Family First, Florida First

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to press forward with his Florida First, Family First agenda, but some of his long-time progressive political enemies continue to push back against his governorship.

The recent “Alimony bill” that calls for a 50/50 child custody time split between parents is threatened by several progressive groups in hopes that the Governor does not sign the measure currently sitting on his desk.

Many of the pro-Family, Conservative groups that have backed DeSantis over the years have been lobbying the Executive Office in support of the bill. READ MORE

 

"Democrats Highlight Gun Control by Wearing Orange" By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Over the weekend, Florida Democrats shared their support for gun control amidst a number of shootings across the country. The weekend marked Wear Orange, which is an effort meant to raise awareness about gun violence. Across the United States, lawmakers wore orange, the White House was lit orange, and lawmakers expressed the need for gun control measures to address gun violence.

"Florida 'Red-Flag' Law Eyed Amid Gun Debate" by the News Service of Florida—TALLAHASSEE --- As a national debate rages over gun laws after last month’s mass shooting at a Texas elementary school, proponents of “red-flag” policies point to a Florida law as a model for states seeking to strip deadly weapons from people who could cause harm.

"Progressive Advocacy Groups Oppose Gov DeSantis' Family First, Parental Rights Agenda" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—As Senate Bill 1796, legislation related to family law and child time-sharing awaits Family First Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, left-wing groups such as the progressive League of Women Voters and the National Organization of Women (NOW) continue to lobby against the measure on behalf of trial lawyers who stand to lose millions of dollars in billable hours if Gov. DeSantis signs this family-first bill into law.

"Florida School District Bans Bookbags over Potential Security Threat" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Fort Lauderdale— Parents with school-age children that attend schools within the Broward County School District have been told that as of Tuesday June 7th, “no bookbags and backpacks will be permitted in any school building” as the school district may have received a credit threat (s) of violence that could take place in the last days of the school year.

"Gaetz Calls 'Red Flag Law' Supporters Traitors to Constitution" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) sent a clear message to Republicans who support red flag laws and shared his own feelings about the possibility of this type of legislation getting passed in the Senate. This issue has divided some Republicans. Those who support red flag laws usually go to the “common sense” defense while those who oppose usually immediately call their colleagues RINO’s.

"DeSantis Nixes Mask Punishment for Schools" by the News Service of Florida—TALLAHASSEE — Breaking from the Legislature’s efforts to punish school districts that imposed mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday directed Florida’s new education commissioner to ignore a plan that would have made the districts ineligible for $200 million.

"Eskamani Endorses Crist for Governor" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina

"Not Every Republican Lawmaker Supported DeSantis' 'Freedom First' Budget" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the long-anticipated $109.9 billion “Freedom First” budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at the Republican voter stronghold, The Villages.

"Scott on Rising Gas Prices: "Enough is Enough" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Yesterday, The Floridian reported about the nationwide rising gas prices. The historic highs have brought some of the most mind-boggling numbers this country has ever seen. We reported that gas prices reached its highest rate ever. We reported that in just one day, the national average went up 5 cents. We reported that in just one month, it went up 50 cents. We reported that in just one year, it went up $1.63 roughly. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, the national average went up 4 more cents today.

"Webster Receives 60 Plus Endorsement" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—The senior citizen organization, 60 Plus, has officially endorsed Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) for reelection. 60 Plus is a nonpartisan, non-profit advocacy group with a “free enterprise, less government, and fewer taxes view towards issues important to seniors” according to their website.

'It's Okay to Say Gay' Billboards Continue to pop up in Florida" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—June is Pride month in the LGBTQ community and activists in Florida are out in force trying to bring more attention to the false “Don’t Say Gay” political narrative that was coined during the 2022 legislative session that concluded in March.

"LGBTQ Political Catfight Ensues Between Christina Pushaw and Carlos Guillermo Smith" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The month of June is known to the Gay community around the world as "Pride Month" and it was only a matter of time before outspoken Progressive Florida Democrats like Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (Florida's FIRST LGBTQ Latino legislator) became unhinged or triggered over something Gov. Ron DeSantis's press secretary Christina Pushaw said to counter or question the narratives coming out of the militant-wing of the gay community.

"Rubio Team: Demings is 'a far-Left Radical'" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) has campaigned to amass support to unseat Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R). However, this week, Demings’ candidacy was finalized as she officially filed to run for the Florida Senate. Though Democrats are hopeful that Demings can defeat Rubio in November, the Rubio campaign continues to dismiss her candidacy, calling her “a far-left radical” that will not become a Florida Senator.

