Metro Jacksonville

DeSantis shocked even his own party with 4 vetoes while signing 94 other laws covering everything from bicyclists riding side by side in a bike lane to denying Key West the right to regulate cruise ship traffic in their town to having to turn in any space junk that falls into your yard.  He also signed a bill requiring schools to notify parents that they can deny their kids access to sex education courses that also include info on sexually transmitted diseases.  [It's well known that sex education promotes abstinence by explaining the potential consequences of sex while denying this education does not so this law will have unintended consequences.]

Vetoes include a law allowing the expunging of childhood criminal records when approved by a DA or police, requiring all drivers to have minimum liability insurance and requiring a civics course in schools.  He said he vetoed that last one because the course would be designed by the Univ. of South Florida and, as such, would promote their "preferred orthodoxy."  Paranoia anyone? 

Note that all of these laws were passed with near unanimous and bipartisan support of the House and Senate so he went against his own party on the vetoes.

Here is a full summary of all the laws that were before him:

https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/06/30/florida-gov-desantis-signs-94-bills-vetoes-4-others/

See article below.

Who does this legislator think he is hurting if he gets his bill passed?  Try our kids. Will DeSantis support it?

Recent reports say 1/2 of educators nationwide are looking to "retire" early.  Locally, there is such a shortage that district administrators are filling in and some teachers are teaching virtually.

With all the crazy education related bills coming out of Tallahassee + COVID + below average pay, it is a wonder anyone wants to teach in this State. 

QuoteAs the legislative session entered its second half, both chambers unveiled their education budget proposals for the coming fiscal year.

Though they adhered largely to the wishes of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the spending plans included some surprises. Perhaps the biggest one came out of the House.

Rep. Randy Fine, who chairs the PreK-12 Appropriations subcommittee, recommended punishing the dozen districts that implemented strict mask mandates against state rule and law. He said they should have $200 million taken away, with that amount to be distributed to the 55 other districts that followed instructions.

The idea could prove a hot potato, because Fine said the money represented the salaries of 1,600-plus district-level officials in those counties. How those school systems, which include some of Florida's largest, might operate without the department directors and other decision makers who currently receive those salaries remains an open question. Leon County superintendent Rocky Hanna called Fine an "childish, immature bully," the Tallahassee Democrat reports....

https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2022/02/07/florida-lawmakers-include-bombshells-perks-in-education-budget-proposals/

DeSantis is the most despicable Governor in the entire  country.

Quote from: avonjax on February 08, 2022, 02:15:31 PM
DeSantis is the most despicable Governor in the entire  country.

Lol... I thought he resigned in NY...

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 08, 2022, 04:43:13 PM

Quote from: avonjax on February 08, 2022, 02:15:31 PM
DeSantis is the most despicable Governor in the entire  country.

Lol... I thought he resigned in NY...

Cuomo comes out on top because he resigned.  DeSantis hasn't.  When he does, he gets to move one notch up from last place  ;D.

The Texas governor should join him as he, arguably, is tied for last place with "de-spicable" De-Santis (an appropriate meme and makes for a nice alliteration!).

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on February 08, 2022, 06:25:05 PM

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 08, 2022, 04:43:13 PM

Quote from: avonjax on February 08, 2022, 02:15:31 PM
DeSantis is the most despicable Governor in the entire  country.

Lol... I thought he resigned in NY...

Cuomo comes out on top because he resigned.  DeSantis hasn't.  When he does, he gets to move one notch up from last place  ;D.

The Texas governor should join him as he, arguably, is tied for last place with "de-spicable" De-Santis (an appropriate meme and makes for a nice alliteration!).

I guess despicable depends on what colored glasses you're using...

Per below, Curry is unnecessarily hooking his wagon up to DeSantis.  If Curry cared about Jax interests, he should be thrilled to have bipartisan Congressional representation to cover his bases.  Say what you want, but Corrine Brown often worked with her GOP counterparts to look out for Jax.  And many Democrats consider moderate Lawson uncomfortably close to the GOP (with donations from many Jax area Republicans) so what reason does Curry have to complain.  Curry's shortsightedness and partisan behavior at all costs is really no surprise.  If the district holds, Curry will surely loose cooperation with Lawson.

Minority voters in Jacksonville that make up, in numbers, the largest portion of the 5th Congressional District will be none-to-happy with Curry's efforts to stick his nose into this redistricting battle to eliminate their "minority" district and effectively nullify their representation. 

So hypocritical as the GOPers' gerrymander to insure majority districts for themselves in spite of a popular voter-approved Florida constitutional amendment that was supposed to overcome efforts to do so.  It is what is wrong with politics today and why so many voters are disenchanted and disenfranchised.

Ideally, all districts are contestable, not favoring one interest over another.  This would insure less extreme candidates on both the left and right.  We are a long way away from that.

QuoteJacksonville mayor Lenny Curry supports Gov. DeSantis's bid for redistricting opinion

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stepped into the heated redistricting battle by joining  Gov. Ron DeSantis in asking the Florida Supreme Court for an advisory opinion on keeping a congressional district that stretches from Jacksonville to west of Tallahassee.

Curry's filing Monday with the Supreme Court puts him at odds with U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, who lashed out at DeSantis last week for seeking an opinion on whether the 5th Congressional District must continue to link minority populations in Jacksonville and the Tallahassee area.

Lawson renewed his criticism Monday in response to briefs filed with the Supreme Court.

"Lenny Curry is a former state chairman of the Republican Party, so I'm not surprised that he needs to toe the party line," Lawson said.....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/02/08/lenny-curry-sides-ron-desantis-over-al-lawson-redistricting/6695096001/

DeSantis is a fool. God willing 2% of Republicans will see him for what he is and we can find a new sensible Governor. His choice of Ladapo as Surgeon General will hopefully be one of the pieces of that puzzle, as I am sure a solid percentage of Florida physicians are Republican.
DeSantis picked arguably the least qualified person possible IN THE ENTIRE US to be the chief medical officer of the state, solely for his political views, not his medical expertise.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/florida-s-top-doctor-refuses-to-say-if-he-s-vaccinated/ar-AATDpeJ?ocid=hplocalnews

Interesting national article on "changing Florida" featuring Jacksonville as a bellwether:

QuoteRed California? Housing woes squeeze Florida's middle class.

Six years ago, Jennifer Taylor counted herself among some 800 people a day moving into a state long considered "California on the cheap": shorts weather in February, a decent house for not that much money, and low taxes.

Taxes are still low, and she can get her shorts out at least once a week after Groundhog Day. But in December, her rent rose by 20%, "from three figures into four figures." And Ms. Taylor, a veterinary tech, says her middle-class dreams are fading as household costs – including the roof over her head – are rising faster than her income.

"I'm looking back and starting to wonder, why did we leave again?" she says. "Are we really better off?"

Not too long ago, a $26,000-a-year income used to guarantee middle-class status here. From Fluffy Landing to Possum Bluff, Florida was "a hopey-dreamy state," as Sarah Palin once called it. But as Ms. Taylor and millions of other middle-class sun seekers are finding: "Florida is becoming expensive," says historian Gary Mormino.

That's true across the country, as housing prices, mortgage rates, and rents climb in lockstep, and available inventory reaches new lows. But the sticker shock is hitting Floridians particularly hard, and it's coming at a time when the state is making headlines for its unexpected plunge into the kind of culture wars the Sunshine State used to avoid.

Florida's current real estate boom cycle is a study of the intersection of middle-class aspirations and emerging values around what Americans really want – and whether they can afford it.

"People who get their money are still going to come into the state, but what does it say when you look more like California than you did Florida?" says former Florida resident Seth McKee, who now teaches political science at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

Liberal California has long been a piñata for conservatives, who see hypocrisy around bromides about diversity and inclusion clashing against an affordable housing crisis fed by NIMBY-ism.

Yet the same dynamics that have caused a crisis in California have been creeping into Florida markets. Tampa, Miami, and St. Augustine – the oldest city in the U.S. – have all seen double-digit price growth for years.

"I just don't see it"

But the boom in Jacksonville suggests deeper currents: Slightly dingy suburbs are suddenly hot properties for flippers, fund investors, and young families seeking increasingly in vain their own postage stamp lot in the sun.

Long considered one of the stinkiest urban areas, given now-shuttered paper mills and turpentine distillers, Jacksonville – the largest city in the U.S. by acreage – smells a lot better these days. It's a 30-minute drive to white beaches and lapping Atlantic waves.

House prices and rents soared nearly 30% from 2020 to 2021 – one of the highest rates in the country. The pace is not far behind the U.S. real estate boomtown champion of Boise, Idaho.

The increases in Jacksonville have touched real lives, real fast, says Eric Hinojos, a principal at First Coast Heroes, which caters to military families relocating to work at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

He recounts how he recently helped a young couple sign papers on a home. But Veterans Affairs balked after it was appraised at $275,000, instead of the $290,000 listing price. The couple appealed and won.

"The military is our huge attraction," says Mr. Hinojos. "We've got some growth, but we're still just Jacksonville – it's not San Francisco or Miami."

Mark Wright, a retired private investigator, owns two houses that he bought at a flush moment in the late 1970s. So far, he sees taxes squeezing his fixed income as valuations rise. Yet he knows he is also sitting on a small fortune.

A few months ago, he tried unsuccessfully to buy a neighbor's bungalow for $70,000. Last week, it sold for $200,000.

Mr. Wright shakes his head at the gap between his perception and reality. "I just don't see it."

The last time Florida saw net out-migration was in the throes of the Great Recession. The state was among those hardest hit by the mortgage crash.

The fundamentals are stronger this time around, says Ken Johnson, a real estate economist at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. That homes are being valued far above where they should be given historical trends, he says, is "scary, but it's not as bad as it was" at the height of the last boom in 2006.

But that emerging status quo is pitting a growing conservative and largely urban, white middle class against the policies and direction of Tallahassee, which is solidly in Republican hands. Housing policy, especially, is tough to implement during a boom cycle, says Mr. Johnson.

A "turnstile electorate"

The state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, hails from Jacksonville. He squeaked by a progressive Democrat named Andrew Gillum in 2018, but has since yanked the ship of state hard to the right.

Aligning himself for a possible presidential run in 2024, he has framed the state as a vanguard in a national struggle over public health mandates, the teaching of race in school, and tax-and-spend policy. Florida is also at the center of evolving struggles of climate change, environmental degradation, and political narratives that are seeking to redefine the meaning of freedom and individualism.

One reason Mr. DeSantis' rhetoric is playing well, says Mr. McKee, the Oklahoma State political scientist, is that Florida is bucking demographic trends seen in neighboring states.

Georgia, for example, voted for Joe Biden in 2020, but Florida, long a swing state, is moving in a concertedly more conservative direction. Voters here gave former President Donald Trump a wider margin in 2020 than in 2016.

And while many African Americans are retracing their families' generational migrations back to the South, the demographics of those moving into Florida tell a different story. "That migration stream is incredibly white," says Mr. McKee.

That doesn't mean an immediate reckoning on rising home prices, given what some political scientists have called the state's unique "turnstile electorate."

"I don't know what effects [rising home values] are going to have in terms of how it translates politically, in part because the electorate has such little memory," says Mr. McKee. "I don't think the typical Florida voter busies themselves with the politics. They got to Florida, they got the unbelievable weather that no one else in [continental] America has except California. There's a focus on just about anything but politics. So when you have an electorate taking bits and pieces of the rhetoric, it just hasn't hurt any of the politicians on the Republican side."

Shortsighted culture wars?

Danielle Bobino, who left a job to care for her kindergarten-aged son, Benjamin, has watched the changes in her home state from her cinder block rental house in Jacksonville Heights, the city's most affordable corner.

She has a nice park with a pond around the corner, where she and her son go to play.

But at the mall, she says she refused to sign a petition to raise the state's minimum wage to $20 an hour. (It is currently $10.)

In her view, raising wages artificially will raise costs. Her rent is already going up this spring when she renews her yearly lease.

But she is not sure that Republicans are paying attention to core issues, either.

In fact, as a lifelong Republican, she says, "I'm embarrassed by what I'm seeing." To her, playing up culture war issues is shortsighted. The problems are out in the open for politicians to try to solve, she says. But instead all she hears is complaining about what's going on elsewhere.

Her concerns point to Florida's more existential problems, says Mr. Mormino, author of the upcoming "Dreams in the New Century: Instant Cities, Shattered Hopes and Florida's Turning Point."

Constant growth, environmental degradation, and climate change are part of the state's broader challenges. Last year, as a result of pollution, Floridians witnessed a historic mass starvation of manatees, the state animal.

Mr. Mormino counts off a list of Florida chroniclers who have decamped: Tampa Bay writer Jeff Klinkenberg now lives amid the snow-dusted peaks of Appalachia; well-known Florida columnist Howard Troxler retired to North Carolina.

Yet Mr. Mormino has decided to stay. He is holding on to what he calls "the hope of the parent – that the future holds promise."

"Florida is still Florida: A trip to the Everglades or to Fort De Soto Park at sunset, it's a remarkable place," he says. "And did we mention there's no state income tax?"

Ms. Taylor, meanwhile, is weighing her options. Going back home to Texas would feel like giving up. But her dream of moving to rural horse country around Ocala seems destined for trouble: Prices are going up there, too.

"Yeah, I'm very concerned about what happens to us next," she says. "Times have gotten hard."

https://news.yahoo.com/red-california-housing-woes-squeeze-154545922.html

That's a good one, Thanks for sharing.

So bridgetroll what's your opinion of DeSantis?

I'm sure DeSantis' wife is vaccinated and boostered. The same for the hypocrite lapado.  Despicable all of them.

Quote from: avonjax on February 10, 2022, 04:15:01 PM
So bridgetroll what's your opinion of DeSantis?

Two posters have described him as despicable and a fool. Clearly he is neither and those descriptions are emotional name calling of someone they disagree with. If I disagree with you does that make you a fool or despicable?  Of course not. We simply disagree.

I have stated more than once that I disagree with some of Desantis decisions. Overall I think he has done a pretty good job during a very difficult time. I think Ladapo is a poor choice but not getting overly excited about it because in reality nothing he does or says has any affect on me.

I do have to say that I have decided to leave Jacksonville... I will have more details shortly...

