All articles tagged with #florida legislature
Florida lawmakers approved a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump, sending it to Gov. DeSantis with potential branding costs up to $5.5 million; Republicans praise the move as honoring the president, while Democrats criticize it as divisive and caution that FAA approval and licensing deals will ultimately shape the rename.
With Gov. Ron DeSantis’ eight-year tenure ending, Florida’s closing legislative session looks likely to be messy as House–Senate clashes complicate an ambitious agenda: pushing a multibillion-dollar property-tax overhaul onto the November ballot, pursuing mid-decade redistricting in a special session, and advancing AI guardrails along with vaccine-mandate rollbacks—all of which could shape his legacy and his near-certain 2024 presidential bid amid a shifting GOP power dynamic.
After a tumultuous six months marked by intra-GOP conflicts and legislative disputes, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis now faces the task of deciding on vetoes from a nearly unanimously approved $115 billion budget, amid ongoing tensions with the state legislature and various policy battles.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will have a limited presence at the upcoming legislative session as he focuses on his presidential campaign, marking a departure from his previous dominant influence. Lawmakers anticipate a more subdued session, with fewer contentious proposals from DeSantis. His presidential bid has faced challenges, leading to a shift in the political landscape. Despite his absence, DeSantis's influence and veto power continue to shape Florida's political agenda.
Glen Gilzean, the chair of Florida's ethics commission, has been ruled unable to continue in his position while also working as the administrator of Walt Disney World's governing district, due to a conflict of interest. Florida law prohibits public employees from serving on the ethics commission. Gilzean, an ally of Governor Ron DeSantis, was appointed to the position in retaliation for Disney's opposition to legislation supported by DeSantis. The district and Disney are currently engaged in legal battles over control and contractual agreements.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a "Digital Bill of Rights" called the "Technology Transparency" bill, which gives Floridians control over their personal data, the right to opt out of having their personal data sold, and the right to protect children from personal data collection. The bill also prohibits government employees from using their position to communicate with social media platforms to remove content or accounts from the platform. The legislation drew heavy lobbying throughout the legislative session and was approved in a 110-2 vote by the House.
Ron DeSantis' supporters believe that his recent legislative victories in Florida will provide the momentum needed for his potential 2024 presidential campaign. The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature passed several culture-war focused policies that align with DeSantis' political persona, including a ban on children attending adult-themed drag shows and a ban on colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives. However, DeSantis still faces a significant gap in polling numbers compared to Donald Trump, who has attacked him directly. Despite this, DeSantis' supporters remain confident in his ability to win over Republican primary voters with his conservative record and ability to "demoralize and destroy the left."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to announce his presidential campaign after the state's legislative session ends on Friday. The Republican-controlled Legislature has passed several bills on issues such as abortion, guns, and school vouchers, which could help DeSantis in a GOP primary but may reduce his appeal in a general election. The Legislature also passed measures that could help clear DeSantis' path to the White House, including a DeSantis-shaped exemption to the state's "Resign-to-Run" law and a measure that shields his travel records from public view. However, DeSantis is facing criticism from former President Donald Trump and is trailing in polls of the possible primary field.
The Florida Legislature has passed a bill that bans transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers, and prohibits universities, local governments, and other agencies from using public dollars to cover such treatments for anyone in Florida. The bill also makes it easier for patients to sue doctors who performed gender-affirming treatments. Once signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida will join more than a dozen other states that currently prohibit doctors from providing minors with gender-affirming care such as hormone therapies or surgeries. The measure marks the latest bill the Florida Legislature passed focusing on the transgender community.
Florida's Republican-led lawmakers have largely delivered on Gov. Ron DeSantis' top policy priorities, including making it easier to execute criminals, banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, and ending permit requirements to carry concealed weapons. However, some items, such as a bill that made it easier to sue journalists, were not passed. DeSantis' expected presidential bid has loomed over much of the legislative session, and the support he received from Republicans provides him with a long list of legislative victories to tout to GOP primary voters across the country.
With just one week left in the annual legislative session, Florida’s Republican-led lawmakers have largely delivered on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ top policy priorities, including measures on abortion, guns, the death penalty, lawsuit limits, new restrictions on unions, and an elections measure that will make it clear he can run for president without having to resign if he beats former President Donald Trump and becomes the GOP nominee. However, there are still a handful of items left unfulfilled, including a ban on gender-affirming care. The state budget includes an across-the-board 5% pay raise for state employees and boosts retirement benefits for public workers.
Florida lawmakers have been accused of kidnapping trans children after a defiant protest against anti-trans laws in the House of Representatives. Parents and their children were at the House of Representatives in the state capital, Tallahassee, on Tuesday (18 April) to protest against SB 254, which would see medical professionals banned from providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to trans minors. During the session, a number of protesters – adults and children – threw underwear on to the lawmakers from the gallery, with messages “not your business” and “leave my genitals alone” written on them.