Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is drafting up new rules for decorum at the Capitol Complex, including consolidating the power to light up the Historic Capitol in the Governor and the Legislature.
As reported by City & State Florida, the Department of Management Services has proposed a rule that says the Governor may light the Historic Capitol “to celebrate a holiday, a cause, or another issue the Governor wishes to support.” The rule also allows the House Speaker and the Senate President to request DMS light the building in a similar fashion.
Additionally, it would declare that lighting the building is government speech, giving the state — in this case, the Governor — what the U.S. Supreme Court says is the ability to “say what it wishes.” Groups that reserve the steps or surrounding areas are prohibited from lighting the Historic Capitol to support a message, cause or event.
DMS says those rules changes and others, including about protests, are part of an annual checkup to clarify the rules at the Capitol Complex. But the change is also the latest in a progression of cracking down to prevent outside groups from using the Capitol to spread their message.
Last year, the state didn’t grant the request of gun control advocates at Moms Demand Action to light the Historic Capitol orange. Around the same time, the Jacksonville Transit Authority said the Florida Department of Transportation asked it to take down a rainbow light display during Pride Month.
However, the Historic Capitol was lit purple for Alzheimer’s awareness, part of an annual tradition.
Other changes go beyond state-sanctioned light shows. Rules would curb protests inside state buildings if the demonstration is deemed a disturbance. It would also ban visual and auditory displays or actions that are indecent.
Capitol Police will have the authority to remove people for trespassing if they violate the rules.
Evening Reads
—“Donald Trump isn’t waiting for 2024 to snub Ron DeSantis” via Chris Cillizza of CNN
—“Florida newspapers line up behind Charlie Crist in Governor’s race; how much does it matter?” via Michael Moline of the Florida Phoenix
—“Who are Tampa Bay’s accused Jan. 6 rioters, really?” via Christopher Spata and Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times
—“Elon Musk says Twitter won’t be ‘free-for-all hellscape,’ addressing advertisers’ concerns” via Patience Haggin and Suzanne Vranica of The Wall Street Journal
—“What it looks like as drought strangles the mighty Mississippi” via Brady Dennis, Laris Karklis, Scott Dance and Tim Meko of The Washington Post
—“Hurricane Ian’s lucrative cleanup deals generate new storm” via Mike Schneider of The Associated Press
—“GOP canvasser didn’t tell cops brutal beating was political until after Marco Rubio tweeted” via Nicholas Nehamas, Sarah Blaskey, Verónica Egui Brito and David Ovalle of the Miami Herald
— “Brian Mast, Mike Waltz condemn Janet Cruz attack on Jay Collins” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“Republicans now outnumber Democrats in SD 10” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—“Universal theme parks post strong finances despite Hurricane Ian” via Gabrielle Russon for Florida Politics
—“‘Devil In The Grove’ author says he solved a controversial 1987 Osceola murder case” via Cristóbal Reyes of the Orlando Sentinel
—“60 years ago today, this man stopped the Cuban Missile Crisis from going nuclear” via Bryan Walsh of Vox
Quote of the Day
“It takes a fighter to know a fighter, and Ron DeSantis, he’s the real thing.”
— UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal endorsing DeSantis in video ad.
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One comment
Lynda
October 27, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Re: Only deSantis can “light up the state Capitol Complex”
Following a dangerous path from voter suppression to suppression of speech by ordinary citizens/voters/taxpayers/residents, deSantis and his buddies –the new semi-facist Republicans controlling FL— now want to close off public buildings which they occupy at the will of the voters from normal public use.
The Republican party had its Insurrection on Jan. 6 when its allies attacked the National Capitol resulting in deaths and injuries to those defending the Capitol from armed, organized militias. Nearly 300 elected Republicans assisted the planning and implementation of the Insurrection on behalf of their cult leader, trump. Now deSantis wants to eliminate indoor peaceful protests at the FL Capitol that might include loud singing, playing musical instruments or chanting. Amazing that Republicans who control the FL Capitol are so timid they cannot see their voters face to face.
Only weak individuals who are being paid to be leaders and public servants use these repressive regulations to eliminate the potential for their feelings to be hurt when people disagree with them. deSantis is using his same old pattern of threatening his opponents when they “dare” to say he is wrong. Disney is just waiting for deSantis and his crew of ‘old boys’ to leave the state or fall out of power before it takes back what he has disturbed.
As was so clear in his only debate with former Gov. Crist, deSantis is dependent on a script to follow; a script which contains no ideas to fix the serious problems in FL. Typical bully of school children, lovers of democracy and women who want to make their own decisions about reproduction.
So Boys, control the lighting, the sounds of protests and peaceful demonstrations disagreeing with deSantis and his authoritarian followers. You are temporary residents of the FL Capitol; a free, honest and fair election will evict you all at sometime in your lives. Countries, states and cities do not thrive under the rule of dictators too scared to hear the voices of the people.
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