Log in Subscribe

Florida legislative leaders reject DeSantis’ call for a special session later this month

‘It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make’ on immigration law, the GOP leaders say.

Posted

Hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis called on the Florida Legislature to gather at the end of this month in a special legislative session to address immigration as well as issues regarding condominiums, hurricane relief, and petition initiatives, the leaders of the House and Senate say that would be premature and they won’t cooperate.

“Florida’s Constitution compels our attendance at a special session unilaterally called by the Governor,” write Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez in a letter issued shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday.

“However, the power to convene a special session also resides with the presiding officers. As the people’s elected representatives, the Legislature, not the Governor, will decide when and what legislation we consider.”

DeSantis originally asked Albritton and Perez to call for a special legislative session on illegal immigration last week in Tampa, but the two leaders never formally responded. Some lawmakers told the Phoenix last week that they didn’t see any reason for a special session with the 60-day regular session less than two months away.

In their letter, Albritton and Perez say that when it comes to immigration — the driving force that DeSantis said is the reason that the Legislature must convene earlier than their March 4 starting date — “we are strong supporters of President Trump and stand ready to follow his lead.”

But they add that they “are not aware of any specific guidance provided to the states about actions state legislatures can take to support forthcoming federal action.”

“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders, and protect the sovereignty of our nation,” Albritton and Perez write.

In fact, the two leaders told reporters in November that immigration policy comes from the federal government, not the states, and backed away from any legislation to address the incoming Trump administration’s promise for mass deportations.

‘Fragments of ideas’

Albritton and Perez also noted on Monday that while DeSantis had discussed “fragments of ideas” for a special session to take place on Jan. 27, “he did not release any actual bill language or even meaningful details for legislators and our constituents to consider.”

Regarding the three other issues that DeSantis wants lawmakers to address, Albritton and Perez see no reason those issues can’t be addressed during the regular session.

“With regard to the additional issues outlined by the Governor this morning, the fact is there are ample funds accessible and available to pay for the State’s ongoing disaster response efforts and additional funds do not have to wait until July 1,” when the next fiscal year state budget will take effect, they write.

“Condominium safety and ballot initiatives proposing constitutional amendments are complex subjects and should be considered during the regular session, not a truncated special session.”

The Phoenix has reached out to the governor’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

Comments

3 comments on this item

Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.

  • David Daniels

    Standing up to this awful Governor. Hope we see more spine from legislative leaders. Stop passing unconstitutional laws that only make GrayRobinson rich in legal fees to defend - paid by taxpayers.

    Wednesday, January 15 Report this

  • jimandlope

    I can’t believe that the Florida Legislature said,”no” to our Governor. Must be cause he’s not running for President any longer! President-elect Trump, his new buddy, is a long time user of the HB work visa program. His Mara Lago estate relies on workers from this pool to exist. Trump has said he doesn’t like to pay overtime and provide benefits so why not use immigrants? Would DeSantis crack down on this practice? Would he be willing to cause agricultural workers to leave the state? What’s in it for Florida? Oh, and what about insurance rates in FL? Shouldn’t any “special session,” address that issue? I would venture to guess that most Floridians would like relief in that area as opposed to tracking down,”illegals”. Jim Tierney

    Wednesday, January 15 Report this

  • andreart

    Vanessa Baugh was fined $8,000 by Ethics Commission. The last time anyone heard, governor had not signed it. To our knowledge, she hasn't paid the fine for vaccine-gate yet.

    Wednesday, January 15 Report this