Florida Politics & News
Florida news featured in The Daily Signal with reporting, analysis, and commentary on conservative governance, education reform, and the Sunshine State’s leadership in policy innovation.
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- Opinion
7 Facts Biden Ignored About Social Security in His Speech to Florida Retirees
President Joe Biden claimed that Democrats will protect Social Security and that Republicans threaten its future in a speech Tuesday in Hallandale Beach, Florida. But the “reality” Biden portrayed is misleading and undermines Social Security’s future. Social Security’s future is not secure. The program is running out of time and money, and recent increases in…Rachel Greszler -
- Opinion
Fact Check: What Politico, FEMA Chief Got Wrong as Florida’s DeSantis Prepared for Hurricane Ian
Politico this week inaccurately reported remarks by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about Florida’s response to Hurricane Ian, but she also appeared to be inaccurate in saying that she hasn’t ever acted politically during a natural disaster. Criswell, who runs the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Biden administration, spoke Tuesday at a White House press…Roman Jankowski -
- News
DeSantis Touts Florida’s Successes, Paints Stark Contrast With Blue States
AVENTURA, Florida—Florida has become a “refuge of sanity in a world gone mad.” That was the assessment of Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., in remarks Saturday evening at the third National Conservatism Conference here in this city north of Miami. DeSantis’ speech focused on the core theme of how Florida has become a bastion of liberty—a…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Conservatives Sweep School Board Races Across Florida
School boards in five Florida counties flipped to conservative majorities Tuesday with help from the endorsements of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican. Miami-Dade County, Sarasota County, Duval County, Martin County, and Clay County held school board elections. The conservative school board candidates in the five counties won their races, resulting in a flip in the…Reagan Reese -
- Opinion
A Company Flees Illinois for Florida, Showing Red States’ Appeal
In late June, Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker traveled to New Hampshire to be the keynote speaker at New Hampshire’s Democratic Party state convention. Officially, he was there to “help other Democratic governors get elected” and to lobby for Chicago as the site of the party’s 2024 presidential convention. Unofficially, there was buzz that Pritzker…Karol Markowicz -
- News
New Florida Law to Prohibit Protests at Private Residences
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday aimed at protecting the privacy of the state’s residents by prohibiting protests and picketing outside private residences. The bill takes effect Oct. 1 and bans any protesting at personal dwellings with the intent to “harass or disturb” the resident. Violators will be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor and will be subject to a possible 60…Evalyn Homoelle -
- Opinion
Florida to Teach Students About Evils of Communism. Some on the Left Aren’t Happy About It.
Florida students will now learn about the evils of communist totalitarianism, thanks to the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis signed HB 395 into law on Monday, creating a “Victims of Communism Day” in which middle school students will receive at least 45 minutes of instruction every Nov. 7 on topics “such as Mao…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Florida Textbook Publishers Surrender to DeSantis, Scrub Woke Content
Textbook publishers are surrendering to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ demands that math instructional materials get in line with state standards, allowing more books to be added to the approved list, according to the Florida Department of Education. “Publishers are aligning their instructional materials to state standards and removing woke content allowing the department of education…Kendall Tietz -
- Opinion
Florida Follows the Science With New Guidelines on Transgender Treatment for Kids
Finally, someone actually cares about the children. The Florida Department of Health released new guidelines Wednesday about treating gender dysphoria in children. Unlike the recent guidance from the Biden administration, Florida’s guidance doesn’t promote aggressive medical interventions for minors who are struggling with gender dysphoria. Instead, the state’s guidance states: • Social gender transition should…Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
Florida Bill Is Pro-Freedom, Not Anti-LGBTQ
The distorted rhetoric—should I say lies?—labeling Florida’s legislation about parental rights in public schools as “Don’t say gay” demonstrates the hypocrisy of LGBTQ activism. I say hypocrisy because this movement has always showcased itself as being about freedom, rights, and social justice. But the reality is that LGBTQ activism is not at all about freedom…Star Parker -
- News
‘They Don’t Say a Word’: DeSantis Slams Disney’s Opposition to Florida Bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized Disney for its opposition to the state’s parental rights legislation in a video shared by Fox News on Thursday. “When you have companies that have made a fortune off being family-friendly and catering to families and young kids, they should understand that parents of young kids do not want this…Laurel Duggan -
- News
9 Things to Know About Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, Who Rejects COVID-19 Shots for Healthy Children
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is drawing national attention after announcing Monday that his state will officially recommend that health officials not give COVID-19 vaccinations to healthy children. White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded by criticizing Ladapo for going against Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, saying: “It’s…Maggie Hroncich -
- News
Florida Gov. DeSantis Says ‘No Substitute for Courage’ in Fight Against Woke Institutions
This will be the year that America “fought back” against wokeness and authoritarianism, in the words of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In a speech, which he delivered Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida, DeSantis explained how he has helped transform Florida into a bastion of freedom against growing authoritarianism. He also explained…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill Hits Target: Gender Ideology Harms Kids
Children are being targeted with sexual content—not just in social media, but also in school curriculums. As with other recent controversies, however, leaders in Florida are fighting back. Lawmakers in the Sunshine State have introduced a new bill, Parental Rights in Education. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, that may be because big media…Jay Richards -
- News
Florida Lawmaker Considers Bill Cutting Funds for School Districts Requiring Masks
A Florida lawmaker is considering legislation that would cut funding for school districts that implemented mask mandates despite a recent executive order, the Tampa Bay Times reported Monday. State Rep. Randy Fine, who chairs the PreK-12 Appropriations subcommittee, proposed a move that would punish the dozen districts that mandated masks, the Times reported. He said the…Kendall Tietz -
- News
5 Florida Teachers Removed for Refusing to Wear Masks
Five teachers were sent home from a Jupiter, Florida, elementary school for refusing to wear masks, The Palm Beach Post reported. Limestone Creek Elementary School told the teachers to leave Jan. 20 for violating the Palm Beach County School District’s policy requiring teachers, but not students, to wear COVID-19 masks, according to a district spokeswoman,…Laurel Duggan -
- Opinion
Florida’s Governor Makes Smart Proposal to Go After Election Crimes. So Corrupt Media Attacks Him.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a good idea with his budget proposal to create an “election crimes agency” that would “investigate election crimes and irregularities and make referrals for further legal action directly to a statewide prosecutor.” Florida should implement it, and other states should follow. In fact, state legislators should make sure that a…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
AOC’s Bizarre Defense of Florida Vacation Highlights Left’s Hypocrisy
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, states like Florida have received a lot of criticism from the political left for not requiring endless masking or imposing stringent lockdowns. Yet Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says, “If I had a dollar for every lockdown politician who decided to escape to Florida over the last two years, I’d be a…Virginia Allen -
- News
Biden Vaccine Mandate Would Add to Staffing Woes, Florida Restaurant Chain Owner Says
Sergio's Restaurants is a third-generation family-owned business that has been a popular Cuban food destination in South Florida. The company has grown to have six full-service restaurants, and has 13 more licensed outlets at sports venues, on university campuses, at airports, and in other locations, primarily in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas. But the…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
DeSantis Aims for Self-Reliance for Florida in Emergencies Instead of Dependence on Feds
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed reestablishing a Florida State Guard, or civilian voluntary force, to assist the National Guard in state-specific emergencies. The governor’s new military budget proposal includes $3.5 million for the State Guard to support emergency-response efforts in the event of hurricanes, other natural disasters, and other state emergencies. The dedicated funding…Lora Ries