Thread by @Tildys

So #Florida, what did DeSantis & our GOP legislators do for Floridians in their last session?
Fix our broken unemployment system? Expand affordable healthcare? Solve environmental issues affecting our state & our future economy?

No.
Here's what DeSantis & GOP did instead 👇🧵👇

SB 90 ELCTiONS: DeSantis signed an Omnibus Voter Suppression Bill that will make it harder for All Floridians to vote.

Alleging discrimination against Black & Latino voters, a coalition of groups has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the new law.
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👉brennancenter.org/our-work/analy…

SB90 ELECTIONS (cont.): Drop Boxes

This law puts an end to 24/7 ballot drop boxes. Ballot Drop Boxes must now be monitored in-person by an elections official & only accept ballots during early voting hours.

Opponents have Filed a Federal Lawsuit

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SB 90 ELECTIONS (cont.): Vote by Mail

All voters must now resubmit vote-by-mail requests each election cycle, every calendar year.

Opponents have Filed a Federal Lawsuit

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SB 90 ELECTIONS (cont.): Dropping Off Ballots

It is now a crime for voters to ask a trusted friend/caregiver to pick up/drop off vote-by-mail ballots, limiting voting access for elderly, working & mobility-impaired Floridians who can't retrieve/turn in ballots themselves.

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SB 90 ELECTIONS (cont.) Food & Water

The law now limits who can hand out items, including food or water to voters. Items can't be given to voters w/in 150 feet of a ballot box. Only staff working w/ elections can "provide nonpartisan assistance" to voters w/in that area.

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SB 1028 TRANGENDER ATHLETES:

After a fierce debate, lawmakers approved a wide-ranging education measure that includes a ban on transgender females participating on girls’ and women’s high-school and college sports teams.

Opponents have Filed a Federal Lawsuit

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SB 1890 BALLOT INITIATIVES:

FL GOP approved a measure that includes a $3,000 limit on contributions to political committees making it difficult to get proposed Constitutional Amendments on the ballot.
(Think $15/hour minimum wage.)

Opponents have Filed a Federal Lawsuit

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HB 5 CIVICS EDUCATION:

FL GOP passed this law requiring FL State DOE approve all High School Civics Courses to include “A discussion of ideologies that conflict w/ the principles of freedom & democracy” & require a curriculum to develop an “Upright Citizens” course.

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HB 233 INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM:

The GOP-controlled Legislature passed a measure that will require conducting surveys to assess the “intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity” of Educators at State Colleges & Universities. Can you say Authoritarianism?

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SB 1884 GUN REGULATIONS:

GOP Legislature passed a bill that broadens a controversial 2011 law, which created tough penalties against local governments that impose gun regulations. Law now allows lawsuits against “unwritten” local gun restrictions. Just what we need in FL

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SB 2006 COVID-19:

In a DeSantis priority, GOP lawmakers passed a law to prevent private businesses, schools & gov. agencies from requiring people to show documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccinations before gaining entrance. The Governor can now override local orders.

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SB 7072 SOCIAL MEDIA:

Gov. Ron DeSantis & Republican lawmakers passed a law that seeks to bar Private social-media companies from removing political candidates from the companies’ platforms.

Opponents have Filed a Federal Lawsuit

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Sources:

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npr.org/2021/04/26/990…

apnews.com/article/florid…

wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issue…