Latest news with #SB700
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers move forward on controversial bill that would impact drinking water for millions of people: 'This is about your liberty'
The state of Florida is nearing the signing of a bill that would lead to the removal of fluoride from its water supply. On April 29, the Florida House of Representatives passed SB 700, also known as the Florida Farm Bill, by nearly 60 votes. The legislation is geared toward supporting the state's agriculture industry. This includes protecting farmers from discriminatory lending practices, reducing their financial burden, and promoting consumer protections. Included in the bill is a provision that bars local governments from including "the use of any additive in a public water system which does not meet the definition of a water quality additive." Rep. Danny Alvarez, who co-sponsored the bill, applauded its passing in the Senate. While speaking to the News Service of Florida, Alvarez pointed to the bill's protection of individuals. "This is not about fluoride," Alvarez said. "This is about your liberty." The bill awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature. According to the American Cancer Society, fluoride was introduced to community water supplies in 1945 to improve the dental health of residents. While opponents have questioned the safety of fluoride in water, studies have shown that the additive does not cause cancer. Dr. Bert Hughes, a dentist and former president of the Alachua County Dental Association, noted the adverse effects that the bill will have on impoverished communities in Florida. "Adding fluoride to water is one of the top 10 public health achievements in our country," Hughes told The Gainesville Sun. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "We look at different communities around Gainesville like High Springs and Alachua, and I see a lot of children and you can see the difference in the rate of decay and how it presents itself," added Hughes. "What's good about fluoride water is that it actually gets within your system and when teeth are forming, it forms a harder structure that is more resistant to decay versus applying it topically." As the Sun reported, Gainesville Regional Utilities said it would comply with the order. The utility will stop adding fluoride to its drinking water in July. After Utah, Florida is the second state in the United States to ban the addition of fluoride in drinking water. In a May 6 news release, DeSantis signaled his intention to sign SB 700. "The Free State of Florida means freedom from governments or private actors unilaterally applying chemicals or geoengineering to people or public spaces," DeSantis said. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Ron DenSantis signs bill making Florida second state to ban fluoride from public water
May 15 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday banning fluoride in public water, making it the second state to do so. DeSantis signed SB 700, known as the Farm Bill, during a press conference. The law, which is to go into effect July 1, prohibits local governments from adding fluoride and other "water quality" additives from the water supply. DeSantis equated the use of fluoride in water -- which is heralded as a trusted and tested public health preventative medicine strategy -- as "basically forced medication on people." "People want to use it on their teeth, great. But it's readily available now," he said. "We have the ability to deliver fluoride through toothpaste and ... all these others things. You don't got to force it and take way people's choices." DeSantis framed the issue as one of "informed consent," stating "forcing this in the water supply is trying to take that away from people who may want a different decision rather than to have this in water." The bill reached DeSantis after having been overwhelming approved by the state's House in a 88 to 27 vote late last month and the state's Senate on April 16 in a 27 to 9 vote. Florida's ban comes after Utah in late March became the first state to prohibit fluoride in its public water and as the Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Health and Human Services review potential health risks associated with the long-held medical practices. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has claimed that fluoride is associated with an assortment of diseases, including cancer, and he called it "an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer IQ loss, neurodevelopment disorders and thyroid disease." On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its intention to remove fluoride supplements from the market staring October. U.S. cities have fluoridated their drinking water for decades in a effort to fight tooth decay, with Grand Rapids, Mich., becoming the first to do so in 1945. The American Dental Association has been a vocal supported of fluoridated tap water amid the controversy and on Thursday published slides to its Facebook account showing that the practice reduces cavities by 25% in both adults and children, and is safe. Its president, Brett Kessler, said in a statement issued following Utah's ban that children will be the ones to suffer. "Community water fluoridation programs save states money, save the federal government money and save people money," he said. "I urge every dentist and community member to make their voices heard if there are proposals in your area that threaten the oral health of our communities."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida bans municipalities from fluoridating water supplies
Image via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Florida has banned fluoride from its water supply. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed (SB 700) into law Thursday making Florida the second state (after Utah) in the country to ban municipalities from fluoridating their water supplies. The bill doesn't include the word fluoride. Instead, it references any substances not included on a list of acceptable additives — which fluoride is not. The Florida Dental Association prioritizes the health and well-being of all Floridians and relies on research-proven methods to promote dental health across the state. – FDA President Dr. Jeff Ottley But DeSantis dropped the F-word plenty during a bill-signing ceremony and credited State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo with helping to get the ban passed. 'Joseph Ladapo has really led the charge by going to counties and saying forcing fluoride into your water is actually not good. There's risks associated that. For pregnant women, for young people, for kids. And, yes, use fluoride for your team. That's fine. But forcing it into the water supply is basically forced medication on people. They don't have a choice. You're taking that away from them,' the governor said. Florida's top public health official recommends nixing community water fluoridation The Florida Dental Association denounced the move, saying in a prepared statement it was 'disappointed in Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature's decision to end one of the most effective, safe and affordable protections against tooth decay.' 