Republicans in both chambers of the Florida Legislature introduced the Kamala Harris Truth in Slavery Teaching Act, bringing some controversy alongside it. State Senator Shevrin Jones (D-FL) provided a statement, calling the bill an “aimless, desperate trolling of Vice President Harris.”

The legislation, introduced by State Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-FL) and State Representative Kiyan Michael (R-FL) looks to require instruction on the history of African Americans to “include a comprehensive account of the sociopolitical circumstances surrounding slavery, including which political parties supported slavery by adopting pro-slavery tenets as part of their platform, etc.”

The Democratic Party supported slavery at that time.

State Sen. Jones declared that this bill is a display of “political games” in Tallahassee.

“Yet again, MAGA Republicans in Tallahassee are shamelessly playing political games as a means to distract from their lack of action and plans to address the challenges facing everyday Floridians,” said Jones. “It is disheartening, though unsurprising, to see them resort to aimless, desperate trolling of Vice President Harris –tactics familiar to women and people of color in public life– rather than focusing on the issues that are top of mind for the people they serve.”

He continued, accusing Republicans in Florida of hypocrisy as they allegedly want to keep politics out of while injecting “blatant partisanship into education.”

“These same elected officials claim they want to keep political ideology out of the classroom, but then inject blatant partisanship into education every chance they get. Our schools don’t need more politicians involved in decision-making or attacking educators who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities,” said Jones.

Finally, Jones insinuated that both State Sen. Ingoglia and State Rep. Michael account for the “dramatic party realignment” – perhaps alluding to the supposed “party switch” of the 1960s.\

“It would do both Senator Ingoglia and Representative Michael a world of good to research the party of Lincoln they claim to be part of AND the dramatic party realignment that has happened in this country in the last 150 years. They cannot have it both ways, claiming to be on the side of freedom and civil rights when they are walking a different walk and actively dismantling Floridians’ rights and freedoms,” concluded Jones.

Ingoglia and Michael’s bill was filed on Wednesday.

The post Shevrin Jones Accuses FL GOP of 'Trolling' Kamala Harris with Slavery Bill appeared first on The Floridian.

State Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-FL) has made a key endorsement of Levy County Commissioner Chad Johnson (R-FL) who is running to succeed Clemons in the upcoming election in House District 22.

Clemons has been term-limited this election cycle, reaching the maximum time allotted to a representative in the Florida House.  Clemons has been serving since his election in 2016 to the Florida House of Representatives. The representative kept his post through elections and is known for zealously backing economic development and education in Florida.

Chad Johnson, now endorsed by Clemons, is a sixth-generation Floridian, and born in Alachua County, Florida. Johnson has familial connections in both Gilchrist and Marion County, Florida. Before becoming the Levy County Commissioner, Johnson graduated from the University of Florida, and started his family of now four children.

"Chad Johnson's strong ties to the region and deep understanding of the various communities that make District 22 so unique make him the right candidate to carry on our hard work in the legislature," Clemons said of candidate Johnson. "Chad is a proven leader who will tirelessly fight for free markets, limited government, and private property rights for all Floridians. It is my pleasure to endorse him and to ask others in our district to support him in his effort."

"It is an honor to have Speaker Chuck Clemons ' endorsement," responded Johnson. "I look forward to following in his footsteps in the Florida House as a champion for common sense, freedom, and agriculture. Floridians in Gilchrist, Levy and Alachua counties can count on me to serve them with the same unwavering dedication and commitment shown by Speaker Clemons."

Johnson has since promised that he will back policies that, "keep Florida free and also fight to protect District 22's quality of life and natural resources."

The post Rep. Chuck Clemons Endorses Chad Johnson for Florida House appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis has overhauled the process of how parents and schools interact in the state since he first took office. Now more and more Floridians are running for elective office and towing the historic and somewhat controversial Parental Right in Education law that the Governor signed in 2022. Megan Weinberger, who runs an animal rescue sanctuary and is a Foster care mentor, and who is running for the now-open State House 94 District that term-limited Rep. Rick Roth (R) currently represents, appears to be running on the social, economic, and education platform that Gov. DeSantis has championed.

During an interview with The Floridian, Weinberger, who is the Palm Beach chapter chairwoman for Mom's for Liberty, expressed her commitment and support of parents having “a seat at the table” at schools to address education curriculums.

“Empowering than a parent and their child, and there's nobody that cares more about your child than you as a parent. It's incredibly important for us to be involved in their education,” said Weinberger. “And to be involved in their education— I'm not a teacher I don't believe that I have all the answers. It's very important for you to know what's going on in your child's life.”

