue our children from technology that cripples their sense of self-worth and purpose.”

Similarly, where pornography is concerned, Renner said “the rules for adults cannot be the same for children.”

He said leaders “cannot stand by and allow children to access hardcore pornography,” and that they “plan to do something about it.”

“Call it a culture war if you want, but it is another battle to defend common sense against those who want to obliterate the distinction between adulthood and childhood. It’s a battle we intend to win,” Renner said.

Balanced budget, amendments on agenda

Renner said lawmakers will vote to reaffirm Florida’s support for imposing term limits and a balanced budget on the federal government.

He said these are “changes that are needed to save our country.”

“The federal government completely lacks fiscal discipline, and national financial collapse is certain unless we change direction by enacting clear, constitutional spending limits,” Renner said.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution sets the process by which states can propose amendments. 

Keeping Floridians Safe

This Session, Renner said they will continue the commitment to “keeping Floridians safe.”

This includes “empowering law enforcement to combat human trafficking, punishing flash mobs that target retailers, and taking a hard line against juveniles who steal guns and use them to commit crimes.”

He said they will extend penalties for anyone who commits violence against law enforcement and bring an end to citizen review boards that are “weaponized by defund-the-police activists.”

Health care

Renner said an important issue is health care, including mental health. He said the goal is to bring greater transparency to the price and quality of health care. 

Passidomo previously outlined the importance of this topic as part of her goal for session.

“We will look for ways patients can save money using that information. And we will remove protectionist barriers so healthcare professionals from outside Florida can move here, relieving critical shortages and providing more healthcare access to Floridians,” Renner said.

Renner said the House will support the Senate’s proposal for a teaching hospital to help those facing severe mental illness.

He said House members have proposed Baker Act reforms that lead to “meaningful treatment” and propose new solutions to homelessness “for which mental health is often a cause.”

Renner noted that new initiatives to improve health care can be funded, including mental health, but “only if we restrain spending elsewhere.”

“This means we must eliminate what remains of corporate welfare, avoid taking on new debt, and lower discretionary spending across the board. We must also build a budget that can withstand economic downturn tomorrow while protecting essential services,” Renner said.

Focusing on students

Renner said for schools that “refuse to follow common-sense steps like locking their doors,” lawmakers will pass new measures to “protect our children.”

He said this session, they will ensure “adequate funding” for students with unique abilities and a “more efficient system” for parents and students who embrace educational freedom.

He also vowed to give students greater support to reach grade level in the critical subjects of reading and math.

Antisemitism

During his speech, Renner noted a “new threat” to public safety is the “dangerous explosion of antisemitism.”

He sent correspondence to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement requesting the formation of a special task force to “investigate and prosecute antisemitic acts in our state.”

Renner said Holocaust survivor David Schaecter warned lawmakers that “intimidation, if left unchecked, leads to open violence.”

Schaecter spoke during the last special session giving testimony on a bill to support Jewish nonprofits, as previously reported by Florida’s Voice.

Schaecter previously said he believes antisemitism is “rampant” and pleaded to lawmakers to “take action.”

Renner said they must “all speak and act with moral clarity now against those who give aid and comfort to groups who advocate a new Holocaust.”

“In Florida, we will say clearly, “Never, never again!” Renner said.

Infrastructure

Renner said Florida’s long-term infrastructure needs far exceed current funding. 

He said in collaboration with the Senate, they will commit new funds from the Seminole Compact to “support Florida’s environmental infrastructure and protect our natural resources for the future.”