'The Florida Dental Association prioritizes the health and well-being of all Floridians and relies on research-proven methods to promote dental health across the state,' FDA President Dr. Jeff Ottley said in a prepared statement. Ottley went on to say that the FDA strongly reinforces that fluoridation is a naturally occurring mineral, not a medication, that is already present in the water in many parts of the country, including Florida. Water fluoridation has been researched for more than 80 years, and overwhelming, credible scientific evidence consistently indicates that fluoridation of community water supplies is safe and effective at preventing and repairing tooth decay.' It's the second press event the governor held on SB 700 in the last nine days. He was joined by Ladapo and Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson at the first event. Simpson joined DeSantis again Thursday to praise the new law. Senate President Ben Albritton also attended the press conference. Albritton championed a provision in SB 700 that creates Florida Retail Fuel Transfer Switch Modernization Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Subject to funding, the program provides up to $10,000 in grants per retail fuel facility to install or modernize transfer switch infrastructure to allow for the continuity of fueling operations when the stations are being powered by a generator. Retail fuel locations in fiscally constrained counties could be awarded grants of up to $10,000. Gas stations in all other counties would be eligible for up to $5,000 in grants to cover the costs of the transfer switch and installation. The transfer switches must be capable of operating all fuel pumps. Worth noting: The bill doesn't contain an appropriation, so the grant program must be included in the state fiscal year 2025-26 budget in order to be operational. Albritton predicted the grant program will be a game changer for Floridians during hurricane season, a time when power outages can leave residents locked out from filling their cars with gasoline, even when the stores have it available. 'So, when hurricane evacuation or when hurricane recovery is happening, those families will not have to search on, and on, and on, and on trying to find gasoline just to keep their family safe and get out of harm's way. These switches will go a long way to making sure that we have generators that are connected to these places and will have access to that gasoline.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thursday's Mini-Report, 5.15.25
Today's edition of quick hits. * A closely watched case: 'Thursday's Supreme Court hearing over President Donald Trump's attempt to curb the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship technically wasn't about whether his attempt is legal. But while the hearing exposed his attempt's illegality and his administration's lack of confidence in its legality, it's unclear when the justices will issue a definitive ruling on whether it's legal or not.' * I'd caution against accepting claims like these at face value: 'The White House said today that Trump has signed an agreement with Qatar worth at least $1.2 trillion, though the White House didn't provide documentation to support that figure. NBC News is unable to verify its accuracy.' * Put this one in the 'developments China will love' category: 'The White House National Security Council has ordered U.S. agencies and departments to suspend work with the Group of 20 conference set to be hosted by South Africa this year, according to two people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a government decision not yet made public.' * No good will come of the campaign against fluoride: 'Florida has become the second state to officially ban fluoride in public water. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 700, also known as the Florida Farm Bill, into law Thursday. The bill doesn't specifically mention the word 'fluoride,' but it effectively bans the mineral by preventing 'the use of certain additives in a water system.' It will go into effect July 1.' * The latest in a series of related reversals: 'The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reinstated 328 federal employees who faced terminations, including those involved in screening for 'black lung' disease in coal miners and for health issues in 9/11 first responders.' * We can only hope the impressive Biden-era progress on fentanyl deaths continues: 'Overdose deaths in the United States fell by nearly 30,000 last year, the government reported on Wednesday, the strongest sign yet that the country is making progress against one of its deadliest, most intractable public health crises.' * Buckle up: 'The US attorney's office in Washington, DC, is hoping for a new era of relative calm as the top federal prosecutor in the nation's capital switches from one outspoken, controversial ally of the president to another. Former Fox News host and newly tapped interim US Attorney Jeanine Pirro took her oath of office on Wednesday and now leads one of the most powerful federal prosecution offices in the country.' * The congressman probably could've handled this effort better: 'A long-shot effort by Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar to force an impeachment vote against President Donald Trump was abruptly pulled Wednesday evening after a group of Democrats signaled they would vote with Republicans to block the move. Moments before a planned vote on a motion to table Thanedar's impeachment resolution — a procedure that would have effectively killed it for the time being — the Michigan Democrat reversed course and opted not to call up the resolution for floor consideration.' See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DeSantis signs ban on adding fluoride
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill that includes preventing local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies. The bill (SB 700), dubbed the 'Florida Farm Bill.' makes a series of changes related to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 'Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that's fine, but forcing it in the water supply is basically forced medication on people,' DeSantis said during a bill-signing event in Dade City. 'They don't have a choice. You're taking that away from them.' Cities and counties have added fluoride to drinking water for decades to bolster dental health but recently have debated whether to continue the practice. Florida joins Utah, which banned fluoride in March. Among other things, the bill will restrict plant-based foods from being labeled milk, meat, poultry or eggs. The bill also will prohibit most operations of drones over agricultural lands, wildlife management areas or sport shooting ranges. When DeSantis announced May 6 he would sign the bill, Florida Dental Association President Jeff Ottley issued a statement that said fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral already present in many water sources and is not a medication. 'Water fluoridation has been researched for more than 80 years, and overwhelming, credible scientific evidence consistently indicates that fluoridation of community water supplies is safe and effective at preventing and repairing tooth decay,' Ottley said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
