Posted on 11/20/2003 5:03:25 PM PST by pollywog
Dear Concerned Citizen:
As you may know, the Florida House recently led the fight to help save Terri Schiavo’s life from being cut short by court-ordered dehydration and starvation.
We passed legislation, known as “Terri’s Law” to allow the Governor to issue a stay on court-ordered starvation and dehydration deaths under certain circumstances.
Like many Floridians, I believe the process failed to protect Terri Schiavo and her family. Our action helps to restore a piece of what has been taken from her family.
Unfortunately, Terri’s husband, Michael, has continued to pursue legal avenues to end Terri’s life. Terri’s case is again in courts, and the Florida House has filed a friend of the court brief defending the constitutionality of “Terri’s Law.”
I have attached the House brief for your information. Please take a minute to read our defense of “Terri’s Law”. At the following web link:
http://www.myfloridahouse.com/files/brief/index.htm
Thank your for your continued interest in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Johnnie Byrd Speaker
from Senator Byrd.
One need only review the bill filings for each Legislative session to see that the results of judicial decisions are often the starting point for making new law. Although principles of due process may protect vested rights of citizens from some effects of changes in law, as a general principle, unless past results are expressly preserved, every new law applies to everyone regardless of prior adjudications of right under previous law.
If this were not so, the Legislature would have much less work to do.
Moreover, old law would continue to bind all individuals who had previously been parties to lawsuits. No change in law could affect interests previously before a court of law.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.