2 Lawmakers End Sit-In at Florida Capitol
Two black lawmakers ended their sit-in at the lieutenant governor’s office Wednesday after Gov. Jeb Bush agreed to delay his executive order ending affirmative action so public hearings could be held on the issue.
State Sen. Kendrick Meeks of Miami and state Rep. Anthony C. Hill of Jacksonville, both Democrats, spent the night in Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan’s office.
Twenty other lawmakers and about 100 protesters, including many students from predominantly black Florida A&M; University, crowded the Capitol on Wednesday.
The two lawmakers and Bush signed a statement outlining an agreement reached after they discussed the governor’s plan to replace affirmative action in hiring and university admissions with what the governor calls his “One Florida” program.
Bush agreed to meet formally with the Black Caucus and other interested lawmakers and to delay a Board of Regents vote on the program until Feb. 17.
He contends his plan will increase minority enrollment in state universities and makes it easier for minority businesses to be certified to work across the state.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