In addition, Weinberger echoed Gov. DeSantis's “Protect Religious Liberty” initiative that allows students to pray in schools. In June 2021, Gov. DeSantis signed HB 529 into law. HB 529 instituted a two-minute moment of silence for children in public schools.

“The idea that you can just push God out of every institution and be successful, I’m sorry, our Founding Fathers did not believe that,” DeSantis said.

Weinberger, who sees faith as being essential to a child’s upbringing,  says that she, “would love to have prayer school, and whether or not somebody chooses not to be a part of it,” she can respect their wishes.

“I believe that we should allow them to pray whichever religion they choose to follow.  Having faith is essential. Having a relationship with, a spiritual relationship with God.  I feel like that there's nothing more positive that we could support for our children. I would much rather my children want to go pray than want to go want to use drugs,” added Weinberger.

House Seat 94 is considered a very safe, farm-friendly Republican district.

In addition to Weinberger, Republicans Jon Carter, Anthony Aguirre, Christian Acosta, and Gabrielle Fox, and Democrat Rachelle Litt, have also registered to run for this state house seat.

The post Megan Weinberger Aligned With DeSantis on Parental Rights and Prayer in Schools appeared first on The Floridian.

In response to the growing concerns made by parents surrounding the government’s influence on their children’s education, Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) has introduced the Fostering Resource Efficiency in Education by Zero Employment (FREEZE) Act.

This bill would enforce a hiring freeze at the U.S. Department of Education (DoE).

As Chairman of the Early Childhood, Secondary, and Elementary Subcommittee, the FREEZE Act is right in Rep. Bean’s wheelhouse.

It is co-sponsored by Rep. Bean’s Education and Workforce Committee colleagues, Representatives Mary Miller (R-IL) and Nathanial Moran (R-TX).

“Parents should have the loudest voice in their kids’ educational development, not unelected government bureaucrats. It’s past time to get the feds out of the classroom and stop the ever-increasing bureaucracy at the Department of Education. Imposing a hiring freeze at the department is just the first step to decrease the role of the federal government and return education policy to where it belongs—the state and local level,” said Bean.

Additionally, Rep. Miller, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, stated that she is proud to “stand with House Republicans” and “hold the Biden Department of Education accountable.”

“Parents should play a central role in their children’s education, not the federal government. I am proud to stand with House Republicans in their effort to hold the Biden Department of Education accountable to parents and taxpayers, as the Biden administration continues to advocate for policies allowing men in girls' restrooms and locker rooms, and forcing our daughters to compete against men in school sports. Parents are the God-given advocates for their children, not the radical Left,” said Congresswoman Miller.

Serving Florida’s 4^th Congressional District, Bean had served in the Florida state legislature for 8 years before his election in 2022.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) endorsed Bean, mentioning that he was "a principled conservative leader and business owner who knows what Florida families need and will stand up for our values in Washington."

Congressman Bean also sits on the Committee on Small Business, as well as the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The post Bean Introduces the FREEZE Act, Stopping Hirings at DoE appeared first on The Floridian.

Fort Pierce— Florida’s 2023-2024 Fiscal Year “Framework For Freedom” Budget was signed into law Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday morning.

The historic $115 Billion package includes scores of funding, tax relief, and salary increase records across all sectors of the economy. A historic $20 billion surplus in Florida’s reserves was tapped to finance initiatives aimed at returning unused taxpayer dollars to Floridians.

Namely, the Budget provides over $2.7 billion in tax relief, the highest of its kind in Florida history. The previous record was $1.2 billion, also set by the DeSantis administration last year. Popular tax-relief measures in the Budget include a 50% reduction in tolls and savings for families and children in the form of sales tax exemptions. Together, just these two measures amount to over $1 billion in savings for taxpayers.

For State Education, the budget pledges salary increases for eligible teachers to the tune of $1.1 billion, a record increase. DeSantis emphasized how the funding was narrowly tailored to be exclusively used for salary raises. According to him, the budget ensures the raises are not “going to Bureaucracy, or to Unions, only to teachers. 100% of this money will go to the teacher’s pockets.”

Governor DeSantis Signs the Framework for Freedom Budget https://t.co/JVg77GqEnK

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 15, 2023

An additional $26 billion are apportioned to state education, $12.1 billion of which are reserved for the k-12 public school system, another state record. Furthermore, Florida’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) initiatives will receive $451 million. The budget describes VPK as “a high-quality, free education initiative, which serves approximately 155,000 four- and five-year-olds.”

The entire Framework for Freedom Budget can be found here.

