By FRRC Staff Member, Jasmine Kendrick
It’s always the right time to do right. This is a quote we see every year around Martin Luther King Day. In his 1967 speech at Stanford University, Dr. King talks about “The Other America,” a place that millions of immigrants and African Americans are forced to live in. He theorizes that the solution to these problems will not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but will come through the effort and dedication of those making change in their community.
This is a message that has proven itself true across five decades, even as it seems to have fallen flat with many of Florida leaders: We are a week into session — and it’s been 236 days since the clemency board last held a meeting.
“without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation.”
In 2023, there are still close to a million returning citizens disenfranchised in the state of Florida.
Our leaders have a moral obligation to address the issues faced by returning citizens and justice-impacted people seeking to rebuild their lives. So, what exactly can they do?
Jobs. Returning citizens continue to be arbitrarily locked out of the job market. Florida imposes over 350 restrictions on occupational licenses or certifications, with nearly 30 percent of jobs in Florida requiring an occupational license. We need expansion on job licensing eligibility by reducing types of records, such as arrest records not followed by a conviction, when deciding if someone is eligible for a job license.
Jobs legislation that FRRC is supporting: SB 1012 & HB 751, SB 42 & HB 133
Expand Record-Clearing. The U.S. loses up to $87 billion in GDP every year because people with records are locked out of the job market. Expanding access to record clearing is good for workforce development and our economy. Legislation should increase the number of times an individual is eligible to have their past criminal record expunged and expand the type of records eligible for record clearing.
Record-Clearing legislation FRRC is supporting: SB 54 & HB 97
Access to Education. Any form of education is associated with a 43% reduction in recidivism. There is a huge gap in access to education for justice-impacted people. When a person is released, they enter a job market where 70% of new jobs ask for a Bachelor’s degree. Currently incarcerated or recently released people should not lose their status as a Florida resident for tuition purposes solely because they became incarcerated.
Education legislation FRRC is supporting: SB 62 & HB 767
Every battle ever fought for democracy, both then and now, has a human cost. Let this stand as a reminder that behind every statistic, there’s a story, one that deserves to be heard and understood. As we reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s timeless words, let us not forget that the right time to do the right thing is always now. The legislature must continue digging deep into the wells of democracy to address the concerns of their constituents. By dismantling barriers to voting rights and reentry, Florida can embody the principles of justice and equality that King so passionately advocated for, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change for generations to come.
