Current:Home > FinanceFlorida sued for using taxpayer money on website promoting GOP spin on abortion initiative -Blueprint Money Mastery
Florida sued for using taxpayer money on website promoting GOP spin on abortion initiative
View
Date:2025-04-14 00:03:43
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A political committee behind the campaign to pass a constitutional right to abortion in Florida has filed a lawsuit against a state health care agency that it alleges is carrying out a taxpayer-funded “misinformation” campaign against the November ballot measure.
Critics say the state-backed messaging push is the latest “dirty trick” by Republican officials in Florida to thwart the citizen-led initiative to protect abortion in the country’s third-largest state. Nearly a million Floridians signed petitions to get the measure known as Amendment 4 on the ballot, surpassing the more than 891,500 signatures required by the state.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and Southern Legal Counsel filed the lawsuit in a Leon County circuit court on Thursday on behalf of Floridians Protecting Freedom, Inc., the organization behind Amendment 4.
The lawsuit targets a website, television and radio ads created by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration to give Floridians “the truth” about the proposed constitutional amendment. If approved by at least 60% of Florida voters, Amendment 4 would make abortions legal until the fetus is viable, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.
The website launched this month states that “Amendment 4 threatens women’s safety” and defends Florida’s current law, which bans most abortions after six weeks, under a banner that reads “Florida is Protecting Life” and “Don’t let the fearmongers lie to you.”
In the legal filing, attorneys for the abortion rights campaign called on the court to immediately halt the messaging push and what they argue is the unlawful use of taxpayer funds by state officials in service of a political campaign, actions which they claim are infringing on the rights of Florida voters.
“Florida’s government has crossed a dangerous line by using public resources to mislead voters and manipulate their choices in the upcoming election,” ACLU of Florida attorney Michelle Morton said in a statement. “This lawsuit aims to stop these unconstitutional efforts and restore integrity to our electoral process.”
Representatives for AHCA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a post on the social media platform X before the lawsuit was filed, AHCA Secretary Jason Weida touted the agency’s new website.
“To combat the lies and disinformation surrounding Florida’s abortion laws, @AHCA_FL has launched an improved transparency page,” Weida’s post reads. “To see more please visit our website.”
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has defended the agency’s messaging push — and a state investigation into tens of thousands of petition signatures that were used to get Amendment 4 on the ballot. As a part of that probe, police have been showing up at the homes of some of the people who signed the petition to question them.
Speaking to reporters before the lawsuit was filed, DeSantis said the AHCA page is not political but is giving Floridians “factual information” about the amendment.
“Everything that is put out is factual. It is not electioneering,” DeSantis said at a news conference, adding, “I am glad they are doing it.”
___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (99)
Related
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Trump gunman researched Crumbley family of Michigan shooting. Victim's dad 'not surprised'
- Setback to Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks as far-right Israeli official visits contested Jerusalem holy site
- Chanel West Coast Shares Insight Into Motherhood Journey With Daughter Bowie
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Will Kim Cattrall Return to And Just Like That? She Says…
- Pig transplant research yields a surprise: Bacon safe for some people allergic to red meat
- DNC backs virtual roll call vote for Biden as outside groups educate delegates about other scenarios
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- WNBA All-Star game highlights: Arike Ogunbowale wins MVP as Olympians suffer loss
Ranking
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Kate Hudson jokes she could smell Matthew McConaughey 'from a mile away' on set
- Why Caitlin Clark wasn't in WNBA 3-point contest tonight: 'I need a break'
- Florida man arrested after alleged threats against Donald Trump, JD Vance
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- We’re Still Talking About These Viral Olympic Moments
- Tiger Woods has never been less competitive, but he’s also never been more relevant
- New Hampshire governor signs bill banning transgender girls from girls' sports
Recommendation
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Taylor Swift starts acoustic set with call to help fan on final night in Gelsenkirchen
Israeli military says it has struck several Houthi targets in Yemen in response to attacks
Man fatally shot in apparent road-rage incident in Indianapolis; police investigating
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
8.5 million computers running Windows affected by faulty update from CrowdStrike
In Idaho, Water Shortages Pit Farmers Against One Another
Christina Hall and Josh Hall Break Up: See Where More HGTV Couples Stand