DeSantis enlisted support legislators in Florida on key issues
2023.02.10 13:49
DeSantis enlisted support legislators in Florida on key issues
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – In support of some of the Republican’s top priorities ahead of a widely anticipated 2024 White House campaign, Florida’s legislature voted on Friday to expand Governor Ron DeSantis’ controversial effort to relocate migrants anywhere in the United States and to increase the size of his election police force.
The legislation was approved by the Republican-led House of Representatives in a party-line vote. The Republican-majority Senate approved both bills on Wednesday, and they will now be sent to DeSantis’ desk for his signature.
At DeSantis’s urging, state legislators are convening a special session to advance a number of bills. DeSantis, who is considering running against former President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination next year, has established a national profile by igniting hostility among conservatives.
DeSantis claimed he was responding to the failed immigration policies of the federal government when he used taxpayer money to fly dozens of South American migrants from Texas to the wealthy enclave of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Because none of the migrants had been in Florida, the move, which was criticized as a political stunt by Democrats and advocates for immigrants, raised legal concerns. As a private citizen, Democratic state Senator Jason Pizzo has filed a lawsuit against Governor DeSantis, claiming that the governor misappropriated public funds.
DeSantis would be explicitly permitted to transport migrants from any part of the country by the migrants bill that was introduced on Friday. Additionally, it states that money previously spent on flights is “deemed approved,” which may assist in defending the governor against claims of misuse.
Democrats claimed that the program uses vulnerable people as political props, citing allegations that some of the migrants were misled.
On the floor of the state House, Representative Christopher Benjamin declared, “This bill is indefensible.” Stop manipulating people’s lives.
According to Republicans, the bill will assist migrants who voluntarily travel to so-called sanctuary cities.
Representative Juan Fernandez-Barquin stated, “They’re going to get more benefits in a sanctuary state or city than they would get here, and we’re simply providing them with a free ticket.”
Additionally, a bill to strengthen DeSantis’ election police force was approved by Republican lawmakers last year in response to Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
In August, DeSantis announced the first twenty arrests made by the Office of Election Crimes and Security. However, some charges have been dropped due to issues with jurisdiction. By specifically granting the statewide prosecutor the authority to pursue such cases, the new bill aims to address that issue.
The law has been defended by Republicans as a means of maintaining election integrity. Democrats claimed that, in the name of addressing a problem that does not exist, the bill would intimidate voters of color. Studies have demonstrated that voter fraud is extremely uncommon in the United States.
Additionally, DeSantis has pleaded with legislators to support legislation that would grant him control of Walt Disney (NYSE:). World’s special self-governing district, a measure to punish the company for opposing a DeSantis-backed bill last year that prohibited teaching young children about gender identity. It has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by its critics.
After being approved by House Republicans on Thursday, the Disney-related bill is expected to be put to a vote in the Senate later on Friday.
