Latest news with #DeSantis
Black America Web
an hour ago
- Politics
- Black America Web
Florida Supreme Court Backs DeSantis In Diluting Black Voter Power
Source: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Getty Long before Texas officials scrambled for a special session to attack Black voter power in the Lone Star state, Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis was already stacking the deck in his party's favor. Now, four years after redistricting began, the Florida Supreme Court upheld maps backed by DeSantis diluting Black voter power. Embracing a reverse racism style argument, the Florida Supreme Court claimed that allowing a majority Black district to remain would violate the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. Led by Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute and the League of Women Voters of Florida, voting rights groups maintain the maps violated the 2010 Fair Districts Amendment. They further argue that the maps diluted Black voter power and were an assault on Black representation. According to Democracy Docket, the maps commissioned by DeSantis split Black voters formerly in the state's 5th Congressional district 'across four separate districts, reducing their ability to choose a candidate that best represents them in North Florida.' DeSantis pointing to multiple courts upholding his allegedly 'constitutionally correct map' does not mean the maps are accurate or fair. It only means that the courts have swung far enough to the right that the interpretation of accuracy and fairness is willing to overlook the true meaning of equal protection and fair representation. The Democracy Docket specifically called attention to the 'non-diminishment' clause in Florida's Fair Districts Amendment, which prohibits the state from creating districts that prevent racial or language minorities from having 'equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice.' It's all states' rights, and states can decide until a state law actually benefits Black people. As reported by the Tallahassee Democrat, there is still a challenge pending regarding Congressional District 26. This case is also separate from a challenge to Florida Senate District 16 involving Black voters in Tampa and St. Petersburg. But the 5th Congressional District case underscores the importance of federal oversight and protection to ensure that states do not disenfranchise or disempower Black voters. As outlined by the Legal Defense Fund, Florida has passed several anti-voter laws and targeted fairness and transparency in the democratic process. DeSantis and his cronies have no interest in upholding equal protection or ensuring free and fair elections. Retaining power by any and all means is the name of their game. Source: ninitta / Getty 'Conditions that can foster voting discrimination — such as unfairly drawn districts that weaken the voting power of Black voters and other voters of color, inaccessible polling locations, insufficient language assistance for voters who don't speak English comfortably, and outright voter intimidation — endure throughout Florida,' wrote the LDF. 'And many of Florida's counties and cities use at-large election structures or district maps that impair the ability of voters of color to elect candidates of their choice or influence the outcome of elections.' Despite claims that the DeSantis maps are racially neutral and did not intentionally discriminate against Black voters, modern era segregationists know they need to make it look accidental to pass judicial scrutiny. Trying to prove racist intent is no longer as simple as it was 60 years ago. The battle over maps in Florida is one of many ongoing challenges to Black voter power. But limiting Black political power and, in turn, full political participation is not new. Even before the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments, the powers that be fought hard to minimize Black voting rights. And now, their descendants are colonizing the same laws passed to protect Black voters against us. Despite the extensive legislative history and record around the Reconstruction Era Amendments and numerous civil rights laws, including the Voting Rights Act, these people follow the far-right SCOTUS majority's intellectual dishonesty. There is nothing fair in what DeSantis and his cronies are doing. And yet, Black voters and the candidates who seek to represent their interests are left scrambling to out organize an increasingly hostile state and federal government. These contemporary voting rights challenges also show the enduring importance and need for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder eroded key sections of the Voting Rights Act, voting rights advocates have pushed for legislation to restore and strengthen voting rights protections. Choosing our representatives and free access to the ballot are two of the most significant pathways to improving conditions for our families and communities. Protecting and expanding voting rights requires sustained organizing and lobbying leading to new safeguards at the state level like state voting acts and other pro-democracy legislation. SEE ALSO: Federal Judges Rule Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' 'Race-Neutral' Congressional Map Is Constitutional Redistricting: Majority Black Voting Maps Rejected In Louisiana SEE ALSO Florida Supreme Court Backs DeSantis In Diluting Black Voter Power was originally published on
