Gun bill shows how Democrats struggle in Tallahassee
TALLAHASSEE — Sen. Linda Stewart knows her bill banning assault weapons sales won’t pass. But after the Pulse nightclub massacre last June that left 49 dead, she’s disappointed it hasn’t even come up for discussion.
“We may not get it heard this year, but it’s going to come right back next year because I’m not giving up on it,” said Stewart, of Orlando, whose district includes Pulse.
Her biggest problem: She is a Democrat in a Republican-dominated Legislature.
When the legislative session begins Tuesday, it will mark 20 years of total Republican control of both chambers of the Legislature. GOP majorities have grown to near-super majorities in both chambers in that time, leaving Democrats all but irrelevant on most major issues.
Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-democrats-minority-legislature-20170302-story.html
