A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t opposed to a Special Session of the Legislature this year. But he continues to maintain that he has “no plans” to call one.
“You know, I’ve been asked, would you do more immigration? Of course, I’ll do more immigration,” DeSantis said, referring to legislation like Texas’ SB 4, which he said he liked during a Fox News hit in March.
As the Texas Tribune reports, the bill could put border crossers in jail for six months on their first offense, and up to 20 years for a repeat offense. It would also force Judges to order repatriation, with local law enforcement responsible for taking undocumented immigrants back to the border.
“I am for some of the things that people have been talking about, but we don’t have a plan necessarily to do a Special Session,” DeSantis said, before offering a bit more ambiguity.
“You know, if there are things that we need to do, then I’m sure that the Legislature will want to do it. But as of now we’re moving forward with the budget,” he added Tuesday.
Florida’s Governor made the comments at Gators Portside in Cape Canaveral.
DeSantis had said he wanted a Special Session more than a month ago.
“I’m working with folks to craft, if there’s something we can do in a Special Legislative Session, to give our law enforcement more authority to arrest and detain, because I think that will be a huge disincentive for people to come if we can do it,” DeSantis said on the Sean Hannity radio show.
Since then, there has been a persistent buzz that he wanted the Legislature to reconvene to address immigration and potentially other issues, including more constitutional amendments to clog up the ballot and remove focus from abortion and marijuana legalization proposals.
But he’s stopping short of saying that’s what he wants to do.
4 comments
Dont Say FLA
May 7, 2024 at 12:23 pm
In other words the state legislature has not yet given him his marching orders. Lame DuckSantis does not know yet whether to jump or not to jump. That is the question., and he hasn’t been told yet what his answer is going to be.
The state legislature gave Rhonda shade for his campaign expenditures, and then they said “You don’t have to resign. You can stay on as Gov after losing without even one county in Iowa.”
And now the legislature own A Fish Named Rhonda. (Or a duck, as the case may be, but duck references are saved for the Donaldzzzzzzzzzz)
MH/Duuuval
May 7, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Whatever His Eminence Dee-sires.
taco nacho
May 8, 2024 at 9:40 am
Seriously? “of course I’ll do more immigration…” Newspeak. What he means apparently is of course I will bully humans seeking to come to Florida or citizens who are not white by having law enforcement demanding to “show me your papers” so that they can be arrested if they come up short. Does Florida really have a problem with immigration or is Rona just still campaigning to be President?
Unknown Trooper
May 8, 2024 at 11:02 am
A.G.
Just so you know, but the Florida Legislature has screwed the Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which is the mother ship for the Florida Highway Patrol.
The agency DHSMV will tell you there’s not a hiring freeze @ FHP due to most positions being filled, that’s NOT true. DHSMV is NOT fully funded to operate as needed. The DHSMV has almost 700 vacancies due to lack of funding. FHP has not been allowed to make promotions almost this entire fiscal year.
The agency has almost eliminated all overtime, due to a massive budget short fall.
The Troopers under the DeSantis executive order have been in Texas since March of 2023 as part of Operation Lone Star. Current troopers at the border total 50. The initial footprint was 101 troopers at the Texas border. Due to the below events, the staffing in Texas was reduced to 50, last October or November.
Troopers ( 70-75 Troopers) provided security at over seventy Jewish synagogues and schools after the October 7th massacre in Israel.
Troopers have been deployed to the Florida Keys (20) and Treasure Coast (20) under the moniker of Operation Faithful Service.
The law enforcement coverage continues, as DeSantis has directed troopers to be at Florida Universities and State College to quell unruly protesters.
DeSantis and his staff, as well as Speaker of the House Paul Renner and Senate President Pasadomo are all very well aware of the dire position of FHP and DHSMV.
The troopers and their union, Florida PBA , want nothing more than to be fully funded. The troopers have performed admirably, they just want to be treated right.
Basically, in a nutshell, the Florida Republicans in charge of funding the Highway Patrol have DEFUNDED the State Troopers. PBA union president, William Smith has fought tooth and nail for a resolution to solve this critical problem. So far, DeSantis and the Florida Republicans in charge have ignored this massive problem.
Please reach out to William Smith with the Florida PBA, he’s a trooper and union president who represents the rank and file members.
is Bills email address
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