The influence of DeSantis may be put to the test in the last years of his term by Florida’s new state lawmakers

Florida – Given his unsuccessful attempt to run against President-elect Donald Trump for the Republican nomination and his thoughts on his political future outside of the governor’s house, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis may find his power in the state put to the test during the upcoming legislative session in Florida.

Tuesday marked the ceremonial beginning of the last two years of DeSantis’ second term leading unified GOP power in Florida as the state’s new legislative leaders formally took their oaths of office.

DeSantis, however, is not your average lame duck governor, according to some legislative watchers.

From limiting abortion to extending school vouchers and protecting gun rights, the nation’s third most populous state has solidified its standing as a national testing ground for conservatism under DeSantis’ leadership.

He has established a reputation for straining the limits of presidential power and has demonstrated his willingness to use the veto pen and bully pulpit. Last month, the governor achieved a significant political win by launching a multifaceted campaign against two ballot initiatives supported by the public that would have legalized marijuana for recreational use in the state and preserved abortion rights.

The DeSantis administration used millions of dollars in public funds and several state agencies to oppose the proposed constitutional amendments, which his opponents claim is against state law. Despite receiving strong majorities from Florida voters, the amendments fell short of the 60% threshold set by state law.

Ben Albritton, the incoming president of the Florida Senate, praised DeSantis’ campaign against the proposed amendments and defended the use of state funds to create advertisements opposing the ballot proposals in his inaugural remarks to state lawmakers Tuesday in Tallahassee.

Albritton praised DeSantis for his “principled, focused, and dedicated leadership” in sabotaging the measures, saying, “Leading the charge to defeat those two amendments was incredible.”

It seems that DeSantis was able to push the boundaries of utilizing public resources in campaign messaging, according to Ben Wilcox, research director of the government monitoring organization Integrity Florida.

“I think we’ll see more of this in the future unless somebody can control the governor,” Wilcox stated.

Florida House Speaker Danny Perez, who was just sworn in, stated that all government spending, including the governor’s use of public funds for political messaging, should be closely examined.
According to Perez, “any taxpayer funds that have ever left the Legislature for any purpose will be scrutinized.”

In previous years, DeSantis’ agenda has been swiftly advanced by state lawmakers, who also helped create a platform for his presidential campaign. However, discussions of addressing diversity programs and LGBTQ+ issues—a drive that DeSantis has made his national calling card—were conspicuously absent from Tuesday’s speeches.

Albritton and Perez also questioned DeSantis’ request that lawmakers convene a special session to handle the skyrocketing maintenance costs for condominium owners, which are a consequence of new rules that lawmakers passed following the 2021 collapse of a Surfside building that killed 98 people.

DeSantis has called on state legislators to take action before condo inspections are due at the end of the year. Although MPs “agree that we need to look very closely at this,” Albritton told reporters Tuesday that the matter should be taken up during the regular legislative session, which starts on March 4.

As he puts out a vision for what he calls a “rural Renaissance” in the state, where expanding development continues to chop up natural resources and encroach on the small town way of life, citrus producer Albritton has stated that his Christian religion will help guide his conservative leadership.

Perez has stated that he will concentrate on examining government expenditures and resolving the state’s affordability crisis. Perez represents a suburban portion of Miami-Dade County, which is the state’s largest metro area.

Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell urged her Republican colleagues, who control a supermajority in both chambers, to respect the wishes of the majority of Florida voters who voted in favor of the abortion rights measure and to assist in addressing the needs of the state’s poor citizens.

The initiative would have safeguarded the right to an abortion up until the time of viability, which is thought to be somewhere after 21 weeks of pregnancy if it had passed the 60% requirement. Most abortions are prohibited by the state’s current statute after six weeks, which is before many women are aware that they are pregnant.

“I hope we can review the limitations that are currently imposed on women and their agency over their own bodies,” Driscoll stated.

However, Democrats are powerless to block the ruling party from enacting its most recent vision for the state because Republicans continue to enjoy a sway over the Legislature.