The Washington Independent

Posts by Ashley Lopez

Right-wing think tank leaks salaries of Florida public employees via new website

The Foundation for Government Accountability debuted a new website Monday — an online database of the salaries of Florida’s public employees: FloridaOpenGov.org.

New Florida bill would outlaw gender- and race-based abortions

With the beginning of session only days away, Florida legislators have been busy filing a slew of anti-abortion bills. Add yet another to the list: a measure outlawing race- and gender-based abortions. The bill was filed by state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood.

Florida bipartisan bill would impose privacy regulations on anti-abortion pregnancy centers

Two state lawmakers — one Democrat, one Republican — have come together to file legislation that would require pregnancy resource centers, or crisis pregnancy centers, to protect the private medical information of women who visit them.

Guttmacher: Record-setting number of anti-abortion measures introduced in 2011

The Guttmacher Institute reports that a record-setting “1,100 reproductive health and rights-related provisions” were introduced by state legislators nationwide in 2011. The legislation that was eventually enacted resulted in 92 anti-abortion measures, specifically, in 24 states.

New Florida bill would make performing abortions a felony

Last week, Florida state Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Palatka, followed through on his announcement that he would bring back a bill that bans abortion in the state of Florida, providing only an exception to save the life of the

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Florida legislator wants to make January a celebration of anti-abortion pregnancy centers

Florida state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would make January 2012 ”Pregnancy Resource Center Month.”

Report: Morning after pill not always available to women 17 and older

In the wake of the federal government’s decision to overrule the FDA’s request to expand access to over-the-counter emergency contraception to women under the age of 17, a new report shows that even some women 17 and older are unable to obtain the morning after pill when they need it.

House Dems introduce resolution condemning Allen West’s Goebbels comment

Democratic members of the U.S. House have introduced a resolution condemning remarks made last week by Rep. Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale.

Florida Family Research Council affiliate asks for help funding ‘aggressive’ 2012 plan

The leader of a politically influential Florida group that frequently advocates against LGBT and abortion rights has issued a new fundraising pitch to help gin up support for the work of its “Ignite an Enduring Cultural Transformation” campaign during the Sunshine State’s upcoming legislative session.

Supreme Court hearings in Affordable Care Act case to begin in March

The Supreme Court announced today that its hearings in the lawsuit challenging the new federal health care reform law will begin on March 26 and will last three days.