DeSantis is a mean spirited, authoritarian, power hungry SOB. God help us if he becomes President. 

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 10, 2022, 04:45:38 PM

Quote from: avonjax on February 10, 2022, 04:15:01 PM
So bridgetroll what's your opinion of DeSantis?

Two posters have described him as despicable and a fool. Clearly he is neither and those descriptions are emotional name calling of someone they disagree with. If I disagree with you does that make you a fool or despicable?  Of course not. We simply disagree.

I have stated more than once that I disagree with some of Desantis decisions. Overall I think he has done a pretty good job during a very difficult time. I think Ladapo is a poor choice but not getting overly excited about it because in reality nothing he does or says has any affect on me.

I do have to say that I have decided to leave Jacksonville... I will have more details shortly...

^ Clearly, our politics don't exactly align.  That said, sad to see you go.  I guess Curry and DeSantis were not enough to keep you here :).

The reason people are tough with terminology with the likes of DeSantis and Trump isn't really about simple disagreements.  These people are in powerful positions that enable them to act on their views and impose them on others who don't agree, who are shut out, marginalized and/or ignored in the "decision making" process and/or think such views are harmful, or even dangerous.  About the only thing dissenters can do at that point is try to shame them and hope they care, even a little bit, about their standing and legacy.  Name calling is just a way to compete for their attention.  And, it doesn't help that these characters are the first to do so themselves.

No one is a bigger name caller than Trump.  Among many things, he has, sadly, greatly lowered the bar for discourse in this country.  Look to him first to share your complaint.

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on February 11, 2022, 01:07:47 PM

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 10, 2022, 04:45:38 PM

Quote from: avonjax on February 10, 2022, 04:15:01 PM
So bridgetroll what's your opinion of DeSantis?

Two posters have described him as despicable and a fool. Clearly he is neither and those descriptions are emotional name calling of someone they disagree with. If I disagree with you does that make you a fool or despicable?  Of course not. We simply disagree.

I have stated more than once that I disagree with some of Desantis decisions. Overall I think he has done a pretty good job during a very difficult time. I think Ladapo is a poor choice but not getting overly excited about it because in reality nothing he does or says has any affect on me.

I do have to say that I have decided to leave Jacksonville... I will have more details shortly...

^ Clearly, our politics don't exactly align.  That said, sad to see you go.  I guess Curry and DeSantis were not enough to keep you here :).

The reason people are tough with terminology with the likes of DeSantis and Trump isn't really about simple disagreements.  These people are in powerful positions that enable them to act on their views and impose them on others who don't agree, who are shut out, marginalized and/or ignored in the "decision making" process and/or think such views are harmful, or even dangerous.  About the only thing dissenters can do at that point is try to shame them and hope they care, even a little bit, about their standing and legacy.  Name calling is just a way to compete for their attention.  And, it doesn't help that these characters are the first to do so themselves.

No one is a bigger name caller than Trump.  Among many things, he has, sadly, greatly lowered the bar for discourse in this country.  Look to him first to share your complaint.

Of course you realize that politicians who you support are seen exactly like you described, by those that have differing views. Just for a second... apply the quote below to Pelosi or Schumer, or even Biden.  Imagine not being a democrat in Seattle or Portland or Minneapolis...

QuoteThese people are in powerful positions that enable them to act on their views and impose them on others who don't agree, who are shut out, marginalized and/or ignored in the "decision making" process and/or think such views are harmful, or even dangerous.  About the only thing dissenters can do at that point is try to shame them and hope they care, even a little bit, about their standing and legacy. 

This is exactly the problem with today's political discourse... it his how we get the worst line up of candidates to vote for. There has to be a better way than simply name calling and demonizing the opposition.

DeSantis showing us just how despicable he can be.  Now using innocent public school students, including those in Duval, as political pawns.  And punishing schools for following CDC guidelines even though the districts backed down when the Gov signed his law disallowing mandates.  What else could he ask for?

This is purely politics of hate and partisanship and nothing else.  Any Republican with a conscience should be equally revolted by this action.  I wonder if the parents in Duval who sided with DeSantis will be happy to see their kids suffer nonetheless at his hand.  Be careful what you ask for.

DeSantis should go to work with Putin.  They would get along fabulously.

QuoteFlorida governor: school districts that defied no-mask mandate to lose $200m

Ron DeSantis is backing a bill that would strip education funding from Democratic counties that retained Covid precautions

Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, is backing a controversial proposal to strip $200m in education funding from Democratic counties that defied his executive order last year banning mask mandates in schools.

DeSantis, who is widely seen as a leading heir to Donald Trump in the Republican party, plans to send the money instead to mostly Republican counties that supported him.

The plan, which some analysts believe is almost certainly unconstitutional, was part of a budget bill that passed the Republican-dominated Florida house on Wednesday.
[/b]
It was immediately attacked by teachers unions, school districts and education advocates, who say the penalties will strip further resources from classrooms in a state already in the bottom four of per-student spending nationally.

"This is retaliation by legislators and the governor," said Jabari Hosey, president of the advocacy group Families for Safe Schools and a parent of school-age children in Brevard county.

"We are down over 150 teachers in Brevard right now. We need more social workers, there's a performance gap because of Covid that is still present in our community. We need more funds, more opportunities, more instructors.

"To retaliate and to attack the public school system they are supposed to be promoting is very sad. Frankly, it's embarrassing."

Under the proposal by the Republican state congressman Randy Fine, school districts in the 12 Florida counties that implemented mask mandates last summer in defiance of DeSantis's executive order will forfeit amounts based on their size.

Brevard, where Hosey's children attend school, and which Fine represents, would forgo $4.5m.

Two-thirds of the money would come from south Florida, which votes overwhelmingly Democratic in local, state and national elections. Miami-Dade, the nation's fourth largest district with 357,000 students, would lose $72m; Broward, the sixth largest with 270,000 students, would forfeit about $32m; and Palm Beach, the 10th largest with 193,000 would give up $28m.

Of the others, Alachua, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Orange, Sarasota and Volusia counties, all but three backed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election in Florida, which was won by Donald Trump.

"Following the law is not optional. These school districts broke the law, and they were broken for nothing," a visibly angry Fine told fellow legislators on Wednesday.

He insisted during a turbulent session of the Florida house appropriations committee last week that the state would cut the salaries of administrators earning more than $100,000 and not "reduce funding for any direct educational service or resource that impacts the education of kindergarten through grade 12 students".

He conceded, however, that the policy was intentionally punitive to counties who refused to fall in line with the governor. "It is intended to reward the 55 school districts, the overwhelming majority of which followed our state law and respected the rights of parents over the past year," he said.

Initially, DeSantis, a fierce critic of mask and vaccine mandates, declared himself against the proposal. "My view would be let's not do that," he said in an appearance in Jacksonville on Friday, telling reporters he instead preferred to let parents sue school districts individually if they felt children were harmed by "forced masking".

By Tuesday, however, the governor backtracked, supporting Fine's initiative and parents' rights to file lawsuits. "They should get compensated for academic, social and emotional problems caused by these policies," he said in a tweet.

Having passed the Florida house, the $105bn budget that includes the redistribution of education funds must now be reconciled in the state senate, which also has a Republican majority.

If DeSantis eventually signs it into law, it is likely to face legal challenges. Hosey's group points out that every Florida county with mandates dropped them as soon as the original executive order became law in November, following a lengthy legal back and forth with districts who insisted they followed advice on masking from the Biden administration and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Additionally, they say, the fines target the salaries of school district administrators who only implemented the mask policies, not the school board members who set them.

John J Sullivan, director of legislative affairs for Broward county public schools, told the Guardian in a statement that students would be directly affected by the withholding of funds.

"We are disappointed in the governor's reversal. We hope the senate will not agree to penalize administrators who have worked tirelessly to meet the unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic, always focused on the health and safety of students and teachers," he said.

"This penalty would have a negative impact on the services the district is able to provide to our students."

Administrators in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties have issued similar statements, and educators' unions have condemned the plan.

"We have 165 vacancies and a lot of it has to do with the salaries we can offer to teachers. So that money would mean a lot to our school district and it's a shame that someone would do that. It's totally punitive and politically motivated," Wendy Doromal, president of the Orange county classroom teachers association told WMFE radio.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/20/florida-ron-desantis-schools-mask-mandates-funding-covid

I actually agree with you here with a single notable exception... comparisons to Putin are hyperbolic and childish...

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 21, 2022, 08:46:43 AM
I actually agree with you here with a single notable exception... comparisons to Putin are hyperbolic and childish...

Who would know more than BT when it comes to hyperbole and childishness?

Quote from: Snaketoz on February 21, 2022, 10:07:38 AM

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 21, 2022, 08:46:43 AM
I actually agree with you here with a single notable exception... comparisons to Putin are hyperbolic and childish...

Who would know more than BT when it comes to hyperbole and childishness?

Well you of course...

Meet your new Florida "Surgeon General"....  where politics trumps the health of Florida residents.

QuoteJoseph Ladapo confirmed as Florida surgeon general along party lines

The Doctor is in.

The Florida Senate today gave its seal of approval to Dr. Joseph Ladapo as the state's 6th Surgeon General, a vocal and controversial cheerleader for the pandemic policies of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis since picking him for the job five months ago.

Those policies, however, are out of step with mainstream, conventional medical recommendations and federal policies.

The 24-15 vote along party lines to confirm Ladapo's nomination was a predictable but rocky path for the Harvard-educated, former UCLA research professor, who had full support of Republicans......

....And during his Senate background check conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a former supervisor said they could not recommend Ladapo for the position.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/state/2022/02/23/joseph-ladapo-confirmed-florida-senate-states-surgeon-general/6906838001/?utm_source=jacksonville-News%20Alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_alerts&utm_term=news_alert&utm_content=FLORIDA-JACKSONVILLE-NLETTER01

DeSantis's so called "Don't say Gay" bill (that term is made up by the hitpiece leftist media BTW, but unfortunately has alot of sticking power). The bill which is not even complete yet reads as verbatim from DeSantis "No sexual instruction from grades Pre K to 3". In clown world, this is what is so controversial.

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 08, 2022, 04:43:13 PM

Quote from: avonjax on February 08, 2022, 02:15:31 PM
DeSantis is the most despicable Governor in the entire  country.

Lol... I thought he resigned in NY...

I'm definitely left. They are both horrible humans. I'm not sure that reasonable people have room to disagree on that. (But I am biased)

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on February 20, 2022, 08:28:52 PM
DeSantis showing us just how despicable he can be.  Now using innocent public school students, including those in Duval, as political pawns.  And punishing schools for following CDC guidelines even though the districts backed down when the Gov signed his law disallowing mandates.  What else could he ask for?

This is purely politics of hate and partisanship and nothing else.  Any Republican with a conscience should be equally revolted by this action.  I wonder if the parents in Duval who sided with DeSantis will be happy to see their kids suffer nonetheless at his hand.  Be careful what you ask for.

DeSantis should go to work with Putin.  They would get along fabulously.

Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 21, 2022, 08:46:43 AM
I actually agree with you here with a single notable exception... comparisons to Putin are hyperbolic and childish...

A Federal judge just struck down another DeSantis law for the most part.  Interestingly, he joined a growing chorus of people like me that put DeSantis actions on par with Putin.  The parallels seem obvious to many.  How long before BridgeTroll "smells the coffee.

QuoteWalker also tied the fight for voting rights to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"The current war in Ukraine, in which the Ukrainian people are fighting and dying to maintain the freedoms we take for granted -- namely, the right to have a voice and not to be ruled by a despot -- provides a poignant reminder of both the value and fragility of democracy," the judge wrote.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/31/politics/florida-voting-overhaul-judge-strikes-down/index.html

Meh... hyperbole... next up... annexation of Brunswick... :o ::)

Has Al Lawson commented on the evisceration of his comfortable seat in Congress by DeSantis?  I did not see it.

MM - I found this article where Congressman Lawson talks about the new district.
https://news.yahoo.com/congressman-lawson-unsure-ll-run-152458733.html

Quote
We asked Lawson what that means for his political future and whether he'd hedge his bets running for the new CD 2, which includes Tallahassee.

"Well you know that's something I have to look at. You know, I represented that district for over ten years," said Lawson.

Lawson indicated a decision to run may come down to whether the new maps are blocked by the courts, but he said ultimately this redistricting battle is bigger than his own political future.

"It's not about Al Lawson. It's about African Americans having the opportunity to vote for someone of their choice. You know up here, we have one majority African American county, Gadsden County. So, what are you going to do? Just eliminate what they're gonna do? You know, who they're going to vote for," said Lawson.

Everyone, including the guv'nor, agrees the new Congressional map will be challenged in court. The big question is whether it will be in time to prevent its use in the 2022 election.

Rick "Voldemort" Scott must be rolling over inside his coffin.  He could have done this years ago!

The Dems in Florida are so weak.  It's sad. We are pretty much a fascist state at this point.

Anybody seen Andrew Gillum lately? 

Excellent article.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ron-desantis-is-viktor-orb%c3%a1ns-true-american-disciple/ar-AAWHkza?li=BBnbfcL

Bond agency issues negative warning in wake of Reedy Creek decision.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article260873762.html (https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article260873762.html)

Quote from: MusicMan on April 28, 2022, 11:19:10 AM
Excellent article.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ron-desantis-is-viktor-orb%c3%a1ns-true-american-disciple/ar-AAWHkza?li=BBnbfcL

MusicMan, thanks for posting.  I get bullets here for comparing DeSantis' actions to steps toward authoritarianism and leaders of that ilk.  So it is interesting to see this analysis coming to similar conclusions.

QuoteIn June of last year, Hungary's far-right government passed a law cracking down on LGBTQ rights, including a provision prohibiting instruction on LGBTQ topics in sex education classes.

About nine months later, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill banning "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity" up through third grade. According to some knowledgeable observers on the right, these two bills were closely connected....

....This is not a one-off example. DeSantis, who has built a profile as a pugilistic culture warrior with eyes on the presidency, has steadily put together a policy agenda with strong echoes of Orbán's governing ethos — one in which an allegedly existential cultural threat from the left justifies aggressive uses of state power against the right's enemies.

