JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers officially kick off their 60-day 2023 legislative session Tuesday and a slew of conservative policies are expected to clear the finish line this year.
Governor Ron DeSantis has teased a ‘historic’ session in recent months and Florida Republican lawmakers are well positioned to deliver on the promise, with supermajorities in both chambers for the first time since 2011.
From LGBTQ+ issues like banning transgender medical care for minors, and expanding the so-call ‘don’t say gay’ law to guns with permitless carry legislation, Florida Republicans aren’t expected to hold back this session.
There’s also a proposed ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public colleges and universities, legislation requiring political bloggers to register with the state, a bill making it easier to sue news organizations, universal private school vouchers and a slew of initiatives aimed at curbing illegal immigration.
“With all of this culture war nonsense we’re wasting everybody’s time and Floridians are still crying out for help with real problems, like the affordability crisis,” said House Minority Lead Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) in a virtual press conference Monday morning.
Driskell expects Republicans to not show any restraint.
“Stoking the flames and trying to enflame Ron DeSantis’ base and get them energized and ginned up in advance of the 2024 primary,” said Driskell.
In an interview last week, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) pushed back on the idea lawmakers are simply advancing the Governor’s personal agenda.
“Before the Governor started talking about his priorities, the Speaker gave me him and I gave him mine. I got to tell you, they’re all, there’s a lot of similarities,” said Passidomo.
Facing Republican Supermajorities in both chambers, Democrats have virtually no ability to push back against the conservative agenda.
State Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Delray Beach) for many of the proposals likely to pass this year there is some hope for intervention from the courts and the court of public opinion.
“Certainly, the constituents and the voters will have a lot to weigh in on, but if Governor DeSantis wants this legislation the Republican leadership is going to be hard-pressed to vote against it,” said Skidmore.
The Senate gavels in at 9:30 Tuesday morning and the House at 10:00 a.m.
The Governor will deliver his state of the state to a joint session of both chambers at 11:00 a.m.
Action News Jax be there at the State Capitol bringing you all the latest Tuesday morning.
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