Florida lawmakers advance bill requiring public schools to post 'In God we trust'

A Florida House subcommittee has approved a bill that would require public schools to post the state's motto, "In God We Trust," in a "conspicuous place."

The bill's primary sponsor, Rep. Kimberly Daniels, said that the new measure will serve as a lesson to children about the national and state motto that's printed on currency and included in the state flag.

"The motto is inscribed on the wall of this great Capitol. It should be displayed so that our children will be exposed and educated on this great motto which is a part of this country's foundation," she said.

Both Democrats and Republicans praised the idea and the bill was unanimously approved by The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

Daniels, a Democrat and a minister affiliated with churches in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale, noted that the phrase "In God We Trust" first appeared on a two-cent piece in 1864 and has been on paper currency since 1957.

The phrase first appeared in the state flag in 1868, and it was adopted by lawmakers as the state motto in 2006.

Democratic Rep. Larry Lee said that the bill is a great idea at a time when many young people no longer go to church. "We're taking God out of everything," he said.

Maggie Garrett, legislative director for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, expressed disapproval for the measure, saying such a stance would be in conflict with court rulings barring schools from promoting religion.

"Not all kids in Florida public schools believe in God," she said, adding that students should not feel pressured while in school.

Monroe County parent Sue Woltanski of the group Common Ground contended that the bill was unnecessary because a state statute already requires schools to display the state flag, which includes the motto.

"That current statute satisfies the requirement to display our state motto, which is, of course, on our state flag," Woltanski said, according to Religion News Service.

"Common Ground is opposed to bills that fail to address real issues in education and waste taxpayer dollars and time," she added.

Daniels, who spearheaded the "religious expression in public schools" legislation last year, said that she did not think that the costs of her new proposal would be significant.

She contended that the importance of teaching children about the state's history will "far much outweigh whatever small cost that there may be."

The bill is now headed to the House Education Committee, while an identical Senate version has yet to be heard.