Last week, Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Cabinet voted unanimously to eliminate automatic restoration of rights for convicted felons.Rep. Alan Williams voiced his strong disagreement with the Florida Cabinet’s decision.
“I am deeply disappointed in the decision by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet to approve new clemency policies that require ex-felons to wait five to seven years before they can seek restorations of civil rights in order to vote and hold public office,” Williams said.
Williams and several other members of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators publicly announced their opposition to the proposal and urged the Cabinet to keep in place clemency rules that began in 2007 under Governor Charlie Crist.
“Changing the rules will only add barriers to those who have paid their debt to society,” Williams said. “I believe the Governor and Cabinet made a rush decision and, in turn, have turned back the clock.”