Miami Herald by Lawrence Mower Herald
January 22, 2020
TALLAHASSEE
A Florida Senate committee on Tuesday advanced along party lines a bill that would make secret basic details about state lawmakers and their spouses.
Senate Bill 832 would give lawmakers and Cabinet members the same level of secrecy granted to police officers and judges, making their home addresses, telephone numbers and dates of birth private.
Under the bill, the personal information and places of employment of their spouses and children would be exempt. So, too, would be information that lawmakers don’t disclose when they run for office, such as the names and locations of the schools their children attend.
Four Republicans voted for and three Democrats voted against the bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland. She said the exemption was needed because of threats made to lawmakers, but she didn’t cite any Florida examples.