Controversial bill prompts SoFla legislators to cross party lines

The controversial parental rights legislation (HB 1557) that critics have dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill passed in the House Thursday largely with Republicans supporting it in lock-step and Democrats opposing after emotional debate, including pleas from LGBTQ legislators.

But among the eight lawmakers who didn’t vote along party lines, five of them hailed from South Florida.

Democrat Rep. James Bush III of Miami-Dade area was the lone Democrat voting for it, while four South Florida’s Republicans voted no. They were Reps. Vance Aloupis, Demi Busatta Cabrera, Jim Mooney, all of the Miami area and Rep. Chip LaMarca of Lighthouse Point.

– Anne Geggis, Florida Politics