Video above: Florida lawmaker proposes Charlie Kirk memorial day
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A proposed bill threatens to withhold funding from Florida universities if they don’t change the name of Campus Roadways after conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk.
Florida Rep. Kevin Steele, a Dade City Republican, filed HB-113 on Tuesday. It directs 40 public agencies to designate specific streets, or parts of them, such as “Charlie James Kirk” Road, Avenues and Boulevards.
For example, the bill would order the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida, Steele’s alma mater, to rename USF Alumni Drive Charlie James Kirk Drive. These are other proposed changes to Tampa Bay College and University Campus Street, according to the text of the bill.
Florida Polytechnic University will redesignate Polytechnic Circle, just as New College of Florida will redesignate College Drive at Charlie James Kirk Circle. Wellness Trail as Charlie James Kirk Trail Polk State College Charlie James Kirk Road St. Petersburg College Redesignates Fifth Avenue as Charlie James Kirk Avenue State College of Florida.
“State funds shall be withheld from any state university or University of Florida System institution whose board cannot redesignate a street or portion of a street,” the text of the bill reads.
Kirk, known for his podcast, social media presence, and closeness to the Trump administration, rose to prominence through his campus political organization. Kirk founded the conservative student group Turning Point USA, which has chapters on campuses across the country and Turning Point PAC, which provides financial support to “America First candidates,” according to its website.
He was fatally shot while arguing with students in front of a large crowd at the University of Utah last month.
“My goal with this bill is to continue his legacy through the generations of students who attend our schools and be exposed to many different ideas,” Steele wrote in an X post Wednesday.
The bill will become effective as soon as it becomes law. Florida public higher education institutions have 90 days to comply.