USA Today
a day ago
- Politics
- USA Today
FL redistricting gamble? DeSantis weighs pushing GOP-friendly map
There's nothing preventing Floridas's governor from calling a special session in the state legislature to redraw the maps. With one redistricting win in the bag, could Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis go for more? Republicans hold a narrow edge in the U.S. House and President Donald Trump is calling for GOP-led states to redraw maps to help the party ahead of the 2026 elections. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has already called his state's legislature in to do so – and Democrats are wary that DeSantis will do the same. More: Texas GOP eyes redistricting, Dems poised to hit back. What to know. DeSantis notched a victory July 17 when the Florida Supreme Court upheld congressional district lines largely drawn by him, cementing GOP-friendly maps. Even with another legal battle pending, there's nothing in state or federal law preventing DeSantis from calling a special session to redraw the maps seven years before the next required redistricting session under the U.S. Constitution. More: Florida Supreme Court upholds DeSantis-backed congressional district maps Such a move, however, carries its own perils. Republicans already have a 20-8 advantage over Democrats in Florida's congressional delegation. Even with the GOP's surging lead in active registered voters, it could be difficult to draw another Republican district, which would likely require splitting a heavily Democratic district into other GOP districts. Drawing new maps to favor your party but ultimately helping the opposing party is called a 'dummymander.' 'There's also a real question of how much they could realistically do. They do risk a dummymander,' said Matthew Isbell of MCI Maps, a Democratic consultant and redistricting expert. 'If you try to divide things up too much in Orlando and Tampa, then you risk making other districts vulnerable, and there probably is a limit to what the (Florida Supreme Court) would allow.' DeSantis, though, hasn't been shy about pushing the legislature to redo Florida's congressional districts. A history of drawing new lines In 2022, the state's GOP-led legislature's first attempt to draw new lines was vetoed by DeSantis, who rejected the original District 5, a minority access district then held by U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat from Tallahassee. The district stretched from Jacksonville west to Tallahassee, encompassing communities of African-American voters along the way. DeSantis wanted a more compact district based in Jacksonville and claimed the original District 5 was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. When DeSantis called lawmakers in for a special session to redraw the maps, they passed his preferred lines. A group of voting rights organizations sued over the decision to remove the old district, arguing it violated the state constitution's prohibition on removing minority access districts. But the Florida Supreme Court rejected the claim and upheld the maps. Florida was awarded an extra congressional district after the 2020 Census to account for its population increase. Following the passage of the new maps, after the 2022 election, the GOP advantage in Florida's congressional delegation grew from 15-11 to 20-8 over Democrats. 'We helped elect four additional Republicans to the U.S. Congress, and we probably wouldn't have the majority if that hadn't happened,' DeSantis told a crowd in Greenville, South Carolina, on June 2, 2023, when he was running for President. Republicans currently hold a 220-212 advantage over Democrats in the U.S. House. Three House Democrats have died since March. If Democrats hold those seats in special elections, they would need to net three districts in the November 2026 elections to take control of the chamber. Trump told reporters on July 15 that he wanted the new Texas maps to produce five new GOP districts and that he wanted four other states to redraw their maps, too, but didn't specify which states. A spokesman for DeSantis didn't respond to an email seeking comment on whether he'd call a special session for redistricting. But the governor recently said he'd like a new census that excludes non-citizens. DeSantis claimed Florida, despite having a large number of non-citizen residents, missed out on getting an extra district last time because non-citizens were counted. 'My legislature will redistrict those lines, we'll get it to where it's fair,' DeSantis said July 1. That would depend on an unprecedented redo of the U.S. Census, though. Strained relationship between DeSantis, House could hinder redistricting push Whether the state legislature would go along with any DeSantis push for redistricting is another question. DeSantis' once-mighty sway with the GOP-led legislature has given way after his loss in the presidential primary to a testy relationship with Republican legislative leaders, especially House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami. Perez initially resisted DeSantis' call for a crackdown on unauthorized immigrants earlier this year, offering his alternative before reaching a compromise, and his move to enact a sales tax cut was slammed by DeSantis as crowding out his push for property tax cuts. Perez is unlikely to acquiesce to DeSantis on redistricting – unless Trump directly calls for it. 