Florida's Business Community Reaffirms Support for Competitive Workforce Act
Tallahassee, FL - Today, Florida Competes, a coalition of more than 450 Florida businesses, stood with Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), Rep. Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa) and Rep. Jennifer Webb (D-St. Petersburg) to urge legislative leaders to hear the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (SB 430 and HB 485). The legislation would update Florida’s Civil Rights Act of 1992 to include statewide nondiscrimination protections for the LGBTQ community.
“Florida’s business community has reaffirmed its steadfast support for comprehensive nondiscrimnation protections for the LGBTQ community,” said Jon Harris Maurer, Equality Florida's Public Policy Director. “The business community recognizes that if Florida is going to attract and retain top talent, we have to ensure that people won’t face discrimination based on who they are or who they love.”
“This is the civil rights issue of our time,” said Sen. Rouson. “Senate Bill 430 will make it clear to those looking to relocate to Florida that they will be given the same basic rights as everyone else. Workplace discrimination has no place in our state and the time has come for Florida legislators to embrace the Competitive Workforce Act.”
“The Florida Competitive Workforce Act reflects best practices in hiring among Fortune 500 companies, 83 percent of which provide fully inclusive protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Rep. Toledo. “This legislation makes it clear that all Floridians deserve equal rights in employment, public housing and accommodations in order to thrive in a global marketplace.”
“As a newly elected member to the Florida Legislature, I am thrilled to lead this initiative in the House,” said Rep. Webb. “With unprecedented support last year, particularly among freshmen members, I am confident that Florida will follow the 20 other states that already have similar comprehensive nondiscrimination laws in place. It’s the right thing to do.”