Governor urged to veto alimony bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 11 (UPI) -- Opponents of a bill that could cancel alimony if the recipient is living with someone new are urging Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to veto it.

The alimony bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Gary Siplin would allow a judge to cut or sever alimony if an ex-spouse is living with another person, regardless of whether they have a sexual relationship.

He calls such relationships de-facto marriages, the Palm Beach Post said Wednesday.

Siplin called his bill "pro-faith, pro-marriage and pro-family," but some other Democrats object.

"A woman can be married 25 years and get divorced, probably she raised children and, in some cases, home-schooled them, and if she moves in with a person for two months, she's in jeopardy of losing her alimony," said Sen. Gwen Margolis.

The Miami Democrat called on Bush to veto the bill. She said it "may be the most extreme anti-cohabitation statute in existence."

It is not known where the Republican governor stands on the bill.