Saturday, March 10th Luncheon – William Cotter – “Same Sex Marriage and the Health Care Mandate: What will the Supreme Court Do?”

Please join us on Saturday, March 10th as we welcome Bill Cotter asking the question “Same Sex Marriage and the Health Care Mandate: What will the Supreme Court Do?”

Democrats living in Florida are often embarrassed by the politics of the state they call home. We have a history of controversies ranging from hanging chads, to disappearing touch-screen votes, to the election of a governor whose company was fined for massive Medicare fraud. And then there’s the errymandering that sustains a Republican majority in Tallahassee despite the Democratic lead in voter registration.

In late March, we get to witness one more “brilliant” move by the state of Florida, as the Supreme Court listens to arguments to repeal key components of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. The Sunshine State is right in the thick of the proceedings with its State of Florida v. US Department of Health and Human Services suit.

We are fortunate that Bill Cotter, who has taught classes on the Supreme Court at the Pierian Spring Academy, will share his expertise on the arguments the Supreme Court will hear and his analysis of the potential outcome. He will also discuss what impact the Court may have on the same-sex marriage issue.

A Sarasota resident, Cotter’s recent background includes chairing the advisory board for the Oak Foundation, an international philanthropy which funds projects in conservation, human rights, abuse, housing, learning disabilities, and other social justice issues. Prior to that he spent 21 years as President of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He also worked on international programs for the Ford Foundation, and has lived in Nigeria, Colombia and Venezuela.

Join us on March 10th as Bill Cotter helps us to better understand the issues the Supreme Court will consider in these critical decisions.