'It's really about the legislature, and it's really probably then about Trump,' Isbell said. 'If Trump calls on the lawmakers to do it, then I think there's a risk. But if DeSantis says it, the legislature's going to tell him (no).' In the meantime, Democrats are taking notice of the GOP redrawing push. 'Well, two can play that game,' Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X in response to the news that Trump wants five new GOP districts out of the Texas redistricting session. But California has an independent redistricting commission, and it's unclear how Newsom would maneuver his state legislature to produce more Democratic maps. Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried is also alarmed. 'We are next. Instead of (focusing) on the affordability crisis that Trump is making worse, DeSantis and Florida Republicans will continue to bend a knee,' Fried posted, also on X. No, just the seats we can steal…wtf.'A couple of other states' aka Florida. We are next. Instead of focuses on the affordability crisis that Trump is making worse, Desantis and Florida Republicans will continue to bend a knee. Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@ Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
This state may offer a cautionary tale
Homeownership has long been a hallmark of the American dream. And property taxes are part of being a homeowner. Recently, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has floated the idea of eliminating property taxes. For Floridians who are homeowners, the end of property taxes seems like a dream come true. But the question is: At what cost? That's the question Wyoming is grappling with. Earlier this year, Wyoming lawmakers passed a 25% cut to property taxes. The tax exemption applies to 'primary residential structures up to the first $100 million of the structure's fair market value.' At first glance, it looks like a win for homeowners, but municipalities are bracing for impact, according to the Tribune News Service. Like Florida, Wyoming doesn't impose a state income tax, making property tax revenue a key funding source for cities and municipalities — including fire and police departments, schools and other services. Fremont County, the fifth most populous in the state, has announced $300,000 in library cuts and warned that other services may see deeper cuts. Most troubling is the possibility of cuts for public schools, which receive 70% of their funding from property taxes and now face a serious deficit. According to the state's April 2025 long-term revenue expenditure forecast, Wyoming's school foundation program account — which is responsible for funding public schools — is projected to experience a $686 million deficit by 2029-30. While Wyoming has a population of 587,618, and is far different demographically from Florida — with a population of 23 million spread over 67 counties — the struggles Wyoming residents are facing may offer a preview of challenges Florida could expect if DeSantis' proposal becomes reality. Florida's unique challenges — including rapid population growth, the housing and insurance crisis and hurricane risks — create strong fiscal demands that exceed what Wyoming faces. These realities make property tax elimination, or even a deep cut, more problematic for the Sunshine State. The Florida Legislature recognised the need to think things through before barreling ahead to help DeSantis eliminate property taxes. The Legislature allocated $1 million in its proposed state budget for state economists to study the elimination of property taxes, a responsible position. The study would've given Florida's leaders a clearer picture of the implications of such a significant change. But DeSantis vetoed the budget item, dismissing it by saying, 'We don't need to give a bureaucracy money to study this. We know what needs to be done, so let's just do it.' That was a short-sighted move. Cutting or eliminating the state's property tax requires a plan and consideration of the impacts, and maybe even examining what's happening right now in Wyoming. As Budge Huskey, president and CEO of Premier Sotheby's International Realty, told Fox News Digital, 'At the end of the day, you cannot simply lower property taxes or eliminate property taxes without replacing at least a significant majority of that revenue through alternative means.' According to the Florida Policy Institute, property taxes make up an estimated 50% to 60% of the state's school district revenue. In order to replace revenue lost, Florida would most likely need to double its state sales tax to 12%, FPI found, resulting in the tax burden being shifted rather than eliminated. While DeSantis and fellow Republicans love to tout Florida as the 'free state,' removing property taxes from the state's financial equation would put local government into a funding free-fall. Giving Floridians financial relief is critical as the cost of living continues to rise, and Wyoming's efforts may offer some lessons. But slashing property taxes without a serious plan to manage the impacts isn't the way forward.
