The "Free State of Florida"
The first day of the 2022 Florida legislative session turned into a political tussle between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
Tuesday was all about Gov. DeSantis, who took a “yuge” victory lap, touting his “Free State of Florida” governing.
DeSantis didn't forget to acknowledge his wife First Lady during the speech, saying that his wife Casey would be “Cancer-free” in 2022,
But just as Gov. DeSantis hit a political home run to deep right field, Commissioner Fried counter-messaged the popular Florida governor and that’s when it all went to the dogs.
Commissioner Fried said Gov. DeSantis used his “Ideological hit parade of fake conservatism” to appease his base of Republican support.
Fried also alleged that DeSantis's use of terms like “Freedom” and “Free State of Florida” was to rally his base of support. Fried called these terms dog whistles. READ MORE
Speaking of Dogging…
Gov. DeSantis only took questions from a few Tallahassee reporters, ignoring the Mary Ellen Klas and Gary Fineouts of the media world.
Just as he concluded his press conference moments after concluding his speech, DeSantis took about 5 questions from reporters before rushing off and saying that he wife Casey was waiting on him.
DeSantis even refused to shake Commissioner Fried’s hand upon entering the House Chamber to give his State-of-the-State address. DeSantis did shake Fried’s hand as he exited the room.
Democrats win Special Election
As expected, Democrats have retained the House seat held by Rep. Alcee Hastings. READ MORE
Marco Rubio=Today Biden will give a speech about a fake threat to minority voting rights Meanwhile @US_FDA is telling doctors to use the “race & ethnicity” of Covid patients to decide which ones get monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals
Debbie Wasserman Schultz-Congratulations @Sheila4Congress! @HouseDemocrats fight for affordable health care, prescriptions and child care needs another ally, and one who can pick up where our South Fla. champion and departed Rep. Alcee Hastings left off.
Chris Sprowls-It was an honor to welcome Detective Paul Griffith of @PSLPolice to the Florida House this morning as this session's first Law Enforcement Officer of the Day. We are grateful for his service.
SpencerRoach-No governor in the country is more devoted to defending the Constitution than America’s Governor, Ron DeSantis!
Rep. Anna V. Eskamani -Check out the new fourth grade learning kit for civics! These are resources that lawmakers can bring w/us when talking to elementary age students about state government. This was developed w/the insight of teachers alongside the Clerk’s Office & Speaker @ChrisSprowls’ office!
Florida Senate Democrats-“For two decades Republicans have led our state to serve a select few instead of the hard-working Floridians.” - @LeaderBookFL Through common sense policies focused on the economy, education, safe communities, health and the environment, we are putting Floridians first.
Shevrin “Shev” Jones-As we prepare to do away with FSA testing and move into progress monitoring for our students, we must:
Gradually move into this change.
Educate parents about progress monitoring.
ADEQUATELY train our teachers.
Don’t leave our ESE students behind.
Rep. Carlos G Smith-Governor #DeSantis just spoke for close to an hour and didn’t mention #affordablehousing a single time. Not once. Floridians need relief
"Both Republicans and Democrats use 'Ghost Candidates" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Two of Florida’s most progressive state legislators, Reps. Anna Eskamani and Carlos Guillermo Smith, have joined fellow Democratic legislators, Angie Nixon and Tavaris McCurdy, to pen a letter to the Florida Public Service Commission asking them to conduct an audit into Florida Power & Light (FPL) “to determine whether ratepayer money was used, directly or indirectly, to finance the fake candidate schemes,” or "ghost candidates."
"GOP Immigration Proposal Emerges" by the News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders—TALLAHASSEE — In one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities for this year’s legislative session, two Republican lawmakers have filed a proposal that seeks to ratchet up immigration enforcement. In the state.
"Implementation is Key to Make Progress Monitoring Work for Students" OPINION—When COVID-19 caused the cancellation of state assessments in 2020, it created a rare opportunity to re-evaluate what parts of our public education system were working and which needed changes.
"Progressive Supervisor of Elections in Florida Asks GOP Candidate if He's With 'Proud Boys' (VIDEO)" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Progressive Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott has recently been caught on camera appearing to take sides in the contentious special congressional election in Florida’s 20th District by asking Republican congressional nominee Jason Mariner if he was a member of the Proud Boys and if he had “thrown up” hand signs that could be portrayed as racist.
"Democrat Cruises to Win in Hastings District" by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders—TALLAHASSEE — More than nine months after the death of U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, South Florida voters Tuesday elected Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to succeed him.
