The Lounge🍊—2.10.2024—Florida Lawmakers Focus on DEI, Social Media, Defamation—More...

The 2024 Legislative Session is now almost halfway completed, closing out the fifth week of the 9-week period. Tempers are wearing thin as we draw closer to the end, with a Republican expressing his "disgust" over Democrats storming out of a bill hearing. Other controversial issues this week included abortion rights, "identity politics" in the classroom, parental rights, and defamation suits against journalists.

In DeSantis news, the Governor is preparing to send the newly expanded State Guard to secure the Texas border. A new State Guard director—the third in less than two years—was unanimously confirmed this week, demonstrating Florida's commitment toward increased immigration protections. Furthermore, his call for increased parental rights in a new social media ban for minors appears to go unnoticed in the Senate...

This week's newsletter encapsulates the newest hard-hitting legislation, complete with intense debates down party lines and two exclusive interviews with top lawmakers.

On Democratic Opposition to Confederate Monuments:

Sen. Jonathan Martin: "Where are the Democrats? These are my colleagues, and we work together on so many bills, and I'm disgusted that they're gone right now,"

Sen. President Kathleen Passidomo: "I'm not going to bring a bill to the Floor that is so abhorrent to everybody, so I don't know yet,"

On Social Media Ban for Minors:

Sen. Jason Pizzo: "I promote parents, especially in this environment where it's all about parental choice...I support parents raising their children in a matter that they see fit. Parents should make that choice and make that decision about what they think is appropriate,"

Sen. Joe Gruters: "In the Senate it's going to be interesting to see how [the bill] ends up. I think the idea behind it is solid and I'm anticipating supporting the final product, but it's yet to be determined what it's going to be,"

Democrats Storm Out of Bill Hearing for Confederate Monuments

Senate Democrats stormed out of committee at the introduction of a new bill that would punish anyone who removes, damages, or destroys a Confederate monument or memorial. After a proponent congratulated the bill's fight for...READ MORE

New Florida State Guard Director Confirmed Amidst Governor's Plan to Deploy Them to Texas

Mere days after Gov. DeSantis announced that the state's version of the national guard will be sent to the Texas border to fight illegal immigration, U.S. Marine veteran Mark Thieme was unanimously confirmed Monday as the new...READ MORE

Florida Wants to Grant Law Enforcement $10 Million to Catch Pedophiles—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—Local law enforcement agencies may receive a $10 million grant to fund online sting operations, designed to apprehend online...

Republican Lawmaker Wants to Ban 'Identity Politics' in Teacher Prep Courses—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—A Republican-led education bill prohibits teacher prep courses from including a curriculum on "identity politics" or that "systemic racism, sexism, or...

Passidomo May Block Bill Preserving Confederate Monuments From Senate Floor—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Legislature has condemned the "abhorrent" public comments on a bill banning the removal of Confederate monuments, causing Senate President...

Lauren Book Releases Statement After Oral Arguments Heard Regarding Abortion Amendment—By the Floridian's Jackson Bakich—State Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-FL) blasted Republicans for not wanting to put abortion on the ballot in the Sunshine State...

Florida Bill Expanding Wrongful Death Act to Unborn Children Sparks Abortion Debate—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—A new Republican-led bill would expand Florida's Wrongful Death Act to include unborn children. Passing down party lines...

Sweeping Defamation Bill Makes it Easier to Sue Journalists—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—A far-reaching defamation bill united conservatives and liberals in strong opposition, despite a strike-all amendment softening its components. Though...

Florida Bill Protecting Mothers of Unborn Children Gains Traction in Senate—By the Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—A bill codifying civil liability protections for mothers of unborn children is steadily progressing through the Florida...

Rep. Leek Discusses FDA's Approval of His Cost-Lowering Prescription Bill—By the Floridian's Jackson Bakich—State Representative Tom Leek (R-Ormand Beach) spoke with The Floridian regarding his bill that has finally gone into effect...

Florida Legislature Emphasizes Florida-Taiwan Relations—By the Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—A resolution filed by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-40) seeks to celebrate the economic and cultural ties between the State of Florida and...

Domestic Violence Victims May Have Further Protections Under New Florida Bill—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida is one step closer to adopting the Hope Card Program, designed to protect further and assist victims of domestic violence. Hope Cards provide easy-access information...

'We Have to Step in': Social Media Bill Continues to Exclude Parental Rights—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Senate is sticking to its guns in a social media ban for minors. In a rare departure from the Governor, the Republican-led measure...

Private: Florida Lawmakers React to Bukele's Landslide Victory in El Salvador—By the Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Lawmakers in Florida and across the country are reacting to President Nayib Bukele’s landslide presidential re-election victory...

Florida Legislature Moves to Regulate State's Use of Digital Currency—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—A sweeping new bill would prohibit banks from dealing in digital currency without completing a comprehensive risk assessment to be approved by the...

Florida Takes Steps to Regulate Anti-Opioid Herbal Treatment Kratom—By the Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Legislature aims to increase safety regulations surrounding Kratom distribution, an increasingly popular herbal substance used throughout the state...