State-elected Republicans are pushing back at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after stating they, not the governor, will make the final decision on whether a special session will take place in the next few weeks.
Earlier this week, the Governor said he was calling back state legislators to get prepared with upcoming issues like Trump’s executive orders on deporting illegal here in Florida and hurricane relief, condo legislation and reforming the amendment process on future elections in the state.
But the resistance against DeSantis isn’t coming from Democrats but instead inside his own party.
Florida State Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said calling for a special session was “premature and irresponsible.” “As the elected representatives of the people, the legislature, not the governor, will decide when and what legislation we consider,” said in a joint press release from Albritton and Perez.
DeSantis says the state needs to get out in front when the executive orders on deportation are executed so it will help local officials and provide funding where needed.
On social media, most conservatives appear to support DeSantis’ urgent approach toward holding a special session to deal with Trump’s plan on deporting illegals. These same conservatives also felt that areas on hurricane funding and dealing with other state issues could wait until the legislature meets in March.
Conservative Radio Host Mark Levin railed against Perez and Albritton, saying, “They sound like California Democrats.”
“Perez and Albritton’s communications people put together this stupid release as an excuse for doing nothing,” said Levin.
On Truth Social, Trump thanked DeSantis for calling for a special session.
But this early disagreement between DeSantis and GOP lawmakers may just be the beginning of things to come.
Florida Capitol reporter Forrest Saunders what is taking place between Gov. DeSantis and Stet GOP leadership is an “interesting power dynamic.”
“This is sort of a game of political chicken that’s developing here, who is going to break first,” said Saunders. “This is the strongest case of legislative autonomy that I have seen in my tenure here in the Florida capitol and I can tell you that for the most part whenever the governor says jump the lawmaker say how high would you like but that is not the case now.”