Most recently, there was DeSantis's crackdown on Disney's special tax exemption; using regulatory powers to punish opposing political speech is one of Orbán's signature moves. On issues ranging from higher education to social media to gerrymandering, DeSantis has followed a trail blazed by Orbán, turning policy into a tool for targeting outgroups while entrenching his party's hold on power....

....There is no doubt that Hungary, an authoritarian state in all but name, is becoming more and more important in the American right-wing imagination.

Tucker Carlson, the most influential media figure in today's GOP, is at the forefront of this effort. In January, Carlson released a "documentary" on Orbán's government lionizing his regime and encouraging Republicans to emulate it. That same month, Donald Trump endorsed Orbán for reelection, calling him a "strong leader" who has "done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary."....

....Orbán's political model has frequently employed a demagogic two-step: stand up a feared or marginalized group as an enemy, then use the supposed need to combat this group's influence to justify punitive policies that also happen to expand his regime's power. Targets have included Muslim immigrants, Jewish financier George Soros, and most recently LGBTQ Hungarians. Hungary's version of the "Don't Say Gay" law — which the government labeled an anti-pedophilia bill — expanded both government control over curricula and its powers to regulate programming on Hungary's airwaves.

You see a similar logic in DeSantis's Florida. Alleging that classroom education on LGBTQ topics somehow threatens children, the governor and his allies pushed through a vague and broadly worded bill that empowers both the state and private citizens to go after schools that teach about LGBTQ identity. A moral panic about alleged LGBTQ "grooming" serves to justify the imposition of ideological controls on public education — and the speech rights of progressive and LGBTQ teachers. (Relatedly, both Orbán and DeSantis have taken aim at curricula and textbooks used in K-12 schools on expressly political-cultural grounds.)

Predictably, the Florida bill provoked a backlash from corporate America — which DeSantis used as a justification to engage in even more Orbán-like behavior....

....On another hot-button culture-war issue, social media, DeSantis has actually outstripped Orbán.

In February 2021, Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga proposed a bill to regulate "the Hungarian operations of large tech companies" to counteract what she earlier called their alleged restrictions on "Christian, conservative, right-wing opinions." While Varga's bill never passed, a version of it became law in Florida just three months after her proposal. Florida Senate Bill 7072 gave state regulators the power to fine social media companies if state authorities determined they improperly "deplatformed" a political candidate for office. (Shortly after its enactment, a court ruled that the bill violated the First Amendment; oral arguments for Florida's appeal are set for mid-May.)....

....These similarities reflect a certain ideological convergence between the post-Trump Republican Party and Fidesz: a belief in the central importance of cultural war and the need to wage it using state power.

Broadly speaking, both Orbán and DeSantis characterize themselves as standing for ordinary citizens against a corrupt and immoral left-wing cosmopolitan elite. These factions are so powerful, in their telling, that aggressive steps must be taken to defeat their influence and defend traditional values. University professors, the LGBTQ community, "woke" corporations, undocumented immigrants, opposition political parties — these are not merely rivals or constituents in a democratic political system, but threats to a traditional way of life....

....Any politics that puts emphasis on punishing political and cultural enemies tends toward illiberal and anti-democratic practices....

....Today, the Hungarian political system is best described as a form of "competitive authoritarianism": a system where leaders do not ban elections or nakedly stuff ballot boxes, but instead hold contests under profoundly unfair background conditions — pervasive state control of the media, for example. By combining repressive tools with a culture-war message that genuinely resonates in Hungary's conservative countryside, the government can maintain a near-absolute hammerlock on power without needing to resort to the most obvious forms of electoral cheating....

....The American federal system delegates huge amounts of power to state governments, enough to severely undermine democracy within a state's boundaries. The United States has a long history of state-level authoritarianism: Jim Crow laws, in addition to being a form of racial apartheid, were also designed to guarantee indefinite Democratic control over Southern states.

In this political context, any diffusion of Hungarian-style culture-war authoritarianism to the state governments is extremely disturbing — potentially accelerating a decade-plus process of democratic decline in Republican-governed states. If DeSantis is in fact creating a blueprint for American Orbánism that Republicans across the country choose to follow, the implications for American democracy could well be disastrous.

Lol... you get bullets for opinion pieces... just like this one. It's not objective... simply one mans opinion that reflects your own. Awesome. Up here in Georgia the republicans are split pro Trump Perdue weirdo's vs a moderate Kemp. So far it's Kemp in a landslide.  He will likely face democrat Abrams for Gov.... Interestingly... when you register to vote your not pigeonholed into a party.

^^ Opinions formed from observation of factual evidence of two parallel political events that are demonstrably similar. Either comment on the validity of that opinion or offer your own. If the facts upon which the opinion is based are flawed feel free to point out such flaws. Dismissing it based on it being a statement of opinion is to likewise condemn your our 'opinion'.

BridgeTroll are you familiar with the the metaphor of the frog in the frying pan?  I think it applies here.

An excess of power concentrated in the executive branch was concern #1 for the founders, hence our system of checks and balances. We've observed the willing surrender of much of the Legislatures' power  to the executive for decades. And executives who overreach are not new phenomena. Abraham Lincoln is quite a classic example. And I believe Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden have all executed actions via the administrative state that should have been legislative decisions.

Whataboutism doesn't excuse individual abuses, so by all means--criticisms of DeSantis' clear desire for more power and hard-right virtue signaling are well deserved. But I would argue we've been the frog in the frying pan for far longer than DeSantis' tenure.

FWIW, the controversial bills this session were passed by the legislature. Policy/moral disagreements are not prima facie evidence of fascism or authoritarianism. The real question should be, why does the legislature feel beholden to acquiesce to DeSantis' demands? Much of his agenda would be impossible without their cooperation. And the legislature has not always been so accommodating to the governor.

Quote from: vicupstate on April 29, 2022, 09:54:31 PM
^^ Opinions formed from observation of factual evidence of two parallel political events that are demonstrably similar. Either comment on the validity of that opinion or offer your own. If the facts upon which the opinion is based are flawed feel free to point out such flaws. Dismissing it based on it being a statement of opinion is to likewise condemn your our 'opinion'.

BridgeTroll are you familiar with the the metaphor of the frog in the frying pan?  I think it applies here.

Ditto, Vicupstate :).  When facts get in the way, some just like to respond with unsupported, inflammatory, emotionally charging, name calling and/or diversionary rhetoric.  That is how we got to the current state of affairs and it is dangerous.

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 29, 2022, 11:48:56 PM

Quote from: vicupstate on April 29, 2022, 09:54:31 PM
^^ Opinions formed from observation of factual evidence of two parallel political events that are demonstrably similar. Either comment on the validity of that opinion or offer your own. If the facts upon which the opinion is based are flawed feel free to point out such flaws. Dismissing it based on it being a statement of opinion is to likewise condemn your our 'opinion'.

BridgeTroll are you familiar with the the metaphor of the frog in the frying pan?  I think it applies here.

Ditto, Vicupstate :).  When facts get in the way, some just like to respond with unsupported, inflammatory, emotionally charging, name calling and/or diversionary rhetoric.  That is how we got to the current state of affairs and it is dangerous.

You mean like calling people Nazi's and fascists? I certainly agree with you there JLT... Just to be clear though... I also happen to disagree with most of Desantis policies recently... but that certainly doesn't make him a fascist or even authoritarian... he is exercising the powers he was elected with by the people of the state.  I would expect a democrat to exercise his executive powers in a similar fashion.

Regarding the validity of the author... as soon as he refers to legislation by the inflammatory and incorrect "don't say gay bill" he instantly losses credibility because it is designed to obfuscate the actual facts regarding the bill... it is also intellectually lazy.  It's an opinion piece... clearly not objective... and matches your position... awesome. 

DeSantis actually did something good for all Floridians last week, or at least he tried. He vetoed the Utility Lobby legislation to undermine rooftop solar. Only problem is, in the Republican rush to burn textbooks, he threw the instruction manual for rooftop solar into the burn pile.

Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 30, 2022, 06:39:42 AM
.. he is exercising the powers he was elected with by the people of the state.  I would expect a democrat to exercise his executive powers in a similar fashion.

I would quibble with this.  DeSantis barely won the election and, taking into account voter turnout (shame on those who don't vote!), he was elected with far less than 50% of those he is supposed to serve.  Many, if not most of his "initiatives" are not supported by the majority of the populace so one can't say he is "exercising his powers" in the interest of the State... more in his own personal interest to run for higher office.  Given the effective workings of our primary system, he only caters to the minority of hard core voters who are much further right than the greater population.

Did you note, by the way, DeSantis & Co. preserving the divisive electoral system we have by having just passed the "election policing" bill that includes barring nonpartisan style rank choice voting for any election in the State, overriding even local communities adopting it?  Just further proves he has no interest in serving all the people of this State.

I would quibble with your quibble... :)  regardless of the margin of victory (I don't recall that as a factor of governance...) he is doing exactly what his opponent would have done with regards to exercising his executive powers... He isn't creating these powers out of thin air like a true authoritarian autocrat.  You simply disagree with him...

Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 30, 2022, 03:57:22 PM
I would quibble with your quibble... :)  regardless of the margin of victory (I don't recall that as a factor of governance...) he is doing exactly what his opponent would have done with regards to exercising his executive powers... He isn't creating these powers out of thin air like a true authoritarian autocrat.  You simply disagree with him...

I don't know of any modern Florida governors who have used their "executive powers" as abusively as DeSantis has.  Instead of dealing with substantive issues like property insurance, environment, resiliency, COVID, food insecurity, Medicaid, real education improvement, housing affordability, bringing people together, climate change, etc. he is using his "powers" to divide the populous over nonsense, overblown or overstated issues such as "wokeness", classroom and university speech, chastising those who demonstrate against him, election police, election "reform," a State army,  immigration at the Texas border, demonizing oppressed persons, shutting down minority and dissenting participation in government, wading into abortion rights, now promising "constitutional carry" gun rights, fighting with Disney, constraining medical professionals, dictating to local school boards, gutting home rule, trying to control speech on privately run social media, etc., much of which will be undone by the courts or future administrations.  Little, if any, of his "legacy" will stand the test of time making his time in office a waste of taxpayer dollars and full of missed opportunities to truly do good.

Along with endless self promotion, most of his time is used to throw red meat to his "base" so he can run for president.  That's not opinion, it is a fact.  That is not what he was elected to do, period, which will make him, in the eyes of history, among Florida's worst governors (and, we have had some pretty bad ones!). 

He has abused absolutely nothing.  Except perhaps your sanity. 

Pure sour grapes... his education record is outstanding... teacher pay raises, per pupil spending highest ever, increased pre-order spending, huge increases in school choice spending and much more.

Secured nearly a half billion in additional environmental protections and much more...

The list is pretty long... I simply don't have the time or ambition to argue your sour grapes.

I suggest you don't vote for him...

I'd wager there are at least 1,000,000 carpet baggers voting illegally in Florida. Some are Democrats, but a big majority are Republicans.  Like my mother in law. She has a house in Boca but lives in Illinois. She spends about 4 months a year here and files taxes and votes here. She's a Republican who lost interest in voting in Democratic Illinois.  So she moved her legal life here but keeps her social life up there. I've worked in Naples, a So FLA Republican stronghold, long enough to know 70% of it's residents are in fact NOT residents. They are rich, old and white. They have been the ones putting people like Rick Scott and DeSantis into office. They come from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana .......  They show up at Thanksgiving and leave at Easter. Now that we have an election police I wonder if they'll start requiring these carpet baggers to actually satisfy the residency requirement? Probably not, many people don't care.  But it's never been easier to prove. Just ask for their Cell phone records.  Until Democrats start recruiting out of state Demo's to move here in much larger numbers (AND VOTE), we're at the mercy of these folks.   

Any proof, pseudo proof, or anything to back up such a reckless wager?

Quote from: BridgeTroll on May 01, 2022, 07:50:23 AM
He has abused absolutely nothing.  Except perhaps your sanity. 

Pure sour grapes... his education record is outstanding... teacher pay raises, per pupil spending highest ever, increased pre-order spending, huge increases in school choice spending and much more.

Secured nearly a half billion in additional environmental protections and much more...

The list is pretty long... I simply don't have the time or ambition to argue your sour grapes.

I suggest you don't vote for him...

No point in continuing to argue.  We both know where each other stands.  I could respond with comments about your points being lipstick on a pig but it isn't going to change your mind so we will just call a ceasefire... for now  8).

Sure thing... but a huge difference between you and I... I have repeatedly said that I have issues with many DeSantis policies... you on the other hand... are a partisan democrat who will not or cannot find anything positive to say.  You cannot even acknowledge the "lipstick"... the very definition of ideologue.

^ Hey, I will throw you a few bones:

While I have far more issues than not with DeSantis over education policies, anytime someone is willing to get more money for our teachers, I am happy.

I also am happy he vetoed the net metering plan promoted by FPL and the dollars he is spending on the Everglades.

Unfortunately, liking a handful out of hundreds of actions isn't a sufficient batting ratio to get me on his side  8).  And, it isn't that I don't just like his actions, it is that so many are extreme, harmful, baiting and/or unnecessarily divisive.  Basically, pouring gasoline on a fire.

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 02, 2022, 12:14:05 PM
^ Hey, I will throw you a few bones:

While I have far more issues than not with DeSantis over education policies, anytime someone is willing to get more money for out teachers, I am happy.

I also am happy he vetoed the net metering plan promoted by FPL and the dollars he is spending on the Everglades.

Unfortunately, liking a handful out of hundreds of actions isn't a sufficient batting ratio to get me on his side  8).  And, it isn't that I don't just like his actions, it is that so many are extreme, harmful, baiting and/or unnecessarily divisive.  Basically, pouring gasoline on a fire.

I hear ya... and agree with some of your complaints. My primary issue with you and a few others are the over the top comparisons to Putin or Hitler, or other some such extreme rhetoric. It's unnecessary and frankly grossly incorrect. For all of his faults or disagreement with he is hardly a nazi or even a authoritarian autocrat. He is a right of center duly elected republican governor.  I voted for him but wouldn't again. Some day perhaps the democrats or an independent will put up a decent candidate for me...

