Photo: Getty Images
BUD'S BLOG, MONDAY, MAY 1st, 2023
While you were enjoying a well deserved relaxing weekend, I was keeping an eye on the Florida legislature as it heads into the final week of this year's session in Tallahassee.
I'll give you my take on the following important bill which have either just passed or seem certain to pass and be signed into law by Governor DeSantis:
Election law- contains important new protections aimed it further ensuring election integrity in Florida.
State lawmakers have now made a change that clears the way for Ron DeSantis to run for President without first being required to resign as Governor.
Illegal immigration- a new law will expand the use of E-verify to make it harder for illegal aliens to find work in Florida.
Diversity- I'll tell you about new legislation that prohibits state funded colleges and university from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion agendas which Governor DeSantis calls discriminatory.
Amendments- Under a bill just passed by the Florida House and headed for the Senate, proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution would require approval by 2/3rd of the voters (67%), instead of the current 60% threshold. I have mixed emotions about this and I'll tell you why.
Convicted sex offenders will now be required to have distinctive green florescent markings on their car license plates. I'm fine with the public keeping close watch on sex offenders but I wonder whether these license plates will put a target on their backs and set them up for being shot and killed. What do you think? Let's talk about it!
Do you realize that if one or more of the conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court were to be assassinated, the Constitution mandates that their replacements be nominated by the President, Democrat Joe Biden, and confirmed by the Democrat controlled Senate?! That would change the ideological configuration of the Supreme Court in a heart beat, quite literally! It's true, and it's an all too real possibility given that a man has already been arrested and charged with attempting to kill Justice Kavanaugh, and his fellow conservative justices Thomas and Alito have recently been the focus of death threats. I'll make the case that a constitutional Amendment is needed to deal with the assassination of a Supreme Court justice in such a way that the ideological makeup of the high court is not changed should this happen. This would remove the incentive for fanatics on either end of the political spectrum to kill a justice in order to impact how the Supreme Court rules on important issues facing America.
We'll delve into the DeSantis file for a couple of interesting developments:
If you're a regular listener to Good Morning Orlando you know I've been predicting Governor DeSantis will soon suspend Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Monique Worrell for being soft on crime and failing to prosecute cases involving violent crimes and repeat offenders. I'll tell you about some new evidence that DeSantis is about to take action against Worrell !
Looking ahead to Governor DeSantis entering the 2024 presidential race, and in response to new polling that shows him trailing in several early primary states, a pro-DeSantis Super PAC has come out with a new TV ad I think is very appealing. I'll let you hear it, and then I want you to tell me what you think of the ad and whether it will help strength DeSantis in these important early voting states.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHM0aj_fLMo
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/608058-nbd-winner/
I watched the proceedings at Saturday night's White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington. I thought President Biden did a fairly good job delivering the jokes written for him, and we'll play some of them for you to see what you think. Biden even told a joke or two about Governor DeSantis, even though he's not even in the presidential race yet. I thought that was a good indicator of how worried the President and his team are about a DeSantis candidacy. We'll also hear some of the jokes told by the emcee, comedian Roy Wood Jr. from the liberal "Daily Show". Surprisingly, as you'll hear, Wood took a few shots at Biden!
It's Open Mind Monday....your chance to weigh in on topic of your choice, knowing we'll listen to you and keep an open mind! Call us at 407 916 5400, text to 23680 or record your comments using the Talkback feature as you listen to WFLA Orlando on the iHeartradio app !