In the News
Al Lawson’s, AOC’s, Tlaib’s Bill Reforming How Companies Use Credit Reports in Hiring Gains Steam
by Kevin Derby
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson's, D-Fla., proposal cracking down on how companies use credit reports when they hire new employees is gaining traction on Capitol Hill. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., are cosponsoring the bill. At the start of the month, Lawson introduced the "Restricting Credit Checks for Employment Decisions Act" which cleared the U.S. House Financial Services Committee last week. "The bill prevents employers from seeking credit scores or … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
Congressman Al Lawson gives the Tiger Bay Club a view into the 2019 session
by T'nerra Butler
There's never a dull moment at the U.S. Capitol - so said U.S. Rep. Al Lawson at Friday's Capital Tiger Bay Club luncheon. Tallahassee's Democrat congressman shared his key takeaways from the 2019 session, which included criminal justice reform, affordable health care and disaster relief. After a lighthearted introduction by City Commissioner Gil Ziffer - and the typical Tiger Bay stabs at humor - Lawson dived into a discussion of legislation that stymied Congress, and noted times he saw … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
Florida Congressmen's Bill to Help Vets Enter Civilian Workforce Heads to the Senate
by Kevin Derby
A bill from two North Florida congressmen -- Republican Rep. John Rutherford and Democratic Rep. Al Lawson -- to help veterans transition out of the service and into civilian careers has cleared the U.S. House and now heads to the U.S. Senate. Back in October 2017, Rutherford and Lawson unveiled a bill creating a grant matching program for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support organizations that help veterans enter the private sector through job training programs and other … Continue Reading
May 29, 2019
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson commemorates fallen soldiers post Memorial Day
Roughly 130 soldiers buried in Greenwood Cemetery off Old Bainbridge Road were not honored on Memorial Day Monday. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, and other community leaders are working to change that. On Wednesday afternoon, the congressman, along with the Buffalo Soldiers of Tallahassee and Tallahassee Urban League, planted American flags at 90 grave sites to commemorate the fallen soldiers who were missed Monday. The group underestimated the number of unrecognized soldiers and plan to … Continue Reading
April 08, 2019
Congressman Lawson hosts panel discussing mistreatment of college athletes
Congressman Al Lawson's latest challenge stretches beyond regional boundary lines. The District 5 representative is working on a campaign focusing on the civil rights of collegiate student-athletes nationwide. As a former basketball and track star at Florida A&M University, Lawson knows all too well the difficult balancing act of playing sports as a full-time student. Since his heyday as a Rattler, he's witnessed the massive economic expansion of the NCAA. Conversely, Lawson … Continue Reading
April 06, 2019
Chamber honors Lawson
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, with its annual Spirit of Enterprise Award in recognition of his pro-growth and pro-job policies, the congressman's office said. Lawson, in a release, said he is working for more job creation and economic growth. "While the government at times can focus on assisting large businesses, which is important, guaranteeing that foundations are laid so smaller business can succeed are also equally as important," he … Continue Reading
April 02, 2019
Al Lawson takes aim at NCAA treatment of student athletes
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Jr. parlayed a standout period as a college basketball player into an NBA stint, a coaching gig, and now a political career of long standing. Lawson's case represents the best-case scenario for student athletes, however, and a new bill from the second-term Democrat would bring change to an oft-criticized model. The NCAA Act of 2019 would eliminate the "one-and-done" rule, provide medical coverage for sports-related injuries, and create an easier process for student … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Northeast Fla. Congressmen Rutherford, Lawson Join American Flood Coalition
Northeast Florida Representatives John Rutherford, a Republican, and Al Lawson, a Democrat, have joined the American Flood Coalition, a nonpartisan group of cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses and civic organizations that have come together to push for national solutions to help support flood-affected communities. "Sea level rise impacts our many coastal communities and military installations in Northeast Florida," said Rutherford, whose district includes all of Nassau … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
North Florida Congressmen Want to Make Things Easier When Veterans Transition to Civilian Workforce
Two North Florida congressmen--Republican U.S. Rep. John Rutherford and Democrat U.S. Rep. Al Lawson--brought back a proposal to help veterans transition out of the service and into the civilian sector. Back in October 2017, Rutherford and Lawson unveiled a bill creating a grant matching program for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support organizations that help veterans enter the private sector through job training programs and other training to help them enter the civilian … Continue Reading
March 05, 2019
Lawson helps secure $9M to clean up Jacksonville Superfund site
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Relief is on the way for families living near an EPA-designated contaminated area where the Fairfax Street Wood Treaters facility once stood. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson helped secure nearly $9 million in government funding to clean up the 12.5-acre site, which is primarily in a residential area, by removing debris beginning this month. The project will last for six months. "We should be doing everything we can to eliminate this hazardous matter and clean up our community," … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Al Lawson: “Homelessness in America is a National Crisis