Quote from: MusicMan on May 01, 2022, 01:12:59 PM
I'd wager there are at least 1,000,000 carpet baggers voting illegally in Florida. Some are Democrats, but a big majority are Republicans.  Like my mother in law. She has a house in Boca but lives in Illinois. She spends about 4 months a year here and files taxes and votes here. She's a Republican who lost interest in voting in Democratic Illinois.  So she moved her legal life here but keeps her social life up there. I've worked in Naples, a So FLA Republican stronghold, long enough to know 70% of it's residents are in fact NOT residents. They are rich, old and white. They have been the ones putting people like Rick Scott and DeSantis into office. They come from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana .......  They show up at Thanksgiving and leave at Easter. Now that we have an election police I wonder if they'll start requiring these carpet baggers to actually satisfy the residency requirement? Probably not, many people don't care.  But it's never been easier to prove. Just ask for their Cell phone records.  Until Democrats start recruiting out of state Demo's to move here in much larger numbers (AND VOTE), we're at the mercy of these folks.

I couldn't have said it better myself.  My wife and I belong to a country club in Nassau County.  99% of the residents/members are from Northern states.  They all say they moved here because the taxes are low and are tired of "liberal politics" where they came from.  These people enjoyed the benefits of higher pay, better educational systems, lower crime, healthcare, and quality of life.  Now they are voting strictly for right wing politicians here. DeSantis is working hard to turn us into places like Kentucky or Mississippi, with the help of those who never had to endure those states' miserable conditions.

Lol... NEWSFLASH... retirees are moving to Florida.  You left off lower cost of living, warm climate and golf year round...lol

Lower cost of living?  That's 100% debatable. Our insurance rates (cars, homes, etc..) and RE taxes offset a lot of the supposed savings from a "no tax" state, unless of course your an NFL player.

Warm climate. Yes, but the snowbirds aren't here to enjoy the 100 consecutive days in the 90's we endure each summer.

Golf? Have you been to a golf course lately?  Be honest, it's a rich white mans sport.  Plumbers and pipefitters, mechanics and brick layers, lawn maintenance people, work for a living. They don't golf. They might boat. But the vast majority, they don't golf.

Naples and similar GOP safe cities are ghost towns in the summer, except for the browned skinned folk (and middle class others) who stay behind to take care of their yards.

According to U.S. News and World Report: Florida is ranked 25th in cost of living and 41st in housing affordability.  Overall- 31st.

Well... there you go then.  They come to Florida to vote.  Silly me.  :o

Seven of ten... Florida...
https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-retire

Most popular state...
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/020117/most-popular-states-retire-us.asp

Number two on this list...
https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/best-and-worst-states-for-retirement/

Number one again...
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/29/the-10-best-states-in-the-us-to-spend-your-retirement-in-2022.html

Oddly... not one of these sites lists voting as a reason to retire to Florida. Clearly they need to consult with MM and snaketoz to get real...  ;D ;) ::)

They will have to pay my consultation fee. ;)

Quote from: Snaketoz on May 03, 2022, 07:35:07 PM
They will have to pay my consultation fee. ;)

Only fair...  :)

From a travel blog for Naples-Marci Island:

The busiest time of the year on Marco Island
May 30, 2018 | Paddle Marco

Spread the love
The busy months
The busy season on Marco Island and Naples, Florida.
If you have ever planned a vacation to southwest Florida, you probably planned it when you and your family had some time off.  Most american families get Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter off.  Those just happen to be the 3 busiest holidays and weeks of the year on Marco Island and Naples, Florida.

Eco-tour operators, hotels, restaurants and local businesses all rely on "Season" which typically runs from Thanksgiving through Easter on Marco Island and peaks during the middle of March.  The population of Marco Island is around 15,000 full-time residents and that will almost quadruple to 55,000 people during March and April.  ...but why?  There are 2 big reasons:

1) Spring Break:
Every elementary and high school up north have a different week that they have spring break vacation on.  So eco-tour operators, restaurants, shops and businesses will be extremely busy for at least 6 weeks from the beginning of March through the middle of April.  Easter also plays an important role as it's on a different date every year, so that can also shorten up or lengthen the tail-end of busy season in April.  Usually around April 23rd, all the spring breakers have headed north to go back to school and Marco Island returns to normal.

2) Snowbirds:
Usually when the first big snow storm hits up north, retirees or people that have a secondary home on Marco Island and Naples, will stay 4-5 months to here to avoid the harsh winters up north.  November through April temperatures on Marco Island and Naples are very accommodating.  Usually in the 70's with low humidity and very little rain.  You know season has begun when all the transport semi-trucks arrive with all the white Cadillacs on them."


Not a political blog, just the truth. 

But nothing about voting?  Weird...

From "A Few Good Men":


"Is there anything in the operations manual about where the mess hall is?"

"No sir"

"Then how do you find it?"

"Follow the crowd at chow time."

I'm telling you what I have first hand knowledge of. If you don't that's not my problem.

Yes, the snowbird voting effect is real and is not new to FL.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-12-15-9612140501-story.html?msclkid=b53bdb11cbd511ec88fcc95e5575772e (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-12-15-9612140501-story.html?msclkid=b53bdb11cbd511ec88fcc95e5575772e)

And yes, even under terroristic reign of the evil Republican DeSantis administration, that known issue is in fact investigated and prosecuted:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-voting-twice-crackdown-20211217-kzh3264sprefrfrew5xjeiwgtu-story.html (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-voting-twice-crackdown-20211217-kzh3264sprefrfrew5xjeiwgtu-story.html)

Excerpts from article available without paywall (pardon the source, but it's almost exclusively quotes from the Sentinel article):

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/12/19/florida-voting-officials-investigating-snowbird-voter-fraud-state/?msclkid=41823218cbd611ec8bfc439505d137c8 (https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/12/19/florida-voting-officials-investigating-snowbird-voter-fraud-state/?msclkid=41823218cbd611ec8bfc439505d137c8)

Quote from: jaxoNOLE on May 04, 2022, 02:22:11 PM
Yes, the snowbird voting effect is real and is not new to FL.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-12-15-9612140501-story.html?msclkid=b53bdb11cbd511ec88fcc95e5575772e (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-12-15-9612140501-story.html?msclkid=b53bdb11cbd511ec88fcc95e5575772e)

And yes, even under terroristic reign of the evil Republican DeSantis administration, that known issue is in fact investigated and prosecuted:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-voting-twice-crackdown-20211217-kzh3264sprefrfrew5xjeiwgtu-story.html (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-voting-twice-crackdown-20211217-kzh3264sprefrfrew5xjeiwgtu-story.html)

Excerpts from article available without paywall (pardon the source, but it's almost exclusively quotes from the Sentinel article):

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/12/19/florida-voting-officials-investigating-snowbird-voter-fraud-state/?msclkid=41823218cbd611ec8bfc439505d137c8 (https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/12/19/florida-voting-officials-investigating-snowbird-voter-fraud-state/?msclkid=41823218cbd611ec8bfc439505d137c8)

Thanks for the post.  What many of us suspected, but now have in writing.

I guess the good news is snowbirds voting in Florida seems to be bipartisan... I can't help but think of the irony. Trump followers claim voter fraud... democrats say there isn't any or it's not significant yet here we are. Lol.  Additionally ironic is that republicans have been pushing for better enforcement of voter ID to help prevent fraud but are stymied at every turn by democrats who claim there is no fraud... perhaps we have found a bipartisan issue that everyone agrees needs to be corrected...

Hilarious...  :) 8)

BT, I don't feel like all the snowbirds are voting in a way that breaks the law.  I think they vote the way they would vote up North, but do it here.  It may affect the way Florida is run, but they may not feel the full results of their vote when they're back up North. We full timers feel the results all year.  They could vote against taxing newcomers, condo dwellers, new developments, saving themselves money, but making us have to pay more.

Quote from: Snaketoz on May 04, 2022, 05:12:11 PM
BT, I don't feel like all the snowbirds are voting in a way that breaks the law.  I think they vote the way they would vote up North, but do it here.  It may affect the way Florida is run, but they may not feel the full results of their vote when they're back up North. We full timers feel the results all year.  They could vote against taxing newcomers, condo dwellers, new developments, saving themselves money, but making us have to pay more.

Ah... I see where you are coming from. I certainly understand your concern and I agree that it is doubtful these folks are intentionally breaking the law to influence elections. If I were still a Florida resident I would support a strengthening of residency status with regards to voting.  How would you suggest enforcement?  Without a national database or voter registration this is going to be an issue in "retirement " states. 

Some sort of national registration sounds like a good idea.  Most people of working/voting age have a social security card.  Why can't voting info/registration be included?  If we had a national voter data bank we could help keep people from voting in more than one polling place.  It's very likely (I think) that there are a lot of people voting more than in one jurisdiction.

Quote from: Snaketoz on May 04, 2022, 07:27:22 PM
Some sort of national registration sounds like a good idea.  Most people of working/voting age have a social security card.  Why can't voting info/registration be included?  If we had a national voter data bank we could help keep people from voting in more than one polling place.  It's very likely (I think) that there are a lot of people voting more than in one jurisdiction.

^ Exhibit A:  Mark Meadows, Trump's Chief of Staff.  I believe, at last count, he was registered in 3 states.  No. Carolina just "de-registered" him.  No wonder Trump is an "expert" on voter fraud :).

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 04, 2022, 07:43:39 PM

Quote from: Snaketoz on May 04, 2022, 07:27:22 PM
Some sort of national registration sounds like a good idea.  Most people of working/voting age have a social security card.  Why can't voting info/registration be included?  If we had a national voter data bank we could help keep people from voting in more than one polling place.  It's very likely (I think) that there are a lot of people voting more than in one jurisdiction.

^ Exhibit A:  Mark Meadows, Trump's Chief of Staff.  I believe, at last count, he was registered in 3 states.  No. Carolina just "de-registered" him.  No wonder Trump is an "expert" on voter fraud :).

It is unlikely you will find republicans against the tightening of voter registration... it is the democrats who oppose it... hey JLT... when you post an allegation like that you really should post a link to back it up...

[https://www.npr.org/2021/09/09/1035687247/florida-anti-riot-law-ron-desantis-george-floyd-black-lives-matter-protests (http://[https://www.npr.org/2021/09/09/1035687247/florida-anti-riot-law-ron-desantis-george-floyd-black-lives-matter-protests)


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida's new "anti-riot" law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as a way to quell violent protests is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

The 90-page decision by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee found the recently-enacted law "vague and overbroad" and amounted to an assault on First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly as well as the Constitution's due process protections.

People engaged in peaceful protest or innocently in the same area when a demonstration turned violent could face criminal charges and stiff penalties under the law, the judge said.

A key issue is defining what the word "riot" means in the statute. Walker noted that past Florida laws sought to prevent demonstrations that could threaten segregationist Jim Crow-era practices.

"If this court does not enjoin the statute's enforcement, the lawless actions of a few rogue individuals could effectively criminalize the protected speech of hundreds, if not thousands, of law-abiding Floridians," Walker wrote.

"It unfortunately takes only a handful of bad actors to transform a peaceful protest into a violent public disturbance," the judge added.

DeSantis said during an appearance in New Port Richey that the state will take its case to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The governor called the ruling by Walker a "foreordained conclusion" and has said he frequently prevails when appealing Tallahassee judges' orders.

The law, also known as HB1, stiffens penalties for crimes committed during a riot or violent protest. It allows authorities to detain arrested protesters until a first court appearance and establishes new felonies for organizing or participating in a violent demonstration.

It also makes it a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to destroy or demolish a memorial, plaque, flag, painting, structure or other object that commemorates historical people or events.

Meh... apparently this was expected.

Quote from: BridgeTroll on May 05, 2022, 04:48:35 PM
Meh... apparently this was expected.

I'm not a lawyer, but a JUDGE agrees with me and others on here about what this bill is and what it does. What he is saying it does should disturb the hell out of anyone that doesn't what to live in an authoritarian nation.   

This is by no means the first time a major FL bill has been found unconstitutional. Maybe they need to hire some lawyers in Tallahassee before they pass these bills.   

Quote from: BridgeTroll on May 05, 2022, 06:46:24 AM

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 04, 2022, 07:43:39 PM

Quote from: Snaketoz on May 04, 2022, 07:27:22 PM
Some sort of national registration sounds like a good idea.  Most people of working/voting age have a social security card.  Why can't voting info/registration be included?  If we had a national voter data bank we could help keep people from voting in more than one polling place.  It's very likely (I think) that there are a lot of people voting more than in one jurisdiction.

^ Exhibit A:  Mark Meadows, Trump's Chief of Staff.  I believe, at last count, he was registered in 3 states.  No. Carolina just "de-registered" him.  No wonder Trump is an "expert" on voter fraud :).

.... hey JLT... when you post an allegation like that you really should post a link to back it up...

BT, I guess, somehow, Fox News didn't cover this.  What a surprise. :).  And, these are GOP friendly states. 

Here you go: 

QuoteOfficials: Mark Meadows was registered to vote in 3 states
Meg KinnardAssociated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mark Meadows — a former chief of staff to President Donald Trump who was removed from North Carolina voter rolls earlier this month — is still a registered voter in two other states, according to officials and a published report.

Chris Whitmire, a spokesperson for the South Carolina Elections Commission, told The Associated Press the former Republican congressman and his wife registered as voters in the state in March 2022.

"That's when he became active," Whitmire said, noting that neither Meadows had yet cast a vote in the state. "From our perspective, it just looks like any new South Carolina voter."

The South Carolina registration was first reported by The Washington Post, which noted that Meadows had been a registered voter simultaneously in three states — the Carolinas and Virginia — until North Carolina removed him from its rolls earlier this month. Meadows remains a registered Virginia voter, the paper reported. An email sent by The Associated Press to the Virginia Department of Elections was not immediately returned Friday.

Mark and Debra Meadows bought a home on picturesque Lake Keowee for $1.6 million in July, according to records for the property, which was listed on their South Carolina voter registration records.

The former North Carolina congressman appeared in South Carolina earlier this week with members of the state Legislature's newly formed Freedom Caucus, an offshoot of a similar conservative group that Meadows helped found on the federal level while serving in the U.S. House.

A representative for Meadows declined to comment Friday on the South Carolina voter registration.

