Florida's legislative session nears its end
From the looks of it, Gov. Ron DeSantis will be signing into law legislation that will not only appease the Republican-led state legislature, but the throngs of activists and politicos that ushered him into office last November.
Arming teachers, sanctuary cities, and other high profile and controversial issues have passed the necessary legislative committees, and could hit the governor's desk in the coming week or so. DeSantis is also getting what he wants and needs for Floridians from the federal government.
It helps that he is a close ally of President Trump
DODGING BERNIE SANDERS - Sanders dodges questions over race at "She the People" women of color town hall meeting in Houston: In a particularly striking moment, host Aimee Allison asked Sanders what he would do to fight white-supremacist violence. In response, Sanders launched into a familiar anecdote that -- perhaps precisely because of its familiarity -- seemed to crash and burn.
"I know I date myself a little bit here, but I actually was at the March on Washington with Dr. [Martin Luther] King back in 1963," Sanders began, as audible groans and jeers broke out at the auditorium at Texas Southern University. One person apparently shouted, "We know!"-FOX NEWS
PANDERING THROUGH ELECTION SEASON -2020 Democratic presidential candidates (the guys) appear to be pandering for the female. Sen. Cory Booker joins Rep. Eric Swalwell in saying that they would pick a woman as VP running mate, if they won their party's nomination.
DRAINING THE SWAMP ONE CRITTER AT A TIME -Trump: “I am Breaking Down the Swamp” by The Floridian's Daniel Molina:As Democrats look to compromise on whether or not they should pursue an impeachment process against President Trump, the President briefly spoke to reporters this morning to discuss several things that are on his mind. READ MORE
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THE GREAT SATAN? - "Omar Faces Backlash for “Black Hawk Down” Tweet" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina:Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar is embroiled in more controversy involving questionable comments she has made in the past.
In a 2015 tweet that has resurfaced, Omar argues that United States forces killed “thousands” of Somalis during the 1993 mission known as “Black Hawk Down.” This claim directly goes against what many analysts confirm is a much smaller number. READ MORE
SCOTUS UP TO BAT - "U.S. Supreme Court to hear citizenship question argument" by HISPOLITICA:Enumeration Clause of the Constitution states that Congress must count or conduct an “actual enumeration” of the entire population of the United States, including those individuals who lack U.S. citizenship. READ MORE
JUST ONE PHONE CALL DID IT - "Democrats Hold Conference Call on Mueller Report--READ MORE
JUST WORDS - House Democrat questions “why we keep using this word collusion?” by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres:Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA) appeared on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha McCallum,” where the freshman congressman told fill-n host Ed Henry that she has all-but supportive of House impeachment proceedings against President Trump.READ MORE
GO AHEAD, MAKE HIS DAY - "Trump threatens Mexico with armed soldiers at border" by HISPOLITICA: President Trump has drawn a line in the desert with Mexico, as the president threatened to send armed U.S. soldiers to the southern border after a Mexican military patrol drew their weapons on a group of U.S. National Guardsmen patrolling the border.
“Mexico’s Soldiers recently pulled guns on our National Guard Soldiers, probably as a diversionary tactic for drug smugglers on the Border. Better not happen again! We are now sending ARMED SOLDIERS to the Border. Mexico is not doing nearly enough in apprehending & returning!” he tweeted.READ MORE
"Democrats question trump impeachment moving forward" by HISPOLITICA:Leading up to the conclusion of the Mueller report, Democrats were waiting for the report to confirm that the Trump administration and Russia had colluded in order to get Trump to win the presidency in 2016.READ MORE
Detained leader of border militia beat up in jail" by NBC News READ MORE
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BEING DEALT A BLOW - ‘Sanctuary cities’ bill clears Florida House by News Service of Florida:TALLAHASSEE — After a long and fiery debate about how the state should deal with illegal immigration, the Florida House on Wednesday passed legislation that seeks to crack down on local governments that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. READ MORE
ARMING TEACHERS-Senate passes controversial school safety bill by News Service of Florida:TALLAHASSEE — In search of a solution that will prevent another school massacre, a sharply divided Florida Senate on Tuesday passed a wide-ranging school safety bill that includes a controversial provision aimed at adding armed teachers to the line of defense.