Now in his second term in Congress, this week, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., tried to focus on homelessness. Lawson took part on a U.S. House Financial Services Committee focused on "Homeless in America: Examining the Crisis and Solutions to End Homelessness." "The hearing served as an opportunity to raise awareness to the issue and put forth proactive solutions to address this important topic," the congressman's office noted. "Homelessness in America is a national crisis," Lawson insisted. … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Father of yoga shooting victim to attend State of the Union
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- The father of one of the women killed in a shooting at a Tallahassee yoga studio last year has been invited to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday evening. Jeff Binkley, father of shooting victim Maura Binkley, was invited to attend the address as the guest of Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath. Maura, a 21-year-old Florida State student, was one of two women gunned down when a man opened fire at Hot Yoga Tallahassee on November 2. 61-year-old … Continue Reading
January 23, 2019
Al Lawson Champions Bill to Bring More Veterans into Agriculture
Now part of the congressional majority and starting his second term on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., is looking to bring more veterans into agriculture. Lawson and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., teamed up last week to bring out a bill ensuring more United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) apprenticeships are available to veterans. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., is also backing the bill. "The Veterans Agricultural Apprenticeship Act instructs the USDA … Continue Reading
January 16, 2019
Congressmen Al Lawson, Neal Dunn reject pay during federal shutdown
While thousands of Floridians who work for the federal government go without pay, Tallahassee's two congressmen have decided to join them and will refuse their paychecks during the government shutdown. The federal government employs more than 139,000 in Florida in programs for agriculture, the environment, and housing. Most of them have been furloughed during a partial shutdown forced by a dispute between President Donald Trump and Congress over a wall for the southern border. At least … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
U.S. Rep. AL Lawson requests disaster assistance funding for farmers
(WTXL) - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson urged House Leaders to request disaster assistance for farmers affected by hurricanes Michael and Florence. According to a press release, the letter was co-signed by 26 lawmakers from states impacted by the two hurricanes that devastated the southeast earlier this year. "The Florida panhandle suffered wide-spread devastation from Hurricane Michael, leaving extensive damage to communities, including significant crop losses," Rep. Lawson said. "Agriculture is the … Continue Reading
October 28, 2018
Carlos Curbelo, Al Lawson Look to Protect Florida Agriculture With Trade Bill
While the Trump administration has renegotiated NAFTA with Canada and Mexico, two members of the Florida delegation are looking to protect specialty growers in the Sunshine State. This week, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., brought out the "Agricultural Trade Improvement Act" which adjusts the Tariff Act of 1930 to "allow American specialty crop growers to request the imposition of antidumping or countervailing duties." "Under current law, a trade remedy … Continue Reading
September 24, 2018
Al Lawson bill would eliminate NCAA ‘one-and-done’ rule
Some NCAA men's basketball programs are infamous for their "one and done" players, "diaper dandies" who spend a year in a collegiate apprenticeship before moving to the NBA. New legislation from U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a former college baller who spent some time in the pros and coaching ranks, would change that. HR 6749 would eliminate the National Basketball Association "one-and-done" rule, which requires American players to be at least 19 years of age and spend a year in college. The bill … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
What Lawmakers From My State Are Doing About Equal Pay, From Alabama To Florida
Bustle asked all 529 current U.S. senators and representatives who vote on legislation: As a member of Congress, what are you doing to ensure that men and women receive equal pay for equal work? Just over 30 percent of Congress responded. Here's what senators and representatives from states said. Rep. Al Lawson (D) "Nothing is more important than ensuring that all workers receive equal pay for equal work. I fought for the Fair Pay Act that restores a women's right to challenge unfair pay … Continue Reading
September 14, 2018
Lawson puts spotlight on FAMU grads serving as mayor during Black Caucus event
Four U.S. mayors - all graduates of Florida A&M University - shared the stage Friday at a workshop during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 48th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson hosted "FAMU Made: From Mayor to Mainstreet," which examined the role that FAMU played in preparing the mayors for leadership. The panel featured Mayor Booker Gainor IV, Cairo, Ga.; Mayor Oliver Gilbert, Miami Gardens; Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, East Point, … Continue Reading
August 14, 2018
Lake City Gateway Airport awarded $6.9 million grant
LAKE CITY, Fla. (WCTV) -- A local airport is getting a big funding boost thanks to a federal grant. The U.S. House of Representatives announced Monday that the Lake City Gateway Airport was awarded a $6.9 million grant for rehabilitation. "This grant will allow Lake City Gateway airport to grow, improve and provide essential transportation services to Lake City residents," said Rep. Al Lawson. "Access to this new and improved airport will allow residents the opportunity to travel safely and … Continue Reading