Emotions boil over Tuesday as supporters and opponents of proposed changes to Florida alimony law clash at the state Capitol

Supporters, opponents of alimony law changes clash at Capitol

TALLAHASSEE -- Emotions boiled over Tuesday as supporters and opponents of proposed changes to Florida alimony law clashed at the state Capitol.

The Legislature's changes to the system, including an end to permanent alimony and a presumption children should spend equal time with divorced parents, has stirred the most passion of any bill from the 2016 session.

Senate Bill 668 is the last major bill of the session to reach Scott's desk. He has until April 19 to sign it, veto it or let it become law without his signature, and he has given no hint of his intentions.

"I'll do what I do with every bill," Scott said at a bill signing event a few days ago. "I look through the bill, I listen to what people are saying about the bill, and then I make the best decision."

Scott was far from the Capitol Tuesday as dozens of marchers converged in his office. He was in suburban Orlando at a jobs event for Fresh Express, a maker of pre-cut salads.

Dozens of people, many in their 40s and 50s, carried signs and shouted insults at each other. When opponents marched a short distance to Scott's office to deliver letters, supporters followed behind and yelled, "Sign the bill! Sign the bill!"

"They're rude. They're bullies. Now we know why they're divorced," said Barbara DeVane of the National Organization for Women, a leader of the opposition, which includes the League of Women Voters, the National Council of Jewish Women and National Association of Social Workers.

After more than a half hour, Scott's director of citizen services, Warren Davis, appeared, listened attentively to both sides and took notes. Two supporters held a meeting with two of Scott's aides, Jeffrey Woodburn and Megan DeMartini Fay.

Melissa Isaak, a lawyer from Montgomery, Ala., urged Scott to sign the bill. Her firm exclusively represents men in divorce cases and she said opponents support the status quo for one reason: money.

"These family law attorneys are encouraging litigation," Isaak told Davis.

Isaak also said children of divorced parents who can't see both parents equally are more likely to suffer from depression, alcohol abuse, truancy and other problems.

Supporters rallied first on the steps of the historic Old Capitol and called on Scott to sign the bill. They wore red as a symbol of love, passion and solidarity, supporter Alan Frisher of Melbourne said.

Their spokeswoman, Tarie MacMillan, is a jewelry store owner from Wimauma in Hillsborough County who said she pays 65 percent of her income to her ex-husband who won't work. If the bill becomes law, she said, she can retire and would no longer have to pay alimony.

"The people have spoken," MacMillan said, citing overwhelming passage by the Legislature. "We are asking for equity."

Critics say the bill would be harmful to older women. Ann Dwyer, 71, of Longwood, called for a veto, saying she was a stay-at-home mom and works as a part-time accountant and lives on Social Security in addition to her ex-husband's permanent alimony payment, which would end if the bill becomes law.

One of the bill's most controversial elements is both parents are equally capable of sharing custody of children.

Under the bill, alimony could be changed or ended when a divorced partner's income changes.

Both sides disagree as to whether the bill can be applied retroactively. Supporters say it cannot; opponents say it can.

Scott has received more than 13,000 comments on the issue. His office said supporters outnumber opponents by 5 to 1.

"Children are used as pawns between parents jockeying for leverage," Skye Reynolds of Largo, a supporter, emailed Scott last week. "(The) bill would eliminate this."

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Emotions boil over Tuesday as supporters and opponents of proposed changes to Florida alimony law clash at the state Capitol ."