Public records indicate Meadows had been registered to vote in Virginia and North Carolina, where he listed a mobile home that he never owned — and may never have visited — weeks before casting an absentee 2020 presidential election ballot in the state. Trump, for whom Meadows was serving as chief of staff in Washington at the time, won the battleground state by just over 1 percentage point.

Last month, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein's office asked the State Bureau of Investigation to investigate.

About a year after he registered in North Carolina, Meadows registered to vote in Alexandria, Virginia, just weeks before Virginia's high-profile governor's election last fall, the records indicate.

Meadows frequently raised the prospect of voter fraud before the 2020 presidential election — as polls showed Trump trailing now-President Joe Biden — and in the months after Trump's loss, to suggest Biden was not the legitimate winner.

Judges, election officials in both parties and Trump's own attorney general have concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Experts point to isolated incidents of intentional or unintentional violations of voter laws in every election.

Whitmire, the South Carolina elections spokesman, said that when he registered with South Carolina, Meadows should have notified any other jurisdictions of his new status.

Through the Electronic Registration Information Center, a consortium through which states exchange data about voter registration, Whitmire also said officials periodically pull voter lists and remove those who have more recently registered in a new state.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/25/mark-meadows-voter-registration-3-states/7444718001/

And...

QuoteAmid election fraud investigation, NC removes Mark Meadows from voter rolls
Joel Burgess
Asheville Citizen Times

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Mark Meadows has been removed from North Carolina's voter rolls, a move made as the State Bureau of Investigation continues a probe into allegations the former White House chief of staff committed election fraud.

Macon County Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault confirmed April 12 that she had removed Meadows the prior day from the county's active voter list. Thibault said she consulted N.C. Board of Elections staff in Raleigh after finding records that Meadows was registered both in Virginia and North Carolina.

"What I found was that he was also registered in the state of Virginia. And he voted in a 2021 election. The last election he voted in Macon County was in 2020," she said.

The state law under which he was removed was General Statute 163-57, which says, "if a person goes into another state, county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district, or into the District of Columbia, and while there exercises the right of a citizen by voting in an election, that person shall be considered to have lost residence in that State, county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district from which that person removed."

Meadows spokesperson Ben Williamson did not respond to a request for comment.

Meadows, an ex-Asheville and Western North Carolina congressman – former top staffer for President Donald Trump and a leading proponent of the false claim that Trump lost the election due to widespread fraud – has not commented on the allegations since news broke in March that he registered to vote at a single-wide mobile home in Macon County where there is no evidence he ever lived. Meadows voted absentee using that address in the 2020 general election.

SBI spokesperson Anjanette Grube did not immediately respond to a message asking if the change in registration had any significance to the investigation.

Thibault said Virginia records show that when Meadows registered in that state, he did not include information about his Macon County registration. Because of that, Virginia election officials did not notify N.C. officials about the double registration, she said.

It is a normal practice to remove voters in such a way, Thibault said.

The registration of Meadows' wife Debra remains active for the Scaly Mountain, N.C., address, which neither she nor her husband ever owned.

News first broke of the unlikely voter address with March 6 New Yorker story that cited interviews with neighbors, the owner and former owner who said Debra Meadows rented the home and stayed there a few nights, but Mark Meadows was never seen there.

Macon County Republican voters interviewed by the Citizen Times expressed skepticism a powerful member of the president's staff lived in the small home with a rusted roof.

An N.C. woman who said she was prosecuted for mistakenly voting while on probation, meanwhile, called for Meadows to face a similar fate.

On March 17, the SBI announced its investigation. That followed a letter from District Attorney Ashley Hornsby-Welch — whose responsibilities include Macon County — to the N.C. Department of Justice recusing herself from the matter because of a campaign contribution she received from Meadows.

More recently, Meadows, a top member of the Conservative Partnership Institute, has stopped speaking at CPI-sponsored statewide Election Integrity Summits. The summits show how to organize "citizen election integrity task forces" to check on people's voter records to ensure they live where they have registered.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/13/mark-meadows-removed-nc-voter-rolls/7302536001/

Lol... I haven't watched a minute of fox news in years.(But apparently you do...)  Sounds like the system works.  To be honest I am probably still registered to vote in Florida. There really doesn't seem to be a automatic method of de registering and when moving... that might be really low on the old priority list. I  certainly never gave it a thought...

Sooo... I  just checked and sure enough... I am still a registered NPA voter in Duval. Apparently simply registering in a new state doesn't clear you from the old. I actually tried to un register or de register and there doesn't seem to be a mechanism to do it.  Hell... I may be voter eligible in multiple states...lol...

States attempt to keep up-to-date by performing regular voter roll purges, but like everything these days, even that activity stirs controversy. The following position piece is opinion, but lays out arguments on both sides:

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/voting-rights/-use-it-or-lose-it---the-problem-of-purges-from-the-registration0/
(https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/voting-rights/-use-it-or-lose-it---the-problem-of-purges-from-the-registration0/)

Being registered to vote in multiple jurisdictions is not evidence of intent to commit fraud.

DeSantis struck down again.  Does anyone have a scorecard of how many lawsuits DeSantis & Co. have lost so far?  Such a waste of taxpayer dollars.

QuoteDeSantis-appointed judge signals Florida's congressional map is unconstitutional for diminishing Black representation

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/11/politics/florida-desantis-congressional-map/index.html

What's the status of this? Thought it was stayed....

The judge lifted the stay so SOEs can prepare for the August primary using the judge's districts - which are very similar to the existing lines. The Governor's office will appeal, and the various voting rights groups who filed the suit are petitioning to go directly to the Florida Supreme Court.
https://jaxtrib.org/2022/05/16/florida-judge-orders-officials-to-use-new-congressional-redistricting-map-florida-redistricting-lawsuit/?utm_source=The+Tributary&utm_campaign=f97a5c5aa3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_05_17_06_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7fb175aded-f97a5c5aa3-573209218&mc_cid=f97a5c5aa3&mc_eid=7d0bafa35c

Quote
A Tallahassee judge lifted a stay in a Florida redistricting lawsuit, ordering election officials to begin using a map that preserves a Black congressional district in North Florida.

The new map, drawn by a Harvard professor, only affects the North Florida congressional districts, re-instating a Duval-to-Gadsden 5th Congressional District to protect Black voters' ability to elect their preferred candidates.

Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith ordered the new map last Wednesday, saying that he found "the enacted map is unconstitutional because it diminishes African Americans' ability to elect candidates of their choice."

"Fundamental constitutional rights are at stake and time is both short and of the essence," Smith wrote in his order lifting the automatic stay. "There are no do-overs when it comes to elections; in essence, there is no remedy for a Florida voter once their constitutional rights have been infringed."

"Here, the issue is the Legislature's compliance with the state constitution—not some run-of-the-mill executive branch planning decision!" he wrote. "Thus, the Secretary of State is due no deference."

Thank you.

On an unrelated/related note, the appojntment of Cord Byrd to SecofState is extremely alarming. He will be in charge of elections this Fall. He is a hard core, very right conservative, in a position whose very nature needs an individual who is above the fray.

According to AG Gancarski, "DeSantis wants a fighter in place. And if things get weird..., the Governor has his guy, someone who certainly not have gotten to this position any other way and therefore will demonstrate loyalty, and then some." 

He will also be in charge of the "election police". 

Quote from: MusicMan on May 17, 2022, 10:47:23 AM
Thank you.

On an unrelated/related note, the appojntment of Cord Byrd to SecofState is extremely alarming. He will be in charge of elections this Fall. He is a hard core, very right conservative, in a position whose very nature needs an individual who is above the fray.

According to AG Gancarski, "DeSantis wants a fighter in place. And if things get weird..., the Governor has his guy, someone who certainly not have gotten to this position any other way and therefore will demonstrate loyalty, and then some." 

He will also be in charge of the "election police".

Republicans have been very successful in using lies about a 'stolen election' to put mechanisms in place to actually steal the next election.

Every accusation is an admission.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/05/19/gov-desantis-signs-legislation-cracking-down-on-opioid-dealers-traffickers/

DeSantis loses again in court.  Just wasting taxpayer dollars and avoiding the more serious issues this state should be working on.

QuoteAn appeals court finds Florida's social media law unconstitutional

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Florida law intended to punish social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled Monday, dealing a major victory to companies who had been accused by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis of discriminating against conservative thought.

A three-judge panel of the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously concluded that it was overreach for DeSantis and the Republican-led Florida Legislature to tell the social media companies how to conduct their work under the Constitution's free speech guarantee.

"Put simply, with minor exceptions, the government can't tell a private person or entity what to say or how to say it," said Circuit Judge Kevin Newsom, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, in the opinion. "We hold that it is substantially likely that social media companies — even the biggest ones — are private actors whose rights the First Amendment protects."

The ruling upholds a similar decision by a Florida federal district judge on the law, which was signed by DeSantis in 2021. It was part of an overall conservative effort to portray social media companies as generally liberal in outlook and hostile to ideas outside of that viewpoint, especially from the political right....

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/23/1100831545/appeals-court-florida-social-media-law-unconstitutional-desantis

Disney announces that they are now holding back moving 2,000 jobs to Florida until at least 2026.  Connect the dots :).

QuoteDisney Delays Relocation of Thousands of Jobs to Florida Until 2026

Disney has pushed back the timeline to relocate thousands of jobs from California to Florida amid its fight over Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill.

The company's timeline to move around 2,000 workers in its parks, experiences and products division — which includes a number of Imagineering workers, who are responsible for designing and engineering the company's theme parks and rides — has been pushed to 2026, the company confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. The Los Angeles Times had previously reported that the move was expected to take conclude by the end of 2022 or early 2023.

In a statement, Disney spokesperson Jacquee Wahler said that though "a growing number of employees" whose roles will ultimately be based at a campus in the Lake Nona region in Orlando have already made the move, "we also want to continue to provide flexibility to those relocating, especially given the anticipated completion date of the campus is now in 2026." Wahler added, "Therefore, where possible, we are aligning the relocation period with the campus completion."

The news arrives just a few months after Republican legislators in Florida passed a bill ending the company's special purpose district in June 2023, which effectively allows Disney to self-govern on land occupied by the Walt Disney World Resort. In late April, that special purpose district, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, argued that Florida can't dissolve the district until bond debt is paid off and that it "expects to explore its options while continuing its present operations."

Disney has not filed a lawsuit, but in early May taxpayers who live near Walt Disney World sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the move. A judge dismissed the taxpayer lawsuit in mid-May, but a similar case was refiled in May in state court.

Florida lawmakers' action to end the district for Disney followed soon after the company took a stand in opposition to a Florida law banning discussion in the classroom of sexual orientation and gender from kindergarten through the third grade, and has been largely seen as retaliatory. Disney's delay in making that statement caused its own internal issues, prompting employee organization and a walkout in late March. One of the demands of walkout organizers to Disney leadership to "regain the trust of the LGBTQIA+ community and employees" was to end "any efforts to move employees to Florida office locations, ensuring employee safety and employment retention."

News first emerged of the relocation of Disney jobs in the parks, experiences and products division in the summer of 2021. The Orlando Sentinel has reported that Disney could receive $570 million in state tax breaks with the construction of its new campus in the Lake Nona region.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-delays-relocation-thousands-jobs-2026-1235166514/

DeSantis always puts his base first, no matter the effect on the rest of us.   

Quote from: MusicMan on June 18, 2022, 11:40:14 AM
DeSantis always puts his base first, no matter the effect on the rest of us.   

Pretty common trait amongst politicians...lol...

To BrigdeTroll, showing my open mind, :)!

DeSantis vetoes this bill today and I agree with him:

Quote— Allowed businesses that have been established for at least three years to sue local governments over ordinances if they cause a 15% or more loss in profit. If a business did sue a city or county, the ordinance would have been suspended until the case is settled. Judges would have had the option of requiring governments to pay the business's legal fees if the court strikes down an ordinance.

https://news.yahoo.com/desantis-signs-nearly-3-dozen-164500967.html

He also approved a few bills I agree with, at least based on the superficial summary given.  Of course, most were "Mom and Apple Pie" issues that few would oppose (such as prohibiting someone sharing of an unauthorized sex video of others).

To be clear, DeSantis is nowhere close to winning me over otherwise.  Just noting a rare 5% of the time we might find common ground.

Lol... I doubt he is trying to win over you or even me at this point. While you may agree with 5-10% I am probably in the 30-40% but regardless... he has a base who elected him because of his "conservatism". If I were still in Florida I probably would abstain from voting for a governor or write my wife in as I did for the past two presidential elections...  8) 8)

For now, DeSantis "anti-woke" bill struck down by court as violation of the first amendment:

QuoteFederal judge temporarily blocks DeSantis' 'Stop-WOKE' law

The ruling was heralded as a "major victory for free speech" by the group of businesses who sued the state, but that win could be short lived with the DeSantis administration sure to appeal.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge on Thursday blocked Florida from enforcing a key aspect of the state's new law restricting what Gov. Ron DeSantis calls "woke" workplace trainings about race.

In a 44-page decision, Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker slammed Florida's "Stop-WOKE" Act, criticizing its policies as "bordering on unintelligible" as he granted a temporary injunction on the grounds the law violates the First Amendment.

The ruling was heralded as a "major victory for free speech" by the group of businesses who sued the state, but that win could be short lived with the DeSantis administration sure to appeal.

"In the popular television series Stranger Things, the 'upside down' describes a parallel dimension containing a distorted version of our world," Walker, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, wrote. "Recently, Florida has seemed like a First Amendment upside down."

The "anti-woke" legislation, FL HB 7 (22R), or the Individual Freedom Act, was passed earlier this year by Florida's Republican-led Legislature and backed by DeSantis. It expands Florida's anti-discrimination laws to prohibit schools and companies from leveling guilt or blame to students and employees based on race or sex, taking aim at lessons over issues like "white privilege" by creating new protections for students and workers, including that a person should not be instructed to "feel guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress" due to their race, color, sex or national origin....