The budget also set new records regarding business and environment state efforts. Transportation infrastructure improvement projects will receive $13.4 billion, while workforce education programs will be bolstered with a record $635 million funds injection. $614 million are promised for Everglades restoration, with $3.3 billion for both Everglades conservation and water resource protection scheduled for release over the course of the next 4 years.

DeSantis also highlighted a repeat of popular $1k bonuses previously granted for all Florida law-enforcement agents and firefighters.

Lodged in the budget are $12 million for “facilitating the transport of unauthorized aliens”. Commonly referred to by the media as “illegal migrant flights”, these have been the center of national controversy throughout the past months.

While presenting the budget, DeSantis contrasted Florida’s economic successes under his leadership vis-a-vis American economic decline under President Joe Biden. DeSantis commented that while the country suffered due to sky-high inflation, Florida inflation was “lower than that of the United States while having the 2nd lowest debt per capita in the United States.”

The post DeSantis enacts Florida's new $114.8 billion Framework for Freedom Budget appeared first on The Floridian.

During a press conference at the True North Classical Academy in Miami, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a series of laws meant to "support and empower Florida’s teachers, reign in out-of-control unions and school boards, get TikTok out of schools, and protect the integrity of the classroom."

These reforms include a Teachers Bill of Rights which allows for teachers to "preserve safety and order in their classrooms by giving teaches the benefit of the doubt when breaking up fights, preventing assaults, and giving teachers the presumption of acting lawfully, acting on behalf of their personal safety, and the safety of their students," according to the Governor's office.

There has been a recent uptick in violent brawls in South Florida School Districts.

"Teachers have a right to teach in an orderly and safe classroom," said Governor DeSantis.

Today Governor DeSantis signed the Teachers Bill of Rights, empowering teachers to “preserve the order and safety of their classroom”. pic.twitter.com/fIWbm8ioRN

— Chris Nelson (@ReOpenChris) May 9, 2023

The reforms also include a "$252+ million increase for the teacher salary increase categorical, which will stand at more than $1 billion for school year 2023–2024," according to the Governor's office.

“We have delivered another record boost to teacher pay and we have coupled salary increases with positive reforms. For far too long, unions and rogue school boards have pushed around our teachers, misused government funds for political purposes, taken money from teachers’ pockets to steer it for purposes other than representation of teachers, and sheltered their true political goals from the educators they purport to represent,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis slammed the Teachers Unions for pushing to keep schools closed and children masked.

"They were instrumental in trying to force mask the kids. Against the evidence, against the science, against the data," DeSantis told the Floridian. "We are the state level were instrumental in unmasking the kids."

“In Chicago, you’d have the Teachers Union saying ‘We can’t have kids in school! It’s too dangerous! Then you’d see the Union people in the Bahamas partying, no mask!”

DeSantis calls out the Teachers Unions for keeping children masked and for holding up Teacher Pay Increases. pic.twitter.com/oqHw16WPb9

— Chris Nelson (@ReOpenChris) May 9, 2023

DeSantis also called out Florida Teacher's Unions for holding up the teacher pay increase for political reasons.

"Some of the School Unions were holding up the pay increases," said DeSantis. "They had the money in July of 2022, and we got to the end of the year and they still hadn't given pay increases to their teachers because they were trying to leverage that for other things to benefit the school unions."

Under a new law signed by Governor DeSantis, union dues will no longer be allowed to be automatically deducted from teachers paychecks.

"By signing the Paycheck Protection Act, Florida teachers will be able to choose how their hard-earned money is spent," Tweeted DeSantis. "School unions will no longer be able to hold teachers' paychecks hostage with veiled threats while hiding where the money goes."

By signing the Paycheck Protection Act, Florida teachers will be able to choose how their hard-earned money is spent.

School unions will no longer be able to hold teachers’ paychecks hostage with veiled threats while hiding where the money goes.

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 9, 2023

The new law also seeks to hold Unions accountable by allowing state investigations into unions suspected of fraud, waste and abuse and requiring annual audits and financial disclosures for unions.

“Today, I want to thank our legislative leaders and the many bill sponsors for working with us to empower our teachers and ushering in a new era of accountability to the people," said DeSantis. "No longer will politically motivated school boards and special interests wield their power over Florida’s teachers.”

Another law signed today seeks to to limit the power of School Board Members by limiting them to two four-year terms.

“Senate Bill (SB) 256, House Bill (HB) 477, HB 1537, HB 1035 and HB 379 represent the most comprehensive package of pro-educator bills in Florida’s history, and probably the nation’s," said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr.

A fourth law signed today by DeSantis will allow for teachers to establish rules for cell phone use during class time and also ban the use of the app Tik Tok, which has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The law also requires schools to give instruction on the harmful effects of social media.

