Social conservatives see their issues fall by GOP's wayside

The Christian Coalition is upset that lawmakers aren't promoting school prayer and abortion restrictions.

By DIANE RADO

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 1, 1999

TALLAHASSEE -- Social conservatives were expecting a banner year in the Republican-run Legislature. With a Republican also in the Governor's Mansion, they figured the state House and Senate would deliver laws to allow school prayer and restrict abortion.

But midway through the two-month session, key legislation pushed by the groups has stalled, and confusion and frustration have set in.

"We're all struggling to make sense of it all," said John Dowless, executive director of the Christian Coalition of Florida.

This week, he watched bills to restrict abortion and allow school prayer -- both centerpieces in the Christian Coalition's agenda this session -- get stuck in legislative committees.

"At this point, we're scrambling to save them," Dowless said. He is alerting supporters around Florida to start calling lawmakers.

"We're not giving up, I can tell you that," Dowless said. "But does it look difficult? Yes. Does it look not very encouraging? Yes."

Others remain optimistic that the Legislature won't let them down.

Carole Griffin, legislative director for the Eagle Forum in Florida, said conservative groups such as hers "worked so hard to get Republicans in (office). I cannot imagine after all our groups did that they would not put them (bills to enact abortion restrictions) through."

One stumbling block for the conservatives is that Senate President Toni Jennings, House Speaker John Thrasher and Gov. Jeb Bush have not made abortion restrictions or school prayer a top priority this session.

"I think these are things he (Bush) would welcome, but not things he would be taking an active role in shepherding," said Michael McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference.

Asked about abortion restrictions and school prayer on Wednesday, Jennings said: "It will not be the focus of what we do but at some point, we will deal with those issues."

So far they haven't progressed very far.

The Senate Health, Aging and Long-Term Care Committee was scheduled to take up bills this week that would require parents to be notified when a minor seeks an abortion, ban a late-term procedure called a "partial-birth" abortion and tighten regulations at abortion clinics.

The so-called "partial-birth" abortion ban was the only bill that was discussed. And the vote was delayed after Senate Majority Leader Jack Latvala, R-Palm Harbor, raised the possibility that the legislation could be unconstitutional.

Griffin said supporters of abortion restrictions see the Senate committee as a roadblock because it is almost equally divided between lawmakers who oppose and support abortion rights. And key senators such as Latvala are considered "in the middle" on the issue -- meaning neither side can count on his vote.

Wednesday, a vote was postponed in the House Education K-12 Committee on a bill that would allow a "brief opening or closing message," which could include a prayer, at public school sporting events, graduations or non-mandatory student assemblies.

The postponement followed lengthy testimony from speakers for and against prayer at school events.

House Speaker Thrasher said the delay was appropriate because he wants to make sure lawmakers are comfortable that the bill is constitutional. The committee chairman, Rep. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, said he's not certain when he will reschedule a hearing on the bill.

"Is this one of my priorities this year? No it is not," conceded Diaz de la Portilla.

On another issue, conservatives were pleased when the House passed an education bill that would allow taxpayer dollars for private school tuition. That legislation still has to clear one more Senate committee and the full Senate before it goes to Bush for his signature.

The Christian Coalition also has fought to slow down a bill that would allow electronic slot machines at dog tracks.

With the session half over, though, lawmakers are weighing whether they want to take on politically dicey issues -- such as school prayer and abortion rights -- in a year when they will be able to boast about other accomplishments.

Speaking of the school prayer issue, Diaz de la Portilla said: "I don't think we should dedicate too much to time to an issue so divisive and so emotional."