The Senate passed the bill on a 22-17 vote, READ MORE
NEXT ROUND OF SHOTS ARE ON DeSANTIS - " DeSantis signs first death warrant for serial killer by News Service of Florida:Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed his first death warrant, with an execution scheduled May 23 for Tampa-area serial killer Robert Joseph Long, according to documents posted on the Florida Supreme Court website. Long was sentenced to death in the May 1984 murder of Michelle Simms after picking her up on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa. READ MORE
SUNSHINE - "Project Sunrise” Wants Florida to Shine by The Floridian's Daniel Molina: The Florida Council of 100 released a report today that they’re calling a comprehensive roadmap for the sunshine state’s next 12 years. READ MORE
DO NOT PASS 'GO' - "FL court denies fmr. Broward Sheriff, upholds his suspension" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres:The Florida Supreme Court has ruled against embattled former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who was appealing his suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis.READ MORE
Biden is finally in the race, but how long will his poll bump last? Leading up to his announcement, Biden was only leading the field of Democratic presidential candidates by 7 points. He'll get the bump, but the others are right on his heals, and what will happen when Bernie Sanders starts unloading on him. This will be an epic Progressive vs Liberal civil war.
@realDonaldTrump
The Great State of Tennessee is so close to passing School Choice. All of our Nation’s children, regardless of background, deserve a shot at achieving the American Dream! Time to get this done, so important!
-President Donald Trump
Adam Schiff @RepAdamSchiff
Today, Trump said he is the most transparent president in the history of our nation.
If by transparent, he means opposing every request for documents and testimony by Congress,
And obstructing Mueller’s investigation,
Then I don’t think that word means what he thinks it means.
“-Rep. Adam Schiff (D)
"Like many public systems, GOP want to rip the battery out + say the whole car doesn’t work, so they can sell it for parts.
Fully funding the VA & hiring to fill the *49k vacancies* is a clear path to improving it - not auctioning off our vet care systems to for-profit companies."-Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Unfortunately, all "public systems" have either failed or are failing, including the VA. Maybe she should ask a veteran about his or her's experience with the VA. My father is a vet and has to wait months on end for a single follow up appointment. The VA is broken,needs to be replace, at the very least, streamlined,
More Ocasio-Cortez
AOC supports Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, but maybe not for long. Maduro just announced that his government has just reactivated a Mineral coal mine in his country. Sooooo not very "Green New Deal"
OAS wants more sanctions and use of force against Maduro's regime by El Nuevo Herald
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, on Wednesday called for more economic sanctions and an eventual use of force to resolve the situation in Venezuela, a process he considered "difficult".
Venezuela, plunged into an economic crisis unprecedented in the recent history of the region, since January has been a pulse for power between the interim president Juan Guaidó, recognized by the United States and more than 50 countries, and the ruling Nicolás Maduro, clinging to the charge with support from the military, Russia and China.
READ MORE
THE REPUBLICAN
Rick Scott @SenRickScott
Today I was on the bridge of Unity where it @Nicolasmaduro blocked humanitarian aid to #VZ.
The people of VZ are asking for help and we need to respond. Thanks to@IvanDuque being a strong ally for the people OF VZ and @jguaido.
THE DEMOCRAT
US Rep Kathy Castor @USRepKCastor
US Rep Kathy Castor Retweeted American Lung Assoc.
The climate crisis is making our air dirtier. @LungAssociation just gave Hillsborough County a "D" grade for air quality. This is why we need
44 Arrested in Operation Meth Death Peddlers
LAKELAND, FL — A total of 44 people have been charged with various drug-related offenses during a more than year-long investigation dubbed "Operation Meth Death Peddlers," according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
"These drug dealers have blood on their hands. They make money off of the misery of others," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in announcing the arrests at a news conference Wednesday. "They use violence as a means to enforce their business rules. Everything about what they do is violent to our communities and our quality of life."
Judd said some of the people arrested were suspected of trafficking multi-kilo shipments of methamphetamine. In 2017, the last complete year for which there is data, there were a combined 68 meth-related deaths in Polk, Hardee and Highlands County, contributing to 858 meth-related deaths across Florida that same year, according to Judd. READ MORE
