Despite widespread support, Gov. Scott vetoes alimony bill

Despite widespread support, Gov. Scott vetoes alimony bill

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Rick Scott on Friday vetoed the single most contentious bill from the 2016 Legislature, a major overhaul of alimony law that would have allowed equal time-sharing of child custody in divorces.

Scott's veto ends weeks of suspense and intense lobbying campaigns on both sides during which more than 11,000 calls and e-mails bombarded his office, with supporters ahead by a 4-1 margin.

Scott, who like many of his constituents has experienced divorce in his own family, delivered a veto message with an unusually personal tone.

"As a husband, father and grandfather, I understand the importance of family and the sensitivity and passion that comes with the subject of family law," Scott's veto message said. "As such, we should be judicious and carefully consider the long-term and real-life repercussions on Florida families."

He said he was troubled by a provision in the bill (SB 668) that would require judges to begin divorce proceedings with a premise that both parents are entitled to approximately equal time with their children. Scott said that would put "the wants of a parent before the child's best interest by creating a premise of equal time-sharing," a decision that he said should be left to judges.

"I am certainly disappointed," said state Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, who was trying for a second time to win passage of alimony law changes following a previous veto by Scott in 2013. Lee called Friday's veto "quite a surprise" because lawmakers addressed Scott's earlier objection that the law could apply retroactively.

Though emotionally divisive, the bill had broad support in the Legislature, passing the House by a comfortable 74-38 margin and the Senate by a 24-14 vote in March.

"At this point it is unclear what future family law reform legislation the governor may find acceptable," Lee said in a statement. "[The] veto message is vague and does nothing to further illuminate the governor's concerns ... [It)]focuses exclusively on potential outcomes without giving reasons for how the legislation could actually result in those outcomes."

Scott's decision drew rare praise from some of his most vocal critics.

"I don't say this often, but way to go,"I'm not a big fan of Rick Scott -- except today."

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Despite widespread support, Gov. Scott vetoes alimony bill ."