Florida bill would force public universities to rename roads after Charlie Kirk — or lose state funding
Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. AFP via Getty Images
A Republican lawmaker in Florida has introduced a bill that would require the state’s public universities to rename at least one road on campus after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk—or risk losing state funding.
State Rep. Kevin Steele filed HB 113 on Tuesday. The bill mandates that state colleges “redesignate specified roads or portions of roads to certain names relating to Charlie James Kirk.” Universities would have 90 days to comply, and those that fail to do so could face cuts to their funding.
Under the bill, Florida’s 40 public colleges would need to rename a street “Charlie James Kirk Drive,” “Road,” or “Boulevard,” depending on the existing street name. Many of the suggested streets currently honor mascots, landmarks, or alumni, while others are generic campus roads such as “College Road” or “College Drive.”
Steele explained on X that his goal is “to continue [Kirk’s] legacy through generations of students that will attend our schools and will be faced with many differing ideas.”
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, never completed a formal college education but frequently visited campuses nationwide to debate students across the political spectrum. He was shot and killed during one such debate at Utah Valley University on September 10.
His death sparked a wave of controversy online, with some individuals losing their jobs over insensitive reactions to the shooting. Many high-profile Republicans, including President Trump, attended Kirk’s memorial and funeral.
Legislators have since introduced multiple efforts to honor Kirk. Last month, Florida state Rep. Juan Porras proposed HB 33 to rename part of a road near Florida International University as “Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue.” A Utah Republican also introduced legislation to rename Salt Lake City’s Harvey Milk Boulevard after Kirk. Milk was a New York-born politician and the first openly gay man elected to the California legislature.
Even in Congress, some Republican lawmakers are advocating for silver dollar coins to feature Kirk’s likeness, furthering efforts to memorialize the late conservative figure.
About Post Author
