OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to introduce legislation that would protect that state’s citizens against discrimination based on their vaccine status or mask wearing.
Many of the rules regarding COVID in the state are set to expire in July, but the governor wants to take it further to ensure the rights of his state’s citizens, he said in a press conference on Thursday, The Daily Caller reported.
“We were the first state in the country to ban COVID vaccine passports in the spring of 2021, almost two years ago,” the governor said. “We protected employees from being fired from their job. We did a special session in 2021 over the shots [and] banned schools from requiring covid shots for students, including universities.
“We’re gonna do a whole package. We’re gonna make all this permanent, then we’re gonna add some more protections for people,” he said. “You should be able to live your life without a mask … I just think it’s a civil right to be able to breathe the fresh air and be able to live your life.”
Today, I unveiled my plan to pursue the most comprehensive legislation in Florida history to increase prescription drug pricing transparency and accountability, including reining in so-called pharmacy benefit managers. pic.twitter.com/GxMgwRzTXW
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 12, 2023
He also “unveiled a legislative proposal to reign in unchecked Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and drive transparency among prescription drug prices influenced by Big Pharma. This proposal furthers the Administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices and reaffirms the state’s commitment to assist Floridians in making more informed health care decisions. Many states have enacted comprehensive reforms to PBMs and it is time for Florida to take action to protect consumers and small businesses,” a press release said.
“These reforms will enhance transparency and reduce the influence of pharmacy middlemen, which will help consumers as well as our small pharmacies,” he said. “I look forward to these reforms becoming law.”
This month DeSantis ordered state National Guard troops to active duty as a surge of migrants in the Florida Keys continued. The GOP governor went on to blast President Joe Biden’s failure to tackle the issue, calling his overall response to the border and immigration crises “inept,” adding that the administration has “failed to provide the resources necessary to respond to the current mass migration event.”
His order also instructs Florida law enforcement and other state agencies to help local governments as they respond to the surge of migrant landings in South Florida.
“As the negative impacts of Biden’s lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administration’s failure falls on local law enforcement, who lack the resources to deal with the crisis,” said DeSantis. “That is why I am activating the National Guard and directing state resources to help alleviate the strain on local resources. When Biden continues to ignore his legal responsibilities, we will step in to support our communities.”
DeSantis calls up National Guard to meet Cuban refugee influx https://t.co/oPMpZb1D56
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) January 7, 2023
The order adds:
It is particularly burdensome for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, which has 194 deputies, to dedicate the necessary resources to manage the movement of hundreds of migrants while also ensuring adequate public safety. The Biden Administration’s response has been inept, failing to provide the resources necessary to respond to the current mass migration event. Instead, the burden falls on local law enforcement, which puts Floridians at risk.
The State of Florida will deploy air assets, including airplanes and helicopters from the Florida National Guard, and will bolster Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission marine patrol to support water interdictions and ensure the safety of migrants attempting to reach Florida through the Florida Straits.
Florida has a long history of helping refugees, including Cubans and others fleeing communist regimes, find support after they arrive in the United States, however, this has always involved support from the Federal Government and a large, coordinated effort amongst state, federal and local governments.
“Since August 2022, federal, state and local law enforcement have encountered more than 8,000 migrants in waters off the coast of Florida,” the order noted further.
Reports said that Border Patrol agents encountered about 90 migrants from Cuba off the coast of the keys earlier this week. About 300 migrants entered Dry Tortugas National Park on Sunday, and an additional 45 migrants entered Key West on Sunday.
