Most Palm Beach County delegations voted to reform Florida child support payments.

Editorial editorial opinions of the Palm Beach Post are the opinion of the board of directors, not the opinion of the Post’s newsroom.

Each year state legislators leave their communities for Tallahassee to deal with issues affecting the state. The votes shown here are the final votes on bills adopted in the state. To help our readers better understand their state officials and senators, the editors of the Palm Beach Post present this summary of the key votes taken during the 2023 Florida Legislature session.

After a decade of controversial debate and consistent vetoes, advocates of changing Florida’s old child support laws got what they wanted — a big change. The legislature passed SB 1416, which abolishes permanent alimony and allows ex-spouses to use child custody to reduce their alimony payments. Similar measures have previously been passed by the legislature, only to be vetoed by the governor, including Gov. Ron DeSantis during his first term.

I guess the fourth time is the appeal because this time the measure met with little opposition and DeSantis signed it last month.

Backstory:First wives fear the president’s ambition prompted DeSantis to sign the child support bill he vetoed three times

End of perpetuity in Florida

Nevertheless, the abolition of permanent maintenance remains a contentious issue. Opponents of the bill are furious because they fear the bill will cut child support payments to older women who need them. They have criticized DeSantis for signing the bill to support his presidential nomination. They claim the new law will attract more jaded fathers to live in the Sunshine State.

The governor receives only part of the heat. The bill actually went through the legislature before it even reached DeSantis’ desk. Here’s how members of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation voted when the measure was brought up for the final vote. Next time you meet your local lawmaker, you might want to ask for an explanation of their vote:

YES

Senator Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart

Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach

Rep. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach

Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach

Rep. Rick Roth, R-West Palm Beach

Rep. David Silvers, D-Lake Clarke Shores

MP John Snyder, R-Stuart

Rep. Katherine Waldron, D-Wellington

NO

Senator Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach

Dream. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton

Senator Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach

Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton

DID NOT VOTE

Rep. Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds, D-West Palm Beach