5 takeaways from the exhaustive first week of Florida’s 2023 legislative session

TALLAHASSEE, Florida. The first week of legislative session in Tallahassee was exhausting.

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered an address to the state amid rumors of an impending flight to the White House. There was a surprise bill to ban abortion for six weeks, and senators approved a massive affordable housing plan.

Here are five withdrawals from Tallahassee that occurred this week.

GREAT SPEECH OF DESANTIS

DeSantis has released a new book and travels to states like Iowa. In addition, his campaign has begun releasing new ads that appear targeted at the president. It looks like DeSantis is interested in being number one in the nation, but first he needs to deal with the legislative session.

At least half of DeSantis’ big speech Tuesday was a reflection of his first four years in office. He has touted his resistance to COVID-19 mitigation, such as vaccination requirements, his work on “parental rights” in schools, a quick recovery from the hurricane, and a budget surplus.

“Florida is the No. 1 state, and by working together, we will ensure that Florida remains the No. 1 state in this United States,” DeSantis said.

The other half are the governor’s big GOP-backed goals for 2023, which some see as an attempt to shore up their political fortunes in the presidential primaries. DeSantis this year aims to continue its fight against critical race theory in higher education, implement illegal transfer to Florida, and further curb illegal immigration with a sweeping bill.

IMMIGRATION BILL ARRIVED

SB 1718 will penalize businesses that knowingly employ undocumented migrants and increase citizen verification requirements for employers to ensure greater use of the E-Verify system.

State Senator Blaise Ingola, R-Spring Hill State, carries the upper house version of the law. He called it “the strongest and most robust” anti-illegal immigration bill in the United States. The legislator hoped that this would spur other states to pass similar legislation.

“Rebuff to the federal government,” Ingoglia said. “Hopefully this will force the federal government to do something about open borders and fix the legal immigration system.”

ABORTION SURPRISE

The unexpected abortion bill has consumed most of the oxygen this week. The proposal would reduce Florida’s current ban to 15 weeks and reduce it to six. This is about the time when a heartbeat can be detected, but before many people know they are pregnant.

“It’s basically an outright ban,” House Minority Leader Fentris Driskell, Tampa, said in a statement.

Democrats have promised war. Driskell called the SB 300 “a dramatic and radical measure”. She noted that her party did not have enough votes to stop the bill, but called on voters to challenge the policy in the “court of public opinion.”

Republicans, however, appear to be more unanimous on the issue than in previous months. That’s partly because Presidential Senator Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples State, backed the bill, saying its exceptions for rape and incest were a cornerstone.

UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS COMING COMING

The GOP plan for universal school vouchers is moving closer to the governor’s table despite an uncertain price tag and ongoing criticism that it will benefit those who can already afford private tuition.

The measure passed through the latest House committee on Friday morning, with one Democrat joining the Republicans in support. If passed into law, the plan will open access to taxpayer-funded scholarships to all Florida students, regardless of income or ability. Homeschoolers can also access funds to pay for things like study equipment or tutors.

Supporters said they are creating an opportunity for families to shape education the way they want by ensuring that public money follows the child.

“This bill fulfills a promise many of us have made for a long time,” said Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay. “Each student should receive every dollar for every choice they and their parents feel is best for their child.”

Many Democrats opposed the plan. One big problem is cost. The House of Representatives estimates the expansion at $210 million. However, nonprofits have said the program will cost billions of dollars.

Others say the program will divert too many dollars from public schools to private schools that lack academic standards. Rep. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach, believes the program will benefit too many who already pay tuition.

“Damn it, Tiger Woods kids can claim [school] vouchers,” Casello said. — Does it make sense? We lose sight of what a voucher program for the disadvantaged is to give them equal opportunity in education. This cancels all recommendations.”

The bill is now going to the House of Representatives for consideration. This week the Senate version passed from second to last committee. There is still no price estimate.

LIVE LOCAL GETS THE GREEN LIGHT

The upper house also unanimously approved a massive affordable housing bill on Wednesday night.

He uses various tax incentives and programs to incentivize private developers to create more housing for the workforce. “Live Local Act” is the main policy of Passidomo. She said the goal is to get more people to live where they work.

“Right now, the entire state is almost in a housing crisis,” Passidomo said. “We have to do something.”

There were concerns that the bill would limit the power of local governments to control rents, but even some critics believe the benefits outweigh the costs.

The House of Representatives then receives the “Live Local Act” bill, and Passidomo expects a vote in the coming weeks. DeSantis also said he supported the measure.