Peter Schorsch
Whether and when Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his presidential campaign has been the subject of much debate, but there’s no question the Legislature is all-in on DeSantis ’24.
The Legislature’s most notable gift is an edit to the state’s resign-to-run law, which prohibits state officials from holding two offices at once.
Under current law, DeSantis would have to submit a resignation letter 10 days prior to the qualification deadline for presidential candidates, although he would not have to leave the Governor’s Mansion until Jan. 20, 2025, the day the winner of the 2024 Presidential Election will be inaugurated.
Though Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said “it is already apparent that resign-to-run does not apply to presidential and vice presidential candidates,” lawmakers removed any ambiguity in its sure-to-be-signed elections package (SB 7050).
Lawmakers put some more presents under the tree during budget negotiations, including a $3.8 million appropriation for “Protected Operations Services” at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
That cash, earmarked by the House in its supplemental funding list, would presumably be used to provide security for the Governor on the campaign trail — or continues the charade of promoting the “The Courage to be Free.”
FDLE’s check may come alongside a statutory smokescreen: The Senate passed a bill (SB 1616) earlier in Session that would exempt law enforcement records on travel and security from public disclosure, a move widely seen as shielding DeSantis’ travel habits from the state’s transparency laws. The legislation awaits a House vote.
The cherry on top (or “sprinkle,” in Florida budget parlance) is a $1 million set-aside for “operational support” in the Governor’s Office. If the description sounds nebulous, that’s because it is — DeSantis’ staff could use that money in any way they see fit.
DeSantis is widely expected to launch a presidential campaign sometime after the 2023 Legislative Session wraps on May 5.
The FDLE and EOG funding would kick in when the state’s 2023-24 budget year begins on July 1, as would the resign-to-run edit. The travel records exemption, if approved by the House and signed by the Governor, would go into effect immediately.
12 comments
Elliott Offen
May 1, 2023 at 4:31 pm
He will loose.. waste a bunch of money only to loose. Just too far right and kept a gang of religious whackos by his side. Right wing police state in place of government to improve the lives of the most amount of people. He will eventually dye his hair blue and move to The Villages.
Liberal Lunatic
May 2, 2023 at 7:19 am
Poor Elliott and his liberal wackos. They wanted Andrew Gillum. So instead of dying their hair blue, they were all hoping to be invited to one of Andrew’s rave parties. Stocked full with drugs and male prostitutes. Absolute heaven for Elliott.😜
Elliott Offen
May 2, 2023 at 8:38 am
He was a bad candidate. That doesn’t mean Mini Hitler is any better. You neo nazi trolls fail miserably.
corruption and abuse of power in Florida
May 1, 2023 at 4:44 pm
The super majority of the GOP in Florida and abusive as DeSantis. They are not doing the will of the people they are doing the wheel of the very few. Corrupt.
Disney doesn’t play games with a corrupt hands. The legislators are as guilty as DeSantis for pushing abusive and corrupt legislation.
Within the next five years, it will all be taken down and removed and Florida will no longer be a red state
Rob Desantos
May 1, 2023 at 4:47 pm
Well the Florida GOP has no shortage or tools, that’s for sure.
Take Randy Fine — please!
Ocean Joe
May 1, 2023 at 5:23 pm
OK. Good for the lap dog legislature. Biscuits all around.
Now round up those high school kids he berated to stand behind him for the announcement, and convince Sidney Powell to run as VP.
SteveHC
May 1, 2023 at 5:49 pm
Sure *seems* like political corruption bordering on racketeering…
Ben Brook
May 1, 2023 at 7:07 pm
You would think a Harvard Law graduate would have a finely honed sense of justice:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/04/30/desantis-election-police-arrests-florida/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F39e16b0%2F644fe0d7a61bab12f749dc9d%2F596c8144ae7e8a44e7f40065%2F13%2F72%2F644fe0d7a61bab12f749dc9d
Dont Say FLA
May 2, 2023 at 8:25 am
That story about Roh Duh setting up a special state squad specifically for arresting registered voters for having voted, that supports my theory that his death penalty conviction rules change to just a supermajority of the jury being required, that change seems incredibly likely to be wielded as a political tool against people, against just whoever, putting people to death whenever a jury has eight MAGAs who, of course, agree with their views of “the others.” Anybody who isn’t a MAGA should Flee Florida
Michael K
May 3, 2023 at 7:53 am
The point is always cruelty – exhibited over and over again, as with his complete disregard and disrespect for LGBTQ people, Black people and others. He thinks this shows “toughness.” It simply lays bare his weakness. And coward that he is, he ignored. Sunshine law and transparency, refuses to answer questions, and considers himself above the law and common decency.
Dont Say FLA
May 2, 2023 at 8:16 am
Thanks to the GOP Supermajority changing the law so Ron won’t be breaking the law (breaking the law breaking the law), after Ron Duh runs and loses, he can still legally be the venomous reptile that he is.
Andrew Finn
May 2, 2023 at 11:13 am
Of course our spineless lap dog legislature gave Emperor DeSatan what he wanted/demanded once again. Now the egotistical bastard can run for President and still remain Governor of Florida. That way when he has lost out on that he can still be the Fuhrer of Florida, and continue his assault on the state and it’s people. Can’t wait for Disney to destroy him in court.
Comments are closed.