DeSantis says Teachers should be able to tell kids to leave their phones at the front of the room during class.

“As a mom, I’m particularly grateful for the Governor and Legislature’s focus on getting social media out of the classroom and giving teachers the benefit of the doubt when maintaining safety in the classroom. This is a clear recognition that the voices and concerns of Florida’s teachers were heard and addressed in the 2023 Session," said Lt Governor Jeanette Nunez.

The new laws go into effect July 1.

The post DeSantis Signs $1 Billion Teacher Pay Increase, Imposes Limits on Union Bosses and School Board Members appeared first on The Floridian.

While TikTok is the most visible means by which China seeks to subvert the United States, others are more subtle. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has reintroduced a bill preventing federal funds from going to colleges and universities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Ties can be in the form of backing from Chinese entities affiliated with the Party or hosting a Confucius Institute. While Confucius Institutes claim to aid in teaching of the Chinese language and culture, they have frequently faced accusations of spreading CCP propaganda and facilitating spies.

As such, Sen. Scott's bill would prevent funding from going to schools hosting these Institutes or having a relationship with Chinese entities.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must ensure any school that has received in-kind donations, gifts, or entered a relationship with a Confucius Institute or other entity will be ineligible to receive further funds.

In his press release, Sen. Scott said, "for years, I have been warning of the threat from Communist China, which continues to steal U.S. technology and intellectual property in its quest for world domination."

"For years, I have been warning of the threat from Communist China, which continues to steal U.S. technology and intellectual property in its quest for world domination. Confucius Institutes are hotbeds for spreading Communist China's propaganda and allow for communist spies, acting under the guise of researchers, to steal intellectual property. These spies have no place on America's college campuses. Taxpayer dollars should never be spent on programs which allow the CCP to steal information regarding matters of national security, like military and technology advancements, to use against us," Scott added.

In February, Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) had similarly warned of CCP-owned or CCP-backed private schools in the United States attempting to establish Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs, calling it "troublesome."

The post Scott Reintroduces Bill Cutting Funds to Chinese-Tied Schools appeared first on The Floridian.

The Broward School Board is set to consider a resolution "in support of African-American history instruction in Broward County Public Schools". The resolution is being brought forth by former Chair Torey Alston, who was appointed to the board by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022. Alston appeared with DeSantis at a press conference on March 8 where the Governor dispelled rumors that books about Roberto Clemente were being "banned".

"The narrative on book bans on Black history or key black leaders is false," said Alston at the presser. "I am honored to stand with you today as we clearly correct many of the false narratives that I've heard around the State, around the country and particularly down in South Florida."

“The narrative on “book bans” on Black history or key Black leaders is false.”

Broward County School Board Member @ToreyAlston speaks at @GovRonDeSantis presser. pic.twitter.com/xgZE6U2ngM

— Chris Nelson (@ReOpenChris) March 8, 2023

Alston looks to go further by reaffirming that Broward Schools will teach African-American history in accordance with Florida Law. His resolution, which will be discussed at Tuesday's school board meeting states that the Broward School Board "fully supports Florida law and continued instruction of African-American history in all schools." It also directs the Superintendent to keep the district in compliance with State law and encourages the Diversity Advisory Committee to engage with the State's African American History Task Force for "continued collaboration".

Governor Ron DeSantis was accused in media of removing AP African-American History courses due to woke ideology being found in the lessons. When the offending lessons were removed including a study of "Queer Theory", the courses were reinstated.

"The resolution I drafted on Tuesday's agenda is very clear that African-American instruction has been taught and continues in all of our schools," Alston told the Floridian in an email. "There has been a lot of questions and misinformation shared, and I hope this resolution sends a clear message that African-American instruction is important, is state law and I will ensure our district remains fully compliant as I publicly stated a few weeks ago. I hope my colleagues would join me in supporting this resolution, and I hope other school districts will follow the Broward model."

Read Alston's resolution below.

The post Broward School Board to Vote on Resolution In Support of African-American History appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has just signed House Bill 1 in Miami, which expands school choice in Florida immensely.

During the press event held at a private Catholic school, Gov. DeSantis spoke of how Florida "is number one when it comes to education freedom and education choice."

"The State of Florida is number one when it comes to education and education choice. And today's bill signing cement us in that number one position, because we'll be signing legislation which will represent the largest expansion of education choice not only in the history of this state but in the history of these United States," said Gov. DeSantis.

Additionally, Florida is ranked number one in multiple education fronts such as parental power by the Center for Education Reform, state spending on private school choice, and tax credit scholarship enrollment.