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/18/federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-desantis-stop-woke-law-00052768

Corporate D&I has become extremely odd though. I had to sit in one of those D&I sessions at a former bank-that-shall-not-be-named when they were discussing career growth. They started out by breaking down the usual pie charts of race and gender of the current employee makeup. It's no secret that banking and finance workers are majority male. This particular employer was around 70/30 male to female at the time. "Our goal in the next X amount of years (couldn't remember the timeline) is to be 50/50 male female".  So, the question had to be asked, which I did. "Ok, so if there is a position opened for which multiple male candidates are highly qualified but you're lagging in your gender quota will you still hire a female if they have less experience and qualifications?"  I received a rambling answer which ultimately led them to saying yes. This is what I'm sure ol Ronny was trying to address but clearly it's not something that will be going away any time soon.

DeSantis will do anything to keep his name at the top of the news and pander to his very red base even if it means costing the lives of those who follow him:

QuoteTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday asked the Florida Supreme Court to empanel a grand jury to investigate "wrongdoing" linked to the Covid-19 vaccines, including spreading false and misleading claims about the efficacy of the doses.

Most of the medical community, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA and Johns Hopkins, have emphasized that the Covid vaccine is safe and effective in preventing the virus and protecting against serious symptoms.

But DeSantis said during a live-streamed round table discussion with Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo that it's against Florida law to mislead the public, especially when it comes to drug safety. He sought to undermine the efficacy of the Covid vaccine and claimed that vaccine manufacturers such as Moderna have made a fortune on Covid-19 mandates....

....Along with his surgeon general, DeSantis has rejected vaccines for young children even after the FDA gave approval for the vaccines in kids under 5. Florida was the only state in the nation to not re-order vaccines for children ahead of the FDA's fast-tracked approval....

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/13/desantis-grand-jury-covid-19-vaccines-00073718

Interesting article... should you care to read it...

https://www.swoknews.com/coronavirus/who-is-casey-desantis-floridas-first-lady-plays-major-role-in-husband-s-success/article_78612b5a-2979-5cfe-bc0a-f3417fc84bbd.html

Quote from: BridgeTroll on December 13, 2022, 08:49:25 PM
Interesting article... should you care to read it...

https://www.swoknews.com/coronavirus/who-is-casey-desantis-floridas-first-lady-plays-major-role-in-husband-s-success/article_78612b5a-2979-5cfe-bc0a-f3417fc84bbd.html

Read it and it's flattering for sure.  Maybe she should run rather than Ron  ;D.

Give DeSantis and inch and he takes a mile... now without even going through the legislature:

QuoteDeSantis to expand so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law to Florida high schools
The proposal would not require approval by Florida lawmakers

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2023/03/22/desantis-ban-teaching-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-all-grades-florida-dont-say-gay/70038685007/

This creeping grab at autocratic decision making along with fanning culture wars, looking for imaginary scapegoats and clamping down on dissenting speech in the name of "wokeness" echoes moves by dictators.  See Putin, Xi, Hitler, etc.  You were warned...

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on March 22, 2023, 11:02:30 PM
Give DeSantis and inch and he takes a mile... now without even going through the legislature:

QuoteDeSantis to expand so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law to Florida high schools
The proposal would not require approval by Florida lawmakers

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2023/03/22/desantis-ban-teaching-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-all-grades-florida-dont-say-gay/70038685007/

This creeping grab at autocratic decision making along with fanning culture wars, looking for imaginary scapegoats and clamping down on dissenting speech in the name of "wokeness" echoes moves by dictators.  See Putin, Xi, Hitler, etc.  You were warned...

Have to blame the Florida Democratic Party for putting up an uninspiring, retread of a candidate.

Quote from: Todd_Parker on March 23, 2023, 08:55:56 AM

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on March 22, 2023, 11:02:30 PM
Give DeSantis and inch and he takes a mile... now without even going through the legislature:

QuoteDeSantis to expand so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law to Florida high schools
The proposal would not require approval by Florida lawmakers

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2023/03/22/desantis-ban-teaching-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-all-grades-florida-dont-say-gay/70038685007/

This creeping grab at autocratic decision making along with fanning culture wars, looking for imaginary scapegoats and clamping down on dissenting speech in the name of "wokeness" echoes moves by dictators.  See Putin, Xi, Hitler, etc.  You were warned...

Have to blame the Florida Democratic Party for putting up an uninspiring, retread of a candidate.

How about blaming the voters who had a better option and didn't take it.

Hypocrisy on steroids from DeSantis regarding the Trump indictment... incredulous!  From one who literally just wrote a book on this.

Quote....Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's best-polling Republican opening, is backing him on the New York indictment.                 

"The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head," DeSantis said in a statement. "It is un-American."

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg "has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct," DeSantis said. "Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent."...

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/30/donald-trump-indicted-new-york-grand-jury/11445455002/

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on March 30, 2023, 10:20:36 PM
Hypocrisy on steroids from DeSantis regarding the Trump indictment... incredulous!  From one who literally just wrote a book on this.

Quote....Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's best-polling Republican opening, is backing him on the New York indictment.                 

"The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head," DeSantis said in a statement. "It is un-American."

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg "has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct," DeSantis said. "Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent."...

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/30/donald-trump-indicted-new-york-grand-jury/11445455002/

Yep - the dismissal of State Attorney Andrew Warren comes to mind

Quote from: tufsu1 on March 31, 2023, 10:48:32 AM

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on March 30, 2023, 10:20:36 PM
Hypocrisy on steroids from DeSantis regarding the Trump indictment... incredulous!  From one who literally just wrote a book on this.

Quote....Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's best-polling Republican opening, is backing him on the New York indictment.                 

"The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head," DeSantis said in a statement. "It is un-American."

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg "has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct," DeSantis said. "Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent."...

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/30/donald-trump-indicted-new-york-grand-jury/11445455002/

Yep - the dismissal of State Attorney Andrew Warren comes to mind

That's only the tip of the iceberg in my book.  I consider it abuse of the legal system when laws are passed to penalize anyone who disagrees with him (minorities, women, LGBTQ, protesters, trial attorneys, school teachers, unions, Democrats, gun control advocates, doctors, scientists, universities and their faculties, immigrants, etc.) .  Then there is the lash out at Disney, the lady that was fired for questioning the vaccine information issued by the State, the replacement of New College trustees and firing its president and the removal of four Broward county school board members.  The list goes on.... and on.

Looks like the State legislature is changing up the rules again to allow republican governors to run for federal office without having to resign their State office. Of course, this will be changed back immediately after the 2024 election cycle in case a democrat was to be elected governor.

DeSantis loses another court battle.  I have lost track at how many of his initiatives have been struck down but it is a lot.  Wasting millions in Florida taxpayer dollars on legal fees defending laws that offend the majority of Floridians just so he can appeal to a base to launch a presidential bid.  If he gets that far, from what I have read, even many Republicans can't stand the guy.

Between term limits and, hopefully, not getting elected president, I hope the countdown has begun on the sunset of his political career.  The damage he has done to Florida will take a generation to undo.

QuoteFederal judge knocks down Florida's Medicaid ban on gender-affirming treatment
"Gender identity is real. The record makes this clear," U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/21/florida-gender-affirming-ban-00103067

DeSantis loses two days in a row!  It is just ridiculous how much he has offended constituents, caused fear and anguish among the populace, wasted taxpayer dollars and more over getting unconstitutional and outrageous laws passed by his lap dog legislature so he can appeal to his base to run for president.

The legislature should be embarrassed wasting their resources and time on bills for his base vs. taking care of business that really matters to the great majority of Floridians and makes our lives better.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/23/federal-judge-blocks-florida-from-enforcing-ban-on-minors-attending-drag-shows-00103461

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on June 23, 2023, 11:07:17 PM
DeSantis looses two days in a row!  It is just ridiculous how much he has offended constituents, caused fear and anguish among the populace, wasted taxpayer dollars and more over getting unconstitutional and outrageous laws passed by his lap dog legislature so he can appeal to his base to run for president.

The legislature should be embarrassed wasting their resources and time on bills for his base vs. taking care of business that really matters to the great majority of Floridians and makes our lives better.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/23/federal-judge-blocks-florida-from-enforcing-ban-on-minors-attending-drag-shows-00103461

This one is confusing me. The law in question is SB 1438, which "prohibits a person from knowingly admitting a child to an adult live performance." The law goes on to define an adult live performance as "a presentation that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or specific sexual activities"

From the article: "Hamburger Mary's frequently hosts "family-friendly" drag performances where children are invited to perform.

The company argues that the family-friendly drag shows, while not obscene, could be banned under the new law and has canceled some events."

The law is very specific. As long as Hamburger Mary's doesn't admit children to live shows that simulate nudity, sexual conduct, or specific sexual activities, they will be in the clear. The only reason I can come up with that they are suing the state is because they want to be able to admit children to shows that depict or simulate nudity, sexual conduct, or specific sexual activities.

So my question is why do they want so badly to admit children to shows that depict or simulate nudity, sexual conduct, or specific sexual activities?


Link to the law: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1438/Analyses/2023s01438.rc.PDF (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1438/Analyses/2023s01438.rc.PDF)

valhalla, your link goes to the staff analysis of the bill. Here is a link to the actual bill, which includes more reasons the state can fine or close a business than you list.  https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1438/BillText/er/PDF

Quote
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) "Adult live performance" means any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities as those terms are defined in s. 847.001, lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts when it:
1. Predominantly appeals to a prurient, shameful, or morbid interest;
2. Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community of this state as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for the age of the child present; and
3. Taken as a whole, is without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for the age of the child present.

The portions I have italicized, and that you omitted, are subjective, and could be used by overzealous prosecutors, police, or agents of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, as given here in the new law

Quote
509.261 Revocation or suspension of licenses; fines;
procedure.
(10)(a) The division may fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any public lodging establishment or public food service establishment if the establishment admits a child to an adult live performance, in violation of s. 827.11.
(b) A violation of this subsection constitutes an immediate serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare for the purposes of s. 120.60(6).
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the division may issue a $5,000 fine for an establishment's first violation of this subsection.
(...)
Section 3. Paragraph (l) is added to subsection (1) of section 561.29, Florida Statutes, to read:
561.29 Revocation and suspension of license; power to subpoena.—
(1) The division is given full power and authority to revoke or suspend the license of any person holding a license under the Beverage Law, when it is determined or found by the division upon sufficient cause appearing of:
(l) Maintaining a licensed premises that admits a child to an adult live performance in violation of s. 827.11.86
1.   A violation of this paragraph constitutes an immediate, serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare for the purposes of s. 120.60(6).

With the "immediate, serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare" language it sure sounds like the beverage agents could immediately close an establishment if there is a minor (<21?) where there is a performance meeting any of those subjective criteria in the first quote from the bill. How long will it take a Hamburger Mary's or other business to get their license back after such an immediate closure? How much money will they lose while waiting?

With the history of this governor staging enforcement stunts (arresting people for "illegally voting" when their local Supervisor of Elections issued them registration papers), it is not out of the realm of possibility for DBPR (an agency under the governor) to recruit some mature-looking 16-year-olds to stage sting operations. Even if the underage agents have fake IDs, that is not a defense for the business.

Quote
2. The age of the child.
(2) A person's ignorance of a child's age, a child's misrepresentation of his or her age, or a bona fide belief of a child's consent may not be raised as a defense in a prosecution for a violation of this section.

Another dangerous creation of Ron DeSantis, an armed militia (budding army?) accountable only to him and empowered to not only "serve" Florida but any state in the country that DeSantis deems harboring "threats" to Florida citizens. 

Already ballooning from a civilian based 200 who were to supplement the National Guard in disasters and emergencies to a fully armed military unit of 1,500 with boats and planes to "enforce the law" anywhere, anytime.

Shades of the Wagner group in Russia.  Tell me DeSantis isn't an authoritarian planning, potentially, to be much more dangerous if elected to a higher office, giving him the full resources of the Federal government.

Hard to believe there could be someone scarier than Trump but I believe DeSantis has answered that call.  Clearly not liking Trump but, at this point, I hope Trump thumps DeSantis out of the running.  Scary times in the USA.

QuoteVeterans quit as training, mission for DeSantis' State Guard turn militaristic

.....When DeSantis announced in 2021 he wanted to revive the long-dormant State Guard, he vowed it would help Floridians during emergencies. But in the year since its launch, key personnel and a defined mission remain elusive. The state is looking for the program's third leader in eight months. According to records reviewed by the Herald/Times and interviews with program volunteers, a number of recruits quit after the first training class last month because they feared it was becoming too militaristic...

....DeSantis' office referred questions to Major General John D. Haas, Florida's adjutant general overseeing the Florida National Guard.

In a statement, Haas said the State Guard was a "military organization" that will be used not just for emergencies but for "aiding law enforcement with riots and illegal immigration."...

....Three former members told the Herald/Times the program veered from its original mission.

"The program got hijacked and turned into something that we were trying to stay away from: a militia," said Brian Newhouse, a retired 20-year Navy veteran who was chosen to lead one of the State Guard's three divisions.

The original leadership team envisioned a disaster response team of veterans and civilians with a variety of practical skills, according to Newhouse. Two other former military veterans, who asked not to be named for fear of potential consequences and later quit, expressed similar concerns over a change in the State Guard's mission....

....Unlike the National Guard, State Guard members can't be deployed by the federal government. They answer only to the governor.

Lawmakers in 2022 added stipulations saying that members could only be called up in an emergency and couldn't operate outside the state. Those requirements were dropped a year later....

....By March, however, the state's vision began to change.

That month, state lawmakers and the governor revealed that they wanted to assign the State Guard $89 million to buy boats, planes and helicopters. They wanted a specialized unit within the guard to have police powers and the ability to carry weapons.

And they wanted to boost the State Guard to 1,500 members. Instead of being activated only during emergencies within Florida, they could be sent to any state to "protect and defend the people of Florida from threats to public safety."...

....While nearly half of states have volunteer state guards, usually with military structures, few, if any, appear to have equivalent powers. Texas, for example, has deployed its State Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border, but members can't carry guns or make arrests and don't have aircraft....

....The program now finds itself leaderless for the second time in less than a year. Most of the original leadership Soler appointed have quit....

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/veterans-quit-training-mission-desantis-184158359.html

I wonder if they have upgraded their equipment...  ???