"DeSantis: 'Brandon... America's Most Unpopular President'" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is facing 3 Democratic gubernatorial challengers in the 2022 midterm election cycle, the Republican Governor has solely focused his efforts against President Joe Biden (D). This week, the feud continues as DeSantis further accuses “Brandon” of being “America’s most unpopular president.”

"Congressional Candidate Scotty Moore Runs to Oust Darren Soto" by The Floridian's Jim McCool

"Gas Prices Reach a New Historic High" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—In the middle of March, The Floridian wrote multiple stories on the rising gas prices, inflation, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and how all three are intertwined. Some politicians, some experts, and statistics themselves tried to warn us about the devastating effects that would occur in the weeks to come. But it appears our statesmen and stateswomen did not listen.

"New Poll: Majority of Florida Republicans Support Legal Abortion Access" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Between the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion to throw out Roe v. Wade, and Florida proposing even more legislation to crack down on the practice, abortion has made its way back to center stage for plenty of Floridians. While the state is leaning more red than ever, a recent poll suggests that a majority of Florida Republicans favor legalized abortion.

"Michael Grieco Drops State Senate Bid" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

"Leader of Revived State Guard Sought" by News Service of Florida—Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office is advertising for a director of the revived Florida State Guard.

The director, who must have “knowledge of military culture and organization” for a position considered part-time, would be responsible for recruiting, training, and mobilizing the 400-member volunteer guard, which was approved by lawmakers this year to supplement the Florida National Guard during emergencies.

"Gas Prices Could Affect Storm Evacuations" by News Service of Florida—Record fuel prices could make many Floridians less willing to evacuate if they are threatened by hurricanes, the AAA auto club said. With the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Florida at a near-record $4.57 on Tuesday, AAA released survey results that said 42 percent of Floridians might be hesitant about getting out of harm’s way because of fuel prices.

"Fried Continues to Attack Crist on his Past and Present Gun Stance" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

"PGA Tour Takes Troubling Stance Towards College Athletes and Amateur Golfers" By The Staff at The Floridian—If you are a golf fan, you’ve likely heard about the PGA Tour’s ongoing battle with competing circuits like Greg Norman’s newly launched LIV Golf series or the proposed Premier Golf League, both of which have positioned themselves as upstart disruptors to the PGA Tour’s status quo. As anticipated, the PGA Tour has taken a zero-tolerance policy towards pros who have shown interest in competing on rival tours, threatening to fine or even ban players who tee it up in a LIV Golf competition. Whether this stance proves to be effective, or even legal, remains to be seen.

"Rubio Introduces Bill in Attempt to Block Iran Deal" By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—The Iran Deal, or as it’s formally known, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was originally brought about in the later stages of the Obama administration (Joe Biden was Vice President at the time). It was struck down by former President Donald Trump (R) early on in his presidency. Since the transition, President Joe Biden has been working to reinstate the deal.

"Anti-Gun Activist David Hogg Called Out, Falsely Takes Credit for Gun Legislation in Florida" By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Since the horrific day that was February 14th, 2018, in Parkland, Florida, lives have been changed forever. Parents lost children, siblings lost siblings, and friends lost friends. The shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School understandably devastated the South Florida community, the state of Florida, and the United States as a whole.

"Republicans Target Former New Less-Democratic South Florida Congressional Seat" By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Republicans are poised to take control of the U.S. Senate in 2022 as Americans continue to reject the foreign and domestic policies that congressional Democrats and President Joe Biden have put forward since taking control of the U.S. Congress and White House in 2020.

"Lee County, FL 10-Year-Old Arrested for School Shooting Threat After Uvalde" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—It has been one week since the tragic attack on the Uvalde, TX elementary school that left 19 children and adults dead. Now, the recent awareness has spiked the public interest on the subject of school shootings, so much so that a Lee County 10-year-old was arrested for making a school shooting threat.

"Biden Suggests Banning Popular 9mm Handguns" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

"Waltz: Biden Not Sending Long Range Missiles to Ukraine is a 'BAD Decision'" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—As advertised on the header of his Twitter account, Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) became the first Green Beret elected to Congress when he won the Florida's District 6 seat in 2018. Since 2019, he’s been one of the more prominent Floridian Republican voices in the House, such as making appearances on Fox News regularly, such as on Monday.

"Rick Scott Legislation to Help Build Southern Border Wall" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—While the border crisis has persisted, many Florida politicians have stepped up to the task of reinforcing the southern border.  US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has now introduced legislation to help border states build a wall on the southern border.

"Flynn and Roger Stone Stump for Loomer in The Villages Against Rep. Webster" By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Conservative journalist and political firebrand Laura Loomer is making waves, and this time, following redistricting, Loomer is now running in a Republican majority congressional district and could very well be in position to win a seat