"Rubio Campaign Calls Demings ‘Politically Convenient’ by The Floridian's Daniel Molina
“Florida can use those 1 million expired COVID-19 tests, after all ” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kirby Wilson— “At the Florida Capitol on Tuesday, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie ran into Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. He had news for her. The federal government has agreed to give Florida another three-month extension to use the nearly 1 million rapid COVID-19 test kits that expired in a state warehouse at the end of December, Guthrie said. Fried,
"Waltz Accuses Olympics Committee of ‘Hypocrisy’ by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Rep. Michael Waltz (R) has penned an op-ed for Fox News, discussing the upcoming Beijing Olympics. The Florida Republican, taking issue with the International Olympic Committee, accused the committee of “hypocrisy,” arguing that “China will use Olympics to camouflage, distort and hide their oppressive authoritarian regime.
“Florida Republicans craft restrictive abortion law Democrats have little power to stop” by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian— Republicans who control the Florida Legislature have spent months crafting the proposal after Texas lawmakers in May banned all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy and opened up abortion providers to lawsuits from private individuals.
"Democrat Fried Says "Free State of Florida" a DeSantis Dog Whistle" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Tallahassee—In response to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s State of the State address, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried held a press conference to pan all of Gov. DeSantis talking points, especially his use of the terms “Freedom” and “the Free State of Florida,” which she refers to as a “dog whistle.”
“DeSantis: Freedom is good, COVID mandates, lockdowns are bad” by The Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington
"Ron DeSantis Reinforces Florida's Ban On CRT" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Tallahassee, FL - Florida has easily been one of the most proactive in shooting down Critical Race theory education almost one year ago. Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) kicked off his State of the State Address further reinforced the state's ban on CRT in the classrooms.
"DeSantis Takes Shots at Fauci in State of the State Address" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Tallahassee, FL - Today's State of the State Address before the Florida House, was always poised to be a politically-charge speech. Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) delivered, opening up his State of the State Address by taking shots at Dr. Anthony Fauci and the federal government.
"RNC Sues NYC Election Officials To Block Law Allowing Noncitizens To Vote" by The Floridian's Mona Salama
“Florida Senate panel backs bill to overhaul students’ annual testing” by Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos and Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek
Both Republicans and Democrats use 'Ghost Candidates" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Two of Florida’s most progressive state legislators, Reps. Anna Eskamani and Carlos Guillermo Smith, have joined fellow Democratic legislators, Angie Nixon and Tavaris McCurdy, to pen a letter to the Florida Public Service Commission asking them to conduct an audit into Florida Power & Light (FPL) “to determine whether ratepayer money was used, directly or indirectly, to finance the fake candidate schemes,” or "ghost candidates."
"GOP Immigration Proposal Emerges" by the News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders—TALLAHASSEE — In one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities for this year’s legislative session, two Republican lawmakers have filed a proposal that seeks to ratchet up immigration enforcement. In the state.
"Implementation is Key to Make Progress Monitoring Work for Students" OPINION—When COVID-19 caused the cancellation of state assessments in 2020, it created a rare opportunity to re-evaluate what parts of our public education system were working and which needed changes.
"Progressive Supervisor of Elections in Florida Asks GOP Candidate if He's With 'Proud Boys' (VIDEO)" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Progressive Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott has recently been caught on camera appearing to take sides in the contentious special congressional election in Florida’s 20th District by asking Republican congressional nominee Jason Mariner if he was a member of the Proud Boys and if he had “thrown up” hand signs that could be portrayed as racist.
"Senate 2022 Field Officially Set: Thune and Johnson To Run for Reelection" by The Floridian's Mona Salama
"DeSantis Blames Federal Gov. Failures on Lack of Therapeutic COVID-19 Treatment" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Amid controversial accusations of stockpiling COVID-19 tests, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has publicly come blaming the federal government's failures on a lack of monoclonal and therapeutic treatments for COVID-19.
(Exclusive to the Floridian) "Rubio: Biden ‘Doesn’t Enforce the law’" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—As President Joe Biden’s (D) Administration nears its first year in office, the President is touting accomplishments while GOP lawmakers are raising concerns. Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R), who’s currently running a reelection campaign against Florida Rep. Val Demings (R) , spoke to The Floridian about the Biden Administration’s response to illegal immigration and the border.
"Fried accuses DeSantis of Trying to ‘Circumvent Oversight’" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina
"Building Inspections Proposed After Surfside Collapse" by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders
"Fried Responds to DeSantis's Confirmation That COVID Test Kits Expired" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—During Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's recent press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, The Floridian publisher, Javier Manjarres, asked the governor about the accusation made against him by Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried (D-FL), who accused him of letting COVID-19 test kits expire.
