Senate committee united to boost security for Jewish schools, nonprofits ‘at risk’ for hate crimes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, Florida senators have united to support more money for security efforts for Jewish nonprofits “at risk” for hate crimes.
The Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy passed a bill unanimously through its first committee during the first day of the special session Monday. Lawmakers entered a special session to tackle multiple bills on topics like disaster relief, sanctions on Iran, support for Israel and more.
The bill appropriates $35 million for security efforts that will “support Jewish temples, day schools, and other nonprofit entities at risk for hate crimes.”
Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami, is carrying the legislation in the senate and Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, is sponsoring an identical bill in the House.
“This week, together, we endeavor to make Florida the second safest place in the world for the Jewish people, to live their lives in peace, and to raise their children in peace,” Calatayud said.
Calatayud said since the Oct. 7 massacre, “anti-semitic acts of intimidation” and “violence in the United States” have escalated over 400%.
WATCH: Sen. @AlexisMCalatayu introduces bill to fund security efforts for Jewish temples, day schools, and other nonprofit entities at risk for hate crimes
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) November 6, 2023
"We endeavor to make Florida the second safest place in the world for the Jewish people." pic.twitter.com/hlYooGO8WC
“The Florida Legislature is stepping up to protect Florida’s Jews,” Fine said previously.
The legislation builds on legislation Calatayud sponsored during the 2023 regular session to “assist nonprofits at risk for hate crimes with enhanced security.”
The Florida State Nonprofit Security Grant Program will enhance physical security measures and develop a comprehensive approach to securing houses of worship, schools, museums, community centers and nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks or hate crimes due to ideology, belief or mission.
During debate, Sen. Rosalind Osgood, D-Tamarac, said she would be supporting the legislation and thanked Calatayud for carrying the bill.
“I am extremely sad about the conversations we now have to have with our children and trying to give them hope and safety as they go to school. It’s just not a place that we should be at,” Osgood said.
Osgood said she has “hope” and believes “when we stand together consistently against hate, we send a resounding message as human beings.”
She said “we have to continue to push to love, to show love, respect, and appreciation for each other.”
David Shaecter, a 94-year-old holocaust survivor, and longtime resident of Miami-Dade County spoke in support of the legislation during public comment.
Shaecter gave a powerful testimony about his experience and pleaded to lawmakers to “take action.”
“I urge you all to stand with me and to view the world from my eyes, as someone who watched marches and protests in Europe lead to gas chambers and mass graves,” Shaecter said.
Shaecter said he watched his mother hold his two little sister’s hands as they were “made to walk downhill and at the bottom of the hill, were two mega holes in the ground…”
“I am here to tell you that our world needs to needs a rude awakening,” Shaecter said.
Shaecter believes demonstrations and racial protests “progress quickly” to “hate crimes and violent anti semitism.”
Right now across America, Shaecter believes anti-semitism is “rampant.”
Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, commended Shaecter along with the members of the public who spoke during public comment and said “this is a very troubling time to be Jewish in the world right now.”
During the special session, Berman is sponsoring a resolution that will “express support for the State of Israel and condemn the attacks and hateful actions by the Hamas terrorist group.”
In closing, Calatayud thanked the committee for their support.
The proposal also makes clarifications to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program within the Division of Emergency management.
Some clarifications include allowing schools and museums to apply for a grant and allowing grants to be used for purchasing and installing materials for door hardening.
The bill also amends a provision to remove the prohibition on receiving both a state and federal grant. It also directs the division to establish eligibility criteria based on the federal grant program.
Another provision will be amended to prioritize applications for houses of worship or facilities that are frequented by children or students on a daily basis.
The proposal appropriates $10 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to implement the program.
There will be $5 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Education to provide grants for hardening full-time Jewish day schools and Jewish preschools.
The highest amount is $20 million to the Department of Education for grants for nonhardening security measures to full-time Jewish day schools and Jewish preschools.
If passed, the bill will be effective upon becoming a law.
The House version is in committee Monday afternoon.
