With Republicans angry about a vaccination rule issued by the federal Occupational and Safety and Health Administration, the Florida House on Wednesday approved a proposal that could lead to the state taking over regulation of worker safety and health issues.
The GOP-controlled House voted 76-38 along almost straight party lines to pass a bill (HB 5B) that would direct Gov. Ron DeSantis to develop a plan for the state to move away from OSHA oversight. The Senate also is expected to pass the bill before adjourning a special legislative session that started Monday.
House bill sponsor Ardian Zika, R-Land O’ Lakes, pointed to the OSHA vaccination rule, which was issued this month and would apply to employers with 100 or more workers. Those workers would have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or test negative at least once a week and wear masks.
DeSantis and other Republicans have argued the rule will lead to workers losing jobs if they don’t comply.
“Forced firing of Floridians is not the Florida way,” Zika said. “It is not the role of government to pick and choose which employee is fired.”
But Democrats said lawmakers should not have taken up the issue during the special session, as it is not urgent.
“This is special session, and this bill ain’t special,” Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, said.
Under the bill, DeSantis would have to report back to the Legislature by Jan. 17 about efforts to put together the plan. Ultimately, the federal government would have to sign off on a state plan before it could move forward. Zika said this week that the process could take two to three years.
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If the plan moves forward in the future, Florida would join numerous other states that regulate worker safety and health.
A House analysis said 21 states and Puerto Rico operate plans that cover private and government employees. Another five states and the U.S. Virgin Islands operate plans that cover government employees, according to the analysis.
But the idea emerged in Florida after OSHA issued the vaccination rule, which would take effect Jan. 4. Florida joined Georgia and Alabama in filing a federal-court challenge to the rule. That challenge was consolidated Tuesday with similar cases across the country and will be heard in the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Rep. James Bush, D-Miami, was the only House member to cross party lines on the bill Wednesday, joining Republicans in support. Other Democrats pointed to political motivations of Republicans.
“If you are trying to make a point, congratulations, you did it,” Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said.
But Zika said Florida would be better situated to oversee worker safety and health issues.
“Florida knows Florida better than Washington, D.C. will ever know Florida,” he said.
–Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida
Jackson1955 says
The Republican Party these days seem to be consumed with anger and bigotry and shows no hesitancy in demonstrating their lack of tolerance for anything that doesn’t fit in what they narrowly perceive America to be, or represent.
This argument about freedom is so tiresome. As others have said, no one has the freedom to put others at deadly risk. I read an article yesterday about the number of ICU hospital personnel who have witnessed the sad senseless lonely deaths of the unvaccinated deciding to leave their work because they can’t take it anymore. Nurses spent their lives trying to help save people. There is a deadly virus but also a vaccine that nearly eliminates the deadly risk, and some refuse to get it. What a country!
Dennis says
Welcome to America, not Russia. Biden and the democratic socialist party need and want to control every aspect of our lives. America is fighting back on socialism and total government t control. Our body out choice. I believe I hear that about abortion too. Does that only work one way?
Tony says
If they want to circumvent and ignore OSHA safety regulations then they should be willing to fund those projects themselves from their own pockets and without federal money.
Jp says
This is the argument the original poster shut down. Your rights end where mine begin. Florida rebuking the federal government shows you just how willing they are to help other Americans. You fit nicely into that category with you Fox News rhetoric. It amazes me how y’all claim to be free thinkers and yet parrot whatever Tucker says.
jake says
Hey, people are stupid, they won’t get the vaccine to protect themselves, and they voted for Sleepy Joe.
Robjr says
Florida House Votes to Reject Federal OSHA Protections for Workers and Replace them With State Alternative
In other words.
No Protections.