"Byron Donalds Says he Will Hold Pelosi Accountable for Capitol Riot" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—On the 1-year anniversary of the January 6th Capitol riot, Democratic legislators are using the ominous day to push their media narrative that former President Donald Trump and many of his supporters, actually tried to overthrow the federal government.
"Charlie Crist Accuses DeSantis of 'Aiding and Abetting' Jan. 6th Rioters" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—One year ago today the infamous January 6th riot on Capitol Hill took place in an effort to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Now, Democrats are expected to start talking up the events again with gubernatorial candidate and US Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) accusing Governor DeSantis (R-FL) of "aiding and abetting," January 6th rioters.
"Biden Blames Trump For Jan.6 Capitol Riot" by The Floridian's Mona Salama—President Biden marked the one-year anniversary of the Jan 6 Capitol riot by repeatedly bashing former President Donald Trump while rallying Senate Democrats to force the passage of sweeping federal election reforms.
"DeSantis Compares Capitol Riot to 'Assassination Attempt of Republican members of Congress' by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—During a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked his thoughts about the 1-year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot, where the first term governor compared the riot to the “attempted assassination of Republican members of Congress” at congressional baseball game practice on June 14, 2017.
"Surgeon General Ladapo: People Want to Live" by The Floridian's Jim McCool
"DeSantis Slams ‘Blue State hypocrites’ by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) campaign is taking aim at “blue state hypocrites” after his team welcomed Florida Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D) to Miami Beach over New Year’s weekend. Gov. DeSantis, who’s received heavy criticism for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, once again directed verbal jabs at the Democratic firebrand, referencing her criticism and the policies that have been enacted in New York.
"Mayor Levine-Cava Backs Taddeo for Governor" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—State Senator Annette Taddeo (D) said this week that she would be traveling across Florida’s 67 to engage voters and to affirm that she’s working for the entire state. When Taddeo stops by Miami-Dade County, she’ll have one new lawmaker in her corner. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced her endorsement of Taddeo for Governor, calling her a “good friend & home-grown leader.”
"(VIDEO) Empty Grocery Store Shelves Debunk Biden's "Shelves are not Empty" Statement" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—In late December 2021, President Joe Biden announced that the ongoing supply chain interruptions that resulted from the current rate of inflation the U.S. was enduring, stating, “Packages are moving, gifts are being delivered, shelves are not empty.”
"Lt. Gov Nuñez Says Biden is 'Waiving the white flag' on COVID". by The Floridian's Jim McCool—President Biden (D) announcing a change in the federal Pandemic plan, or lack there of, has left Americans shocked after the president promised to end the public health crisis. Today, Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez (R-FL) sounded off on Biden for, "waving the white flag," on COVID-19
"Florida's Legislative Session to Open Without COVID-19 Restrictions" by Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida—TALLAHASSEE --- Legislative leaders are monitoring the spike in coronavirus cases across Florida but haven’t made plans to reimpose restrictions on public access that were used during the 2021 session. With the 2022 legislative session starting Jan. 11, people will be allowed to roam most of the Capitol complex and address lawmakers in person.
"GOP Lawmaker Calls Out Biden's Silence on Crime Wave" by The Floridian's Jim McCool
Potty Mouth Fried Calls DeSantis a Male Sex Organ" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"Cruz: Republicans Have 'Multiple Grounds to Consider' Impeaching Biden After Winning Back House in 2022" by The Floridian's Mona Salama—Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) predicted "there's a chance" Republicans, once they retake back the House following the 2022 midterm elections, would likely move to impeach President Biden, arguing there are "multiple grounds to consider" for impeachment.
"Fried Defends 'Respectable' Convicted Felon Ben Frazier and his Criminal Past" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—As the news broke that Long-time Jacksonville-area actives Ben Frazier was arrested for trespassing shortly before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held another Monoclonal treatment press conference in Jacksonville, prominent Democratic leaders like Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and State Rep. Angie Nixon, referred to Frazier as “respected” as they protested his arrest.
"Allen West Grills Abbott's Operation Lone Star" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—In the state of Texas, LTC. Allen West (R-TX) is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, and today he spoke on the crisis facing the Texas National Guard and Military Department. West grilled the ongoing Operation Lone Star in Texas.
'Rick Scott Predicts Red Wave in 2022 Midterms" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—With the 2022 midterm elections now only 10 months away, political camps are gearing up for plenty of high-stakes electioneering. US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) , who heads up the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), is predicting a red wave in the 2022 midterms.
The JUICE is juiced by Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, and Jim McCool
