Reproductive rights supporters and opponents rally outside of the Florida Supreme Court in February. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group steering an abortion amendment, and state officials disagree on what a financial impact statement should say on the ballot. (Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix)
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointee to a state panel in charge of estimating the financial implications of the abortion rights amendment that will be on the ballot in November is pushing the group to conclude that Florida would have to pay for potential litigation, which he said could run into millions.
The four-person panel is revisiting its financial analysis of Amendment 4 after the initiative’s backers, Floridians Protecting Freedom, filed a suit alleging that the panel’s summary that will appear on ballots isn’t accurate now that the six-week abortion ban is under effect. But, based on the panel’s discussion during a meeting on Monday, the second go-around may not turn out in favor of the abortion-rights initiative.
Chris Spencer, who was director of policy and budget for the Executive Office of the Governor until June and now leads the State Board of Administration, said passage of Amendment 4 would lead to litigation challenging the existing statutes and regulations on abortion, such as waiting periods, parental consent for minors and whether Medicaid would cover the procedure.
