We’ve been protecting the Florida state legislature from this angle for a while now, because the diploma to which Florida Republicans are beholden to DeSantis’ political goals turned more and more clear. Every one in all payments launched within the state legislature attacking “wokeness,” variety initiatives in faculties, voting rights and the LGBT group previously yr have appeared hand-made to seize the eye of the furthest-right members of the MAGA base on a nationwide degree as DeSantis weighs a 2024 bid.
As DeSantis gears as much as lastly announce he’s operating on the finish of his state’s legislative session this month, his Republican associates within the state home gave him one remaining deal with: the legislature handed a number of sweeping new restrictions on voting rights, and a change to election legislation that permits DeSantis to run for president and stay governor.
The way in which state legislation presently stands, DeSantis must submit a letter of resignation to be able to run for a brand new workplace if the phrases of the brand new workplace and his governorship have been to intersect, as they might if he have been elected president. The state legislation has been modified earlier than, together with for former Gov. Charlie Crist.
State Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon summed up her Republican colleagues’ ambitions properly final week:
“Many on this physique are doing the governor’s bidding,” she mentioned. “If somebody desires to run for president, allow them to. However don’t let the governor maintain our state or maintain Floridians hostage due to blind and drunk political ambition.”
On high of fixing the “resign to run” provision of state legislation, Republicans additionally shoved by a number of new restrictions that may make it tougher for minority voters to register to vote. The invoice additionally provides a disclaimer to voter registration ID playing cards that’s certain to discourage folks from truly voting — it lets recipients know that having the cardboard doesn’t essentially imply they’re eligible to vote legally.
This all fuels a broader problem in Florida: DeSantis created a brand new process pressure final yr that’s, at its core, a political stunt designed to make widespread voter fraud look like an issue within the state. In actuality, the election crimes pressure arrested 20 folks for voter fraud with previous felony convictions who didn’t know they weren’t allowed to vote legally.
The Finest Of TPM At present
Right here’s what it is best to learn this night:
Yellen Warns McCarthy That Treasury Might Run Out Of Cash To Pay Nation’s Money owed ‘Early As June 1’
Montana Rep Zooey Zephyr Sues To Do Her Job
Abbott Slammed For Highlighting Immigration Standing Of Mass Capturing Victims
Supreme Courtroom Takes Up Case That Existentially Threatens Company Energy
Schumer Utilizing Home’s Absence To Launch Week Of Anti-GOP Debt Ceiling Invoice Messaging
Home GOP Whip Says He Has The Excellent Resolution: Dems Ought to Give McCarthy Every thing He Desires
What Precisely Is Going On In The E. Jean Carroll Trial?
Yesterday’s Most Learn Story
College Of Nebraska Tweaks Its Brand As ‘OK’ Signal Turned Gesture For White Supremacists — TPM Cafe
What We Are Studying
College superintendent who criticized DeSantis may lose job — Orlando Sentinel
“Get Him Out of Right here”: Donald Trump Tossed NBC Reporter’s Telephones Throughout Tirade Aboard Marketing campaign Aircraft — Vainness Honest
U.S. army is monitoring one other mysterious balloon — NBC Information