ST PETERSBURG -- City Council members, fearful about their funding and possibly their jobs, voted down a proposal to give $50,000 to an abortion travel fund.
Florida lawmakers have threatened to cut off state funding to the city if it gave money to a fund to help women get out of state to have abortions, sending a letter to the city. Council member Lisset Hanewicz, insisting that she supported reproductive rights, voted no after expressing the fear that Governor DeSantis would remove her and other council members from office. "I'm sure (suspended Hillsborough State Attorney) Andrew Warren felt comfortable when he made his decision (to sign a statement that about prosecuting abortion cases) and then it went to a federal judge, and he lost."
Fellow council member John Muhammad expressed similar fears, comparing the situation to the Jim Crow era when the state of Florida openly supported segregation. He said that he often pushed for "boldness" as an ordinary citizen, but it felt different sitting on council.
Other council members expressed different concerns. Copley Gerdes said that the funding would make a private decision public. The vote was 6-2 against, with only Richie Floyd, who proposed the motion, and Deborah Figgs-Sanders voting yes.
During public comment, supporters called on the council to back reproductive rights, while opponents said it was wrong to force them to support abortions with their taxes.
Photo: St Pete TV