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
White House flips script on Hunter Biden's explosive rant against Trump and more top headlines
Print Close Published July 22, 2025 Good morning and welcome to Fox News' morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here's what you need to know to start your day ... TOP 3 1. White House flips script on Hunter Biden's explosive rant against Trump 2. Iran will not give up nuclear enrichment, top official confirms in exclusive FOX News interview 3. Harris celebrates one-year anniversary of her failed campaign in wildly mocked post MAJOR HEADLINES LAW AND DISORDER – Recall effort against blue city DA takes off after alleged sex offender's case dismissed. Continue reading … MISSED SIGNS – Friend recalls last text from dentist's wife as murder trial enters second week. Continue reading … DEADLY ACCIDENT – Family reveals shocking details of what really happened in MRI incident. Continue reading … 'YOU WILL BE MISSED' – 'Cosby Show' actor dead at 54 as Hollywood shares emotional farewells. Continue reading … MOVING FORWARD – Astronomer interim CEO finds silver lining after viral Kiss Cam scandal. Continue reading … -- POLITICS POWER SHIFT – Mark Green resigns from Congress, further shrinking House GOP majority. Continue reading … HISTORIC TURN – NATO enters brave new era under pressure from US, Russia. Continue reading … SUNSHINE STATE SWIPE – DeSantis has five-word response to Cuomo over relocation joke. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA 'CLICK'-DRIVEN – Sen. Fetterman's wife blasts journalists for invading family privacy after husband's hospitalization. Continue reading … LOOKING AWAY – Legacy media outlets largely silent on Tulsi Gabbard's bombshell Obama administration claims. Continue reading … OVER THE OUTRAGE – Billy Joel tells Bill Maher he's done caring what woke critics think. Continue reading … 'CERTAINLY WORKING' – ABC reporter disputes LA mayor saying Trump's border policy is harmful. Continue reading … OPINION LIZ PEEK – Trump could secure his place in American history with this bold immigration reform strategy. Continue reading … DANIEL HANDEL – I worked for USAID for 11 years – this is how you build a foreign aid system that actually works. Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS DEADLY HARVEST – Federal probe finds doctors attempted organ removal while donors still alive. Continue reading … JUICY BARTER – Tropical fruit now accepted as payment by restaurants in major city. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on fruit frontiers and star-spangled symbols. Take the quiz here … ANCIENT ANTICS – Rare 1,300-year-old medieval doodles reveal humor and daily life. Continue reading … MEAT EATER – Woman credits diet decision for latest successes. See video … WATCH STEPHEN MILLER – Democrats' policies shield these monsters from deportation. See video … TOM HOMAN – The Left doesn't want to admit the truth. See video … LISTEN Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for today's in-depth reporting on the news that impacts you. Check it out ... FOX WEATHER What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading… FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox News Sports Huddle DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Fox News Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday. Print Close URL
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ron DeSantis angered as Fox News host recalls Trump's insults
'You guys went at it pretty hard in the primaries, just like he did with Ted Cruz, just like he did with Marco Rubio,' Kilmeade told DeSantis. 'And then obviously things are going great-' A visibly annoyed DeSantis - appearing remotely - immediately interrupted, just seconds into the interview. 'I don't think that's true, I think that's just you guys... I think we get along great,' the Republican argued. 'We are working very constructively,' he continued. 'No state has done more to support their agenda on illegal immigration than we have.' The rest of his spiel appeared to completely ignore the crux of Kilmeade's question, sounding more like the contents of a brochure for the Sunshine State than a measured response. Kilmeade, however, stayed quiet. 'No state is working more constructively on environmental restoration,' DeSantis said. 'I just did a huge announcement this week on working with the Everglades,' he continued. 'And we've also returned almost a billion dollars to them as part of their DOGE effort. So, I think it's been really, really good, and the state of Florida - we're the envy of the nation. People want to come here, people want their states to follow our lead, and we'll continue to lead with purpose and conviction,' he concluded. The argument appeared to convince - or at least scare - Kilmeade, who quickly persisted with the rest of the interview. Not mentioned during the duration were the assortment of crass nicknames DeSantis was christened with by his then rival as the Republicans relentlessly duked it out. 'Ron DeSanctimonious,' 'Ron Dishonest,' and 'Shutdown Ron' are among some of the few, with Trump even taking the time to specify his preferred nomenclature for DeSatntis in a Truth Social post penned in February 2023, after re ports claimed he used a specific one to badmouth DeSantis privately. 'I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious "Meatball" Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will,' he wrote at the time, amid calls of racism since DeSantis, 46, is Italian. 'It would be totally inappropriate to use the word "meatball" as a moniker for Ron!' Trump assured. Despite never sharing a debate stage, the two continued to take shots at each other until the GOP primary, after which DeSantis forfeited his White House bid following a poor showing in the all-important Iowa caucus. At the time, there was also talk of the Florida Republican facing off with his California counterpart Gavin Newsom - an idea that, like DeSantis receiving the Republican nomination, never came to fruition. Other victims to Trump's name-calling - as Kilmeade, 61, indicated - are now allied with Trump our are part of his administration. Now in the midst of his second term as Florida's governor, DeSantis is not eligible for reelection as an incumbent in November of next year. Candidates - aside from Independent Jason Pizzo - have yet to be chosen.