QuoteThe organization was provided with 1,948 .30 caliber M1917 rifles, 140 .45 caliber (Thompson) submachine guns, and 14 .30 caliber (Browning) machine guns. It also maintained 20 1 ½ ton Chevrolet trucks, 8 reconnaissance command trucks, 1 Ford V-8 pickup truck, 3 armored 4x4 scout cars, 3 ½ ton 4x4 Dodge ambulances, and 1 Terraplane Coupe M1935 automobile.

https://floridastateguard.my.site.com/s/history

^ Waiting for the order for tanks, armored vehicles, cruise and intercontinental ballistic missiles, fighter jets, bombers, battleships, aircraft carriers, submarines, nuclear weapons... after all, we are surrounded by immigrants, commies, Chinese, Russians, Koreans, Iranians, Venezuelans, Cubans, LGBTQ's, minorities, women wanting abortions, divorcees demanding alimony and child support, sex crazed pornographers, cross-dressers, librarians promoting corrupting books, atheists, agnostics, blue staters, gun control advocates, Democrats, college professors and students, scientists, doctors, public health experts, Disney-philes, former criminals, rioters, protestors, environmentalists, liberals, moderates, insurance companies leaving the state, financial companies promoting ESG investing, fake voters, voter registration groups, the press and media folks, scoundrels promoting DEI, COVID worriers, vaccine endorsers, welfare recipients, Medicaid beneficiaries, public school advocates, teachers, locals demanding local governance, rogue school superintendents, school boards and state attorneys, unfair election officials ....... Just woke everywhere!

Florida is truly a swamp and DeSantis is out to clean it up, forcefully, if necessary.

DeSantis continues his dictatorial ways as he removes yet another democratically elected official, now the State Attorney for Orange County.  This follows his removal of the State Attorney for Hillsborough County and removal of school board members in Broward that refused to bow to his commands. 

These people were fairly elected so why does DeSantis think he should override the will of the voters?  Because he is a wanna-be dictator.  His fans on the Jaxson can say otherwise but actions speak louder than words.  Disagree with DeSantis and he will viciously come after you.  That is not democracy in action.

QuoteDeSantis suspends elected Florida state attorney Monique Worrell, accusing her of being soft on crime

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday suspended Monique Worrell, the state attorney for Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit, accusing her of under-prosecuting criminals in her jurisdiction.

An executive order signed by DeSantis and Secretary of State Cord Byrd accused Worrell of "systematically" allowing criminals to evade incarceration, either by dropping charges or declining to allege provable facts.

Worrell, a Democratic elected official who took office in 2021, accused DeSantis of peddling a "false narrative" and engaging in "political gamesmanship."

"We all know that this is not about policy or anything that I've actually done," she said.

Worrell alleged that the Republican governor "and his cronies have been searching for a reason for my suspension for well over a year now."

The suspension was announced at a surprise press conference Wednesday, at which DeSantis claimed Worrell had been "clearly and fundamentally derelict" in her duties.

Her actions constitute "both neglect of duty and incompetence," according to the executive order the governor signed.

While DeSantis acknowledged that prosecutors like Worrell "have a certain amount of discretion about which cases to bring and which not," he accused Worrell of having "abused that discretion."

Worrell's suspension is effective immediately. DeSantis appointed Orlando Judge Andrew Bain, reportedly a member of the conservative Federalist Society, to fill her post.

It's the second time as governor that DeSantis has taken executive action against an elected state attorney over accusations of being soft on crime.

DeSantis last year suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren after Warren said he would not enforce state restrictions on abortion or gender-related surgery. A federal judge affirmed the suspension but said DeSantis had violated the attorney's free speech rights.

DeSantis on Wednesday expressed confidence that his latest action was legal.

But Worrell vowed to fight her suspension and continue her reelection campaign.

"This should not happen in a democracy," she said, noting that she is losing her salary and her benefits.

She also defended herself against accusations about her track record as a state attorney, citing police statistics that show "crime is down" in Orange County and in her judicial district.

The surprise move to dismiss an elected state official came as DeSantis struggles to gain ground in the Republican presidential primary.

Once seen as a major contender to former President Donald Trump, DeSantis has appeared to slide in national polls of the race.

His campaign, which is still less than three months old, has fired dozens of staffers in recent weeks. On Tuesday, he replaced his campaign manager with his gubernatorial chief of staff.

"He replaced his campaign manager yesterday, and I guess today it's my turn," Worrell said Wednesday.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/09/desantis-suspends-elected-florida-state-attorney-monique-worrell.html

Once he realizes his Presidential bid is over, watch out public officials in Florida who don't bow at the Altar of DeSantis, he's coming for you, too. This does not bode well for Mayor Deegan. She has at least 3 strikes against her: she is a woman, she is a Democrat, and she has 'woke' beliefs. I'm sure there are more.

Another loss in the courts for DeSantis, this time messing with the redistricting of Al Lawson's congressional district*.  When you subtract the losses in the courts from DeSantis' "accomplishments", there isn't much left.  His threats to reform Washington and the Feds if elected president would likely suffer a similar failure rate so why would anyone want to vote for a paper tiger  ;D.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/09/02/judge-congressional-district-lines-around-jacksonville-unconstitutional/70753135007/

*Noting that the State indicates it will appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, a hometown jury for DeSantis.

DeSantis' drag show law blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court.   If DeSantis was a baseball player, he would be fired over his lousy batting average  ;D.

QuoteSupreme Court says Florida can't enforce anti-drag law

The Florida law that limits drag shows in the state will remain blocked, the Supreme Court said Thursday, dealing a blow to a key initiative championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida had asked the high court to narrow a lower court's injunction that stopped the law from being enforced statewide. The justices declined to do so....

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/politics/supreme-court-rules-against-florida-anti-drag-law/index.html

Another DeSantis "law" knocked down by U.S. Appeals Court that includes a Trump appointed judge.  That's how far over the edge DeSantis has gone.  Have lost track of how many court cases DeSantis has lost but his batting ratio can't be much over 3%  ;D.  Only ones in his favor I can recall are upholding his firings of elected Democrats that crossed him and the COVID statistician and a dismissal of one Disney suit against him (although others are pending).  Of course, get involved in enough lawsuits and you are bound to get a favorable ruling once in awhile.  Just ask Trump.

QuoteFederal appeals court OKs block of key provision of Florida's 'Stop WOKE Act'

In a blow to Gov. Ron DeSantis "war on woke," a federal appeals court Monday agreed with a lower court judge on blocking a key provision to Florida's 2022 "Stop WOKE Act."

That provision restricted businesses' diversity practices and trainings, blocking concepts that could make employees feel "personal responsibility" for actions committed in the past — such as discriminatory ones — by someone of the "same race, color, sex or national origin."

That language had been iced by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of Tallahassee, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concurred, despite Florida's assertion that its actions were OK because the law restricts conduct, not speech....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/04/federal-appeals-court-deals-blow-to-desantis-stop-woke-act/72844793007/

DeSantis sees "woke" everywhere... even in transportation!  Who knew?  Here is the latest from our governor who is determined to stamp out "woke" in his imaginary world, unfortunately real for the rest of us.  How can one not think he has a few screws loose or missing some marbles.

QuoteGov. DeSantis signs measure to hurry transportation projects, clamp down on 'activism' on roads

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation making it easier for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to finance major transportation projects....

....The 39-page bill contains other provisions to streamline transportation projects and agencies in the state, including a $15 million boost to FDOT logistic center programs. But it also contains measures aimed at preventing local governments from using transportation policy for, according to DeSantis, ideological projects.

The bill prevents public transportation agencies from using state funds for marketing or advertising on public vehicles. DeSantis suggested that such funds could be used to push diversity, equity and inclusion or other progressive ideology, but didn't cite an example of that happening in Florida.

Another piece of the bill bans state funds going to public airports, seaports or other transportation agencies that enact mask mandates in violation of state law, something DeSantis pushed for during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill also increases public meeting and public notice requirements when a local government wants to repurpose existing lanes on its roads. This, DeSantis said, was needed to prevent "activists" from promoting congestion on roads to convince people to give up gas-powered cars.

"It is going to prevent localities from agenda-motivated lane reductions to force people out of their cars," DeSantis said.

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/667806-gov-desantis-signs-measure-to-hurry-transportation-projects-clamp-down-on-activism-on-roads/

DeSantis grip on his party in the legislature is finally slipping.  Love the quote below but where was their backbone in prior years. 

I expect to see the same thing happen to Trump with Congress as the midterms approach and he nears the end of his 4 years. 

Shame that politicos can't do right by their constituents all the time and mostly only care about their self interests.

QuoteFlorida Republicans defy DeSantis to push their own immigration bill

..."Sometimes it just feels like the Legislature is there to do the bidding of the governor and maybe that's not the way it ought to be," said Republican state Sen. Ed Hooper. "We'll see who wins."...

https://apnews.com/article/florida-ron-desantis-donald-trump-republican-legislature-878ef5458b8815d455f60674587b3347

The below looks like a total waste of money for the sake of partisan politics.  We don't have dollars to fully care for parks, fix potholes, replace septic tanks, repair sidewalks, provide social services, hire enough police and firefighters, etc. but we are overfunded.  Maybe DOGE will conclude we should not be giving all those incentive dollars to DeSantis's developer supporters.  Now, that would be amazing to see.

DeSantis should turn DOGE on itself - why does it even exist?   If he really wants to find waste in Florida, then apply DOGE to his wasteful spending sending State officers to Texas to protect their border or putting immigrants on chartered planes to other states.  Add the inhuman internment camp at Alligator Alcatraz.  Or the millions in State dollars his wife's charity allegedly funneled to fight the marijuana amendment.  Or all the State millions paid to lawyers to only lose time after time in the courts trying to justify absurd DeSantis's "policies."  Or the millions in State dollars overpaying for patronage jobs like select politicos acting as university presidents making double or more salaries of the academics they replaced.  Or the State millions being shifted from public schools to vouchers and subsidies benefitting unaccountable charter and private schools.

Wonder if DOGE is being applied equally to Republican mayors in every town and city in Florida.  Or, just high profile Democratic ones like Deegan.  Anyone have a list of Florida DOGE targets?

QuoteFlorida DOGE to audit city of Jacksonville's finances
Mayor Donna Deegan says she welcomes any investigation "not driven by partisanship or political gamesmanship."

...The DOGE letter acknowledged that Jacksonville's leadership had reduced the rate but said rising property values resulted in a "burden on property owners" that "far outpaces inflation and the modest growth in population over that time."

DOGE officials requested access to Jacksonville's city's physical premises, data systems and responsive personnel. Officials will be in Jacksonville over two days beginning Aug. 8, overlapping with the start of Jacksonville City Council hearings on Deegan's proposed city budget. State officials made 22 specific requests falling under procurement and contracting, personnel compensation and property management.

DOGE officials requested access to procurement contracts over $10,000, along with the policies and procedures related to those contracts; a list of all compensation for city employees, contract benefits, productivity and overtime records; and records of the lease or sale of public-owned property.

DOGE officials threatened financial penalties against Jacksonville should the city fail to comply with requests when the task force is in town.

In a July 31 response, Deegan's office said DOGE officials would find that the city's finances "have been managed responsibly and prudently," as evidenced by the three major agencies that assess the city's financial health giving it top-tier ratings this year and in 2024.

The office also said the city maintained the number of non-public safety employees despite a fast-growing population and the lowest millage rate "by far" of major Florida cities....

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/jul/31/florida-doge-to-audit-city-of-jacksonvilles-finances/

https://nypost.com/2025/07/31/sports/ron-desantis-declares-friday-hulk-hogan-day-in-florida/

QuoteRon DeSantis declares 'Hulk Hogan Day' in Florida with flags flown at half-staff

The Hulkster is getting his day in the sunshine.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he was declaring Friday "Hulk Hogan Day" across the state in honor of the WWE megastar, who died at the age of 71 on July 24 at his home in Clearwater, Fla.

DeSantis also said that the U.S. and Florida flags would be put at half-staff Friday at the state capitol and in Pinellas County, which includes Clearwater, where Hogan lived for the final 13 years of his life.

If you've followed Hulk Hogan over the last ten years - not even the MAGA stuff, but the truly insane, unapologetic racism - this is amongst the most Florida things ever.

Quote from: jaxlongtimer on July 31, 2025, 10:52:28 PM
The below looks like a total waste of money for the sake of partisan politics.  We don't have dollars to fully care for parks, fix potholes, replace septic tanks, repair sidewalks, provide social services, hire enough police and firefighters, etc. but we are overfunded.  Maybe DOGE will conclude we should not be giving all those incentive dollars to DeSantis's developer supporters.  Now, that would be amazing to see.

DeSantis should turn DOGE on itself - why does it even exist?   If he really wants to find waste in Florida, then apply DOGE to his wasteful spending sending State officers to Texas to protect their border or putting immigrants on chartered planes to other states.  Add the inhuman internment camp at Alligator Alcatraz.  Or the millions in State dollars his wife's charity allegedly funneled to fight the marijuana amendment.  Or all the State millions paid to lawyers to only lose time after time in the courts trying to justify absurd DeSantis's "policies."  Or the millions in State dollars overpaying for patronage jobs like select politicos acting as university presidents making double or more salaries of the academics they replaced.  Or the State millions being shifted from public schools to vouchers and subsidies benefitting unaccountable charter and private schools.

Wonder if DOGE is being applied equally to Republican mayors in every town and city in Florida.  Or, just high profile Democratic ones like Deegan.  Anyone have a list of Florida DOGE targets?

Mark Woods just made many of the same points I made in my earlier post: 

QuoteAs Florida DOGE comes to town, something else for state to look into: a mirror | Opinion
Mark Woods
Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

....Congratulations on pledging to do some audits. I realize this isn't a given. I mean, we're in the third year of the governor using extraordinary emergency powers, typically reserved for short-term events like a hurricane, to hand out hundreds of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts related to immigration. There's been little oversight in this. So by law — a law signed by the governor — this spending should've been audited annually by the state. For some reason, it hasn't been. And now we're spending nearly a half billion dollars a year on a detention center in the Everglades...

....Funny thing. Some of the same local politicians who seem to be most excited about you coming to town — who have been saying we're spending too much and really should have outsiders look at our finances — have been big supporters of the most expensive items in our budgets.