Moreover, one-third of the nation's private scholarship recipients come from Florida.

Gov. DeSantis Signs School Choice Legislation https://t.co/WMWAs96csy

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 27, 2023

"But what's happened is over the years, as Florida has embraced parental choice, education freedom, you've seen other entities respond. We now have over 360,00o students in charter schools, and our school districts, particularly in here Miami-Dade County, have embraced choice within the school districts. So if you look at all of the students in Florida that are using some type of choice program, private scholarship, charter, intra-district choice, it totals 1.3 million students across our state are utilizing some type of choice program," DeSantis continued, noting this number alone is larger than the total K-12 enrollment of thirty-five other states.

He then describes how House Bill one seeks to remove current financial eligibility requirements for school choice scholarships, especially for low-income families, eliminate the enrollment cap for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and remove the online course credit requirement.

Benefits for teachers include waiving the general knowledge requirement if teachers have been in the classroom and rated "effective" for three years. A second is expanding the temporary teaching license to five years and other means of eliminating red tape.

DeSantis explained the reasoning of this bill was driven by results more than by philosophy, especially in a state as diverse as Florida, which was ranked number three in the country after COVID.

"If you look at the results that came in, I think the states ahead of us were much different states in terms of their diversity and in terms of their size. If you controlled for demographic differences, we would be number one in the country, just like we were in 2019... and so for us to be as big as we are, as diverse as we are, not just in terms of being like one area; you know the Panhandle's a lot different from Palm Beach and Naples is a lot different than Jacksonville, and yet we've been able to do it in a way that's producing good student outcomes," DeSantis concludes.

The post DeSantis Signs Universal School Choice Bill appeared first on The Floridian.

An after-school event set to take place tomorrow at an Orlando High School featuring drag performers has been canceled after a call from the Florida Department of Education, a school spokesman has confirmed.

"Donuts and Drag with Mama Rose" was advertised on the Instagram page of "Boone High's Queer and Ally Alliance". According to the flyer the event was set to take place tomorrow, Thursday, March 22, 2023 "after school at 2:30 in Room 611 Media Center" at Boone High School in Orlando. But as of this afternoon, the event has been canceled.

"The event Donuts & Drag was not a drag show, but an opportunity for the students to hear a positive message of acceptance and love," Principal Hector Maestre said in an audio message to parents and given to The Floridian. "This was to be the third year the speaker has addressed this club. As a result of a call from the Florida Department of Education today, the event has been canceled. The Department questioned whether the event was age and developmentally appropriate and indicated any administrator, teacher, or staff member in attendance may be investigated and jeopardize their professional license."

LOOK! Boone High School in Orlando, Florida is bringing in drag queen Mama Rose for “Drag & Donuts” this Thursday! pic.twitter.com/18k1kAKnxi

— Chris Nelson (@ReOpenChris) March 22, 2023

"Mama Rose", also known as "Mama Ashley Rose", is a man named Jason DeShazo. DeShazo is president of the Rose Dynasty Foundation who state on their website their mission is "to provide a safe and family friendly atmosphere for all people no matter their gender, race, sexual orientation, and/or religion, through mentoring, fundraising, fostering community, and promoting awareness of resources. Rose Dynasty embodies the message that you are “Loved, Accepted, and Wanted.”

According to a flyer posted on his Facebook page, DeShazo will be performing at an "All Ages Drag Show" on March 31 at Wales Pointe Restaurant and Bar in Lake Wales, Florida. DeShazo spoke at a committee hearing in Tallahassee today claiming new Florida laws are causing "Nazis" to show up at his events and causing him to be "falsely accused of things that are inappropriate."

In a statement on his Facebook page, DeShazo says he is "shocked and dismayed today to learn that the third annual Drag and Donuts event with the Boone High School QAA was abruptly canceled when the Florida Department of Education threatened to strip the licenses of any teacher, administrator or staff having any involvement."

DeShazo says it has been "proven that our events are positive, educational, and beneficial."

Orange County School Board Member Alicia Farrant disagrees.

"Hundreds of parents rose up and said this event is not appropriate for children," Farrant told the Floridian in a phone interview. "Parents have said enough is enough."

In his statement, DeShazo calls this an "attack on the LGBTQ+ community and harmful to queer youth and their families." He says at his events he strives to "provide a safe space for everyone, and that should be something that we can all agree on.

"This is the same as inviting a female stripper to come in her outfit and mentor students over donuts," said Farrant. "If he wanted to come dressed as a man to talk about queer issues that's one thing, but normalizing drag is crossing the line."

The post Drag Event at Florida High School Canceled After Call from State appeared first on The Floridian.