Lauren Book Issues Rebuttal to DeSantis' State of the State Address

State Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-FL) has released her rebuttal to Governor Ron DeSantis’ State of the State Address.

In a series of videos posted on social media, Minority Leader Book described Gov. DeSantis’ speech as a compilation of “carefully curated talking points” that fail to demonstrate a “darker reality.”

She also jabbed at Gov. DeSantis and his presidential campaign.

“We just heard the Governor speak about Florida’s triumphs, yet, underneath carefully curated talking points, a much darker reality is clear,” said Minority Leader Book. “The very essence of what has made our state great for decades is under continued threat due to an increasingly out-of-touch and extreme agenda championed by the Republican Party of Florida and a Governor who is more preoccupied with running for President than solving problems in our state.”

She continued by listing the agenda that Florida State Senate Democrats are pushing despite facing an opposing supermajority.

“Together, Florida Senate Democrats are fighting for you, filing legislation to ensure Floridians have the freedom to be economically strong, healthy, and safe. That’s why I’m fighting to make sure women aren’t jailed over abortion care and low-income seniors stay afloat amidst the ongoing property insurance crisis,” said Book.

Finally, the state senator took the opportunity to address her base ranging from educators to truckers.

“We are proud to fight for teachers and truck drivers, for women and their doctors, for farmers and small business owners, students and our seniors. Because until every Floridian has access to economic opportunity, safe communities, and the freedom to realize their own version of the American dream, Florida’s promise is failing,” said Book.

Recently, the State Senate Minority Leader announced that the legality of abortion will be on the ballot in the 2024 election. Nearly 900,000 signatures and a threshold of verified petitions from at least 14 different congressional districts in the Sunshine State for this to happen.

This is how the potential amendment will read if the pro-choice movement is persuasive enough for Floridians come November.

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”

In April of 2023, Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signed legislation that banned abortions after six weeks. It passed by a vote of 26-13 in the State Senate and 70-40 in the State House of Representatives.

After the decision from the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states around the country have had their own say on the abortion issue. It could be the most important topic of the 2024 election.