I could say, “How did the state I loved the best turn into such an obdurate and ossified place?” But, to be honest, growing up there, we were all aware of the “good ole boy” network and the corruption in politics. It’s not changed in 55 years, except for “Old Sparky” being retired.
Florida’s governor is just a shiny new example of the state’s long history of suppression and authoritarianism, backdoor business dealing, and bigotry. And sadly he’s from my home town; we went to the same high school. It feels “dirty.” I don’t want any connections to him!
… unless I’m running for office against him! I really believe the sheeple have got to turn the state around! To wit:
Florida State Legislature repugnants ended their session on Friday, passing 200 out of the 1828 bills that were filed.
Florida Republicans, who passed a 15-week abortion ban last year yet went on to dominate the 2022 midterms, have not held back.
GOP members filed a six-week abortion ban bill – with exceptions for rape and incest – on the first day of session.
Pro-abortion groups protested loudly and frequently. On one particularly contentious day, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo cleared her chamber’s gallery following numerous angry shouts. That evening, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book and other protesters were arrested outside of Tallahassee City Hall.
Nevertheless, Republican lawmakers quickly pushed the bills through the Capitol.
There was one notable sign, though, that concerns aren’t nonexistent – especially for one with political aspirations beyond Florida.
DeSantis signed the legislation into law hours after it passed – but late at night, and without a press conference. He remained uncharacteristically quiet on the law in the days following.
The 15 week abortion ban is waiting review by the Florida Supreme Court to review it for constitutionality. But they still rushed through the 6 week ban.
And I feel for all the marginalized residents having to deal with “don’t say gay” and don’t be “woke” agenda.
… there’s HB 1521, which criminalizes transgender Floridians from using public bathrooms matching their gender identity.
HB 1069 too passed, which expands last year’s Parental Rights in Education law, called “Don’t Say Gay” by critics. The sweeping measure bars teachers from referring to someone by a pronoun or name that doesn’t correspond to their sex assigned at birth, a measure that LGBTQ advocates say will harm transgender students and teachers.
SB 1580 allows state medical professionals to refuse to carry out health care services if they conflict with their religious beliefs or moral convictions. Opponents worry the measure could lead to medical discrimination, especially against the LBGTQ community.
And SB 254 puts more teeth to Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors and adds some restrictions to the care for adults.
Florida House Republicans also approved SB 266, a bill that bans funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and restricts teaching about race and gender on college campuses.
And then there is SB 7050, which changes the law to make it okay for a sitting governor to run for president without resigning. DeSantis has not signed these yet, but the session just ended Friday. If and when he signs, I’ll bet they are are signed quietly.
Source: DeSantis-dominated legislative session: the priorities that sailed, struggled and sank
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Thank you for reading today's post. Have an InterStellar Day! ~PrP