For instance, some of those council members applauding your visit enthusiastically supported taxpayers spending $775 million, the largest single development deal in city history, on a stadium renovation. This came after approving more than $100 million in taxpayer money for Shad Khan to build a Four Seasons, and after the previous mayor and some of the current council members wanted to spend hundreds of millions on a Lot J development.

Not that any of this is the largest piece of Jacksonville's $2 billion budget. That would be public safety. And while some in town seem to desperately want to be able to accuse the mayor of raising taxes and defunding the police, she's done neither. Since becoming mayor in 2023, the millage rate has stayed the same — the lowest of any major city in Florida — and her budgets have included historic pay raises for police, firefighters and corrections officers.

So one question for the Florida DOGE team would be the same one raised when local officials created a Duval DOGE: While supposedly examining every nook and cranny, will you look at the largest and fastest growing piece of the budget? If not, how thorough an audit is this really?

t is nice that the governor's office is showing so much interest in Jacksonville's finances these days. That didn't seem to be the case a few years ago, back when the JEA saga was unfolding. Talk about a time that called for transparency and accountability....

....When Ingoglia wrote that he's committed to fighting waste, fraud and abuse "at all levels of Florida government," some suggested that maybe he should start with the state level. And when he wrote "transparency and accountability are of the utmost importance to me," some pointed to a growing list lacking that, from the millions in Medicaid settlement money that went to Hope Florida to the hundreds of millions being poured into Alligator Alcatraz.

Jeff Brandes, a Republican former state senator from Pinellas County, said of the per-bed cost at the detention center: "We're saying it is not supposed to be the Ritz-Carlton, but we're paying Ritz-Carlton prices."

Worth reiterating: The biggest contract there — $78.5 million — is with Jacksonville-based Critical Response Strategies. Not that the state has shared many details about this. If anything, it made an effort to hide them.

So while Florida DOGE is in Jacksonville, asking the city for every contract in excess of $10,000, maybe someone can shed some light on that one $78.5 million contract. And while state officials continue to travel Florida, doing audits of local governments, maybe there's something else worth looking into. A mirror.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/mark-woods/2025/08/06/florida-doge-visiting-cities-ignoring-state-issues/85510229007/?tbref=hp

What are the odds on whether they looked into the massive sums going to the U2C?

It was a major waste of time & money because all of this is political pandering. We have several PR communications from Donna & her Council counterparts all discussing the $13.4M property tax benefit when nobody in our beloved government has the guts to call out all the waste at JTA - which is where the true 'waste' lies. Projects like the stadium, jail etc. at least have 'some' benefits to them.

Just saying, where does more than 2/3's of all JTA revenue come from? The Better Jacksonville Plan (sales tax). Also, JTA has already bonded out about 40% of their anticipated gas tax revenue until 2036. Fun! You know JEA gets $$ from the BJP, but they also generate a profit & actually pay the city from time to time. Why the hell does JTA continuously get a 'pass'?

Something to consider is that Donna extending the BJP to 2030 might have been the single item that saved the U2C program. Without that gap funding, its hard to understand where JTA would have gotten the money to get going. The Gas Tax Bonds were conveniently sold right after the stadium deal was finalized with City Council. Hmmmmmmmm, another coincidence I'm sure.

(And yes for all my fans, this is $100m+ per year that we pay directly to JTA. Imagine what we could do without the majority of that being sunk into 'salaries' & 'fringe benefits' - which make up nearly 50% of the entire JTA budget.)

DeSantis squandering more taxpayer dollars on lawyers as he loses another court case, this time regarding banning books.  DOGE needs to start by looking at his legal bills... millions wasted on losing cases.

The legal status of Alligator Alcatraz isn't looking too good either... no one can even tell the judge who is in charge?  Florida, ICE, who?!  Gov't lawyers can't explain.

Quote
Florida book ban law partly struck down in federal free speech case

A federal judge has struck a blow against Florida's book bans, ruling that part of a DeSantis-backed law used to sweep classics and modern novels off school shelves is so vague that it's unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza of the Middle District of Florida focused on the portion of the law that prevents books that "describes sexual conduct" in his Aug. 13 order, saying it's "unclear what the statute actually prohibits" and to what detail of sexual conduct is prohibited.

The statute (HB 1069) was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023, and it's been used to remove thousands of books from Florida's school library shelves....

....To defend book removals, DeSantis and state officials have pointed to "government speech," a legal doctrine that the government has the right to promote its own views without being required to provide equal time or a platform for opposing views.

Mendoza disagreed.

"A blanket content-based prohibition on materials, rather than one based on individualized curation, hardly expresses any intentional government message at all," he said. "Slapping the label of government speech on book removals only serves to stifle the disfavored viewpoints."

The judge's order is a win for Penguin Random House and five other publishers, the Authors Guild, two parents and authors Julia Alvarez, John Green, Angie Thomas, Laurie Halse Anderson and Jodi Picoult. Green is famous for his books "Looking for Alaska" and "Paper Towns," both of which were mentioned in the order...

...The same day as Mendoza's order calling one portion of this law unconstitutional, another federal judge in Florida agreed that the law discriminated based on sex....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/state/2025/08/14/judge-rules-part-of-floridas-desantis-backed-book-ban-illegal/85657867007/

Fear for your kids' and your families' health and well being. 

DeSantis's surgeon general goes off the deep end and endangers the entire population with his conspiracy theories and denial of scientific facts as he removes mandatory vaccines for school children.  Disease outbreaks and increased disabilities and deaths are guaranteed to follow soon as a result.

Add, this is another spinoff too, from Trump and RFK's wacky positions.

QuoteMedical experts 'profoundly concerned' as DeSantis looks to end vaccine requirements
'This decision could have severe and potentially deadly repercussions for children and vulnerable adults,' one critic said.

Hours after Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the Department of Health and the Legislature would work hand-in-hand to repeal vaccine mandates in the state, national organizations, state university medical centers and former Florida officials came out against the move.

Ladapo has been Florida's surgeon general since 2021 and is also a professor of medicine at the University of Florida. But the university's academic health center, UF Health, stood firm in a statement that vaccines are "safe" and "essential."

"Public health and safety is a shared responsibility," said Dr. Stephen J. Motew, the president and CEO of UF Health.

"The overwhelming consensus of the medical and public health communities show that vaccines are among the most studied and scrutinized medical interventions in history. They are proven to be safe, effective, and essential in preventing the spread of many serious infectious diseases. Following evidence-based practices regarding vaccines and other care decisions are best made in consultation with your health care professional."...

...Florida law mandates many vaccinations against childhood illnesses

According to Florida law, immunizations are required for polio, diphtheria (a bacterial infection), rubeola (measles), rubella (a viral infection, also called German measles), pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, tetanus and other communicable diseases as determined under rules promulgated by the Department of Health.

Ladapo, who heads the Department of Health, said he will repeal the rules within his purview that require vaccines, and that the governor and the Legislature will work to repeal the rest.

"Why are they doing this? I don't know," Dr. Scott Rivkees, Ladapo's immediate predecessor as surgeon general told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida. "The role of government is a government of the people and for the people, and how this is for the people is head wagging."

Rivkees quit in September 2021 after being shunned by Gov. Ron DeSantis for encouraging COVID-19 precautions when the governor wanted little focus on preventive measures.

He said this isn't the first time Ladapo has defied expert medical advice, citing a measles outbreak in South Florida in 2024 that sickened nine people.

Ladapo said parents and guardians could decide whether to send their children back to school instead of requiring an isolation period, a statement that conflicted with federal and medical professional recommendations that children from the school should remain at home to prevent the spread of measles.

"More than 200 students did not go to school because the parents did not feel safe sending their children to school even though their children were vaccinated," said Rivkees, now a professor of practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. "This will lead to a situation where you're going to have more public confusion, you're going to have more children who are going to be out of school when you have an outbreak or a case at school, which is predictably going to happen more and more.

"More children are going to suffer educational losses and illnesses which could have been prevented," he added.

DeSantis' and Ladapo's announcement at a press conference on Sept. 3 was paired with the creation of a state version of a "Make America Healthy Again" commission, which will be led by First Lady Casey DeSantis. At the federal level, MAHA is led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tasked with investigating chronic illness and delivering an action plan to fight childhood diseases.

Kennedy, however, has promoted misinformation on vaccines in the past, and recently fired Susan Monarez as the Centers for Disease Control director after a dispute over vaccination policy. At the press conference, DeSantis joked Ladapo now should be considered for the CDC director's position.

Florida vaccine guidance: Pediatricians 'profoundly concerned,' doctor says

Dr. Lisa Gwynn, a past president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said she is "profoundly concerned."

"This decision could have severe and potentially deadly repercussions for children and vulnerable adults," she said.

Gwynn, who practices in South Florida, said vaccinations are one of the most effective measures for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. They not only protect those who receive them but also safeguard individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

"Removing these mandates could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases, putting countless lives at risk," she told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida.

For example, in Florida, the vaccination rate for those who have completed all five doses of the TDAP vaccine, which prevents tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, is about 88.1%. Herd immunity for pertussis requires 92% to 94%.

Last year, the number of whooping cough cases in Florida soared. From Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024, the Florida Department of Health reported 715 cases of pertussis – an eight-fold increase over the year before, which had 85 cases.

On the national level, Dr. Susan J. Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said every family should have access to immunizations because illnesses not only affect children but also their families, and therefore the workforce and local economy.

"We are concerned that today's announcement by Gov. DeSantis will put children in Florida public schools at higher risk for getting sick, and have ripple effects across their community," Kressly said.

And Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, speaking on behalf of the American Medical Association, said the group "strongly opposes Florida's plan to end all vaccine mandates, including those required for school attendance."

"This unprecedented rollback would undermine decades of public health progress and place children and communities at increased risk for diseases such as measles, mumps, polio, and chickenpox resulting in serious illness, disability, and even death," said Fryhofer, a board-certified physician of internal medicine and member of the AMA Board of Trustees. "While there is still time, we urge Florida to reconsider this change to help prevent a rise of infectious disease outbreaks that put health and lives at risk."

Democrats speak out, call for governor to fire Ladapo

Florida Democrats also criticized the move by Ladapo and DeSantis, calling the move to repeal all vaccination requirements "ridiculous" and "reckless."

"Republicans have gone from entertaining anti-science conspiracy theories to fully endorsing an anti-science health policy," Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman of Boca Raton said in a statement.

"As a member of the Senate Health Policy Committee, I'll be doing everything in my power to protect our kids from these reckless attempts to harm them."

Democratic candidate for governor David Jolly even called on the governor to fire Ladapo. He called the announcement "dangerous and deeply irresponsible."

"For generations, vaccines have protected kids, families, and schools from outbreaks of preventable diseases. Stripping away these protections, puts politics ahead of science and needlessly endangers the health of our communities. Florida families deserve leaders who will put the safety of our children first and not gamble with their futures," Jolly said in a news release.

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa said the DeSantis and Ladapo plan was "stunningly reckless."

"I encourage everyone to read about the horrifying effects of these diseases," Driskell said in a press release.

"Polio can paralyze muscles, measles can cause pneumonia and brain swelling, and both can kill. Hepatitis B destroys your liver. Chicken pox causes high fever and a painful rash. These diseases devastated families and stole lives for years before vaccines were developed to protected us. They're all preventable, but only if our kids take the vaccines."

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/state/2025/09/03/florida-vaccine-requirements-medical-experts-profoundly-concerned-desantis-ladapo/85959858007/?tbref=hp

I would imagine forgoing basic health standards will not be part of the pitch to lure those ultra competitive corporate relocations to Florida.

Can't see how this won't ultimately hurt the state (and local) economy.

The number of employees taking off work to care for sick kids would go up significant.

Hospitals would need to add capacity.

Etc.

I can see both sides of most political arguments. There's no upside to being the sickest state.

I do think this would be another nudge to informed, engaged parents to move their kids to private schools, which won't be eliminating vaccination requirements.

But I digress.

There are a lot of vaccines they try to give children that are unnecessary for children to get.  I get not requiring those. 

But all the ones listed in that article are absolutely necessary.  People had 5-10 children before these vaccines because they knew half of them were going to die from the above illnesses.  Madness to go against that science.

Quote from: Lostwave on September 04, 2025, 11:41:05 AM
There are a lot of vaccines they try to give children that are unnecessary for children to get.  I get not requiring those. 

But all the ones listed in that article are absolutely necessary.  People had 5-10 children before these vaccines because they knew half of them were going to die from the above illnesses.  Madness to go against that science.

your first sentence and the pendulum-swing overcorrection coming from the covid vaccine discussions in 2020 are what's getting the baby thrown out with the bath water here, in my opinion.

Quote from: fsu813 on September 04, 2025, 10:41:03 AM
I would imagine forgoing basic health standards will not be part of the pitch to lure those ultra competitive corporate relocations to Florida.

Can't see how this won't ultimately hurt the state (and local) economy.

The number of employees taking off work to care for sick kids would go up significant.

Hospitals would need to add capacity.

Etc.

I can see both sides of most political arguments. There's no upside to being the sickest state.

I do think this would be another nudge to informed, engaged parents to move their kids to private schools, which won't be eliminating vaccination requirements.

But I digress.

I would think elderly retirees would also take into this into account.  Imagine going to the emergency room and waiting hours behind sick kids and their families and then finding out all the hospital rooms are taken due to local epidemics.  Plus, spreading these diseases to immune compromised elders.

I might add that many (most?) countries require certain vaccinations to travel to them.  And, colleges, camps, kids travel programs, etc.
I guess most Floridian's won't be welcome  8).

QuoteThere are a lot of vaccines they try to give children that are unnecessary for children to get.  I get not requiring those.

Really?  Which ones?  Please tell us what diseases children are exempt from?  Seems to me that you are contributing to the madness...

Quote from: BridgeTroll on September 04, 2025, 09:46:41 PM

QuoteThere are a lot of vaccines they try to give children that are unnecessary for children to get.  I get not requiring those.

Really?  Which ones?  Please tell us what diseases children are exempt from?  Seems to me that you are contributing to the madness...

No answer??? Not surprised because the answer... shockingly... is none.  I fully expect a nationwide measles and mumps outbreak this winter... the question is... who gets the award for diphtheria outbreak?  Polio?