Tallahassee–Florida Majority Leader Senator Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne) today released the following statement in support of executive action announced by Governor DeSantis (R-FL) earlier today to give parents choice over masks in schools.
Joined by concerned parents and teachers, Governor DeSantis announced plans to issue an executive order directing the Department of Education and the Department of Health to issue emergency rules with the goal of affirming the right of parents to decide whether or not their children will wear face masks when the new school year begins next month.
“I fully support the Governor’s plan to take executive action that will ensure parents have the final decision about whether or not their children wear masks in school." Said Sen. Mayfield "My colleagues and I have heard from constituents across the state who are concerned about the possibility that their children would be required to wear masks when they return to school next month."
Mayfield then reaffirmed the governor's rhetoric on the importance of parental control over schooling practices, in particular masks "Parents have not only the right, but the responsibility to be involved in these decisions. The Governor did the right thing by getting out in front of this issue before the start of the school year." Claiming "He is alleviating any confusion and making it clear that parents will have the final say.”
The Senate Majority Leader is a stark contrast to progressive Senator Shevrin Jones (D-35) who has recently called for a state-wide mask mandate. However, with Governor DeSantis having already killed every local ordinance in Florida, it looks like the Sunshine State will be the last place you could see a mandate of state-wide proportions.
