Monday, February 6, 2023

DeSantis' Authoritarian Push Continues

 

Florida's Republican-controlled legislature is taking up two MAGA pleasing priorities of their ambitious, Trumpian Governor Ron "DeSanctimonius" DeSantis: taking over Walt Disney World's self-governing district, and expanding their migrant "relocation" program. They've convened a special session at the behest of DeSantis to elevate his culture war on Disney's pro-LGBTQ+ position, and to please the white supremacist / anti-immigrant base of his support. From the Associated Press report:

"The meeting is the latest development in a high-profile feud between DeSantis and Disney over the company’s criticism of a law dubbed by critics as 'Don’t Say Gay,' which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and lessons deemed not age appropriate.

The governor, in going after Disney, displayed a willingness to penalize one of the state’s biggest employers and political donors, reinforcing the combative leadership style that has propelled him to national political stardom and appeals to conservative primary voters.

Lawmakers are expected to create a program to transport immigrants who are in the country illegally to another state if they’ve already been processed by the federal government and if the migrants volunteer.

DeSantis had already used part of a $12 million fund, paid for by taxpayers, to fly about 50 South American migrants from Texas to the Massachusetts resort island of Martha’s Vineyard, bringing widespread condemnation." (our emphasis)

When he's not forcing schools to clear their library book shelves for fear of felony charges from his state police or bravely defending gas stoves, he's claiming credit for expanded rural broadband provided by President Biden's infrastructure legislation, something Republicans voted against overwhelmingly. Would you expect anything different from this up-and-coming far right demagogue?

BONUS: He can't leave the drag queens alone either. 

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