Florida Stands with Texas in Border Dispute; Lawmakers Explore School Safety and Redistricting
Florida’s Unwavering Support for Texas in Border Dispute
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has unequivocally pledged Florida’s unwavering support for Texas in its ongoing dispute with the federal government over the southern border. DeSantis joins approximately 15 other red states backing Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who maintains that the federal government’s failure to protect Texas from an influx of migrants effectively constitutes an invasion.
This unwavering stance comes in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to clear the way for the federal government to remove razor wire installed by Texas to deter migrants from entering the state. In light of this development, DeSantis reiterated Florida’s commitment to sending personnel and assets to the Texas border, extending an earlier program aimed at assisting Texas in securing its border.
DeSantis emphasized the importance of state sovereignty and the imperative of a secure country. He criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the border situation, asserting that Texas has the right to enforce the law and maintain its security. He further stated that Florida will continue to provide support to Texas in its efforts to protect its borders.
Immigration as a Defining Issue in the 2024 Election
Immigration has emerged as a critical issue in the upcoming 2024 election, consistently ranking high among voter concerns. The U.S. Senate has been working on crafting immigration reform legislation, but significant challenges remain.
Senator Rick Scott and other conservative Republicans have expressed strong opposition to a proposed bill that would reportedly allow up to 5,000 migrants to enter the country daily. They argue that such a measure would further exacerbate the border crisis and fail to address issues related to illegal drug trafficking, criminal activity, and human trafficking.
The potential border deal, which also includes aid for Ukraine, faces an uncertain future after months of negotiations. Former President Donald Trump has been pressuring Republicans to reject any agreement, calling for a “perfect” border deal. Trump’s strategy aims to leverage the surge in migration as a central plank of his presidential campaign, potentially undermining a border agreement.
School Safety and Gun Legislation: A Continued Focus
Discussions on school safety and gun reform are ongoing at both the federal and state levels. Florida Representative Jared Moskowitz, along with Parkland victims’ families, recently led House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark on a guided tour of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the site of a tragic shooting in February 2018 that resulted in 17 deaths and 17 injuries.
The building where the massacre occurred has been preserved in its immediate post-shooting state and is slated for demolition later this summer. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona joined family members who lost loved ones in the shooting for a tour of the school. Afterwards, Cardona facilitated a discussion with the Parkland families, focusing on measures to prevent future school shootings.
Moskowitz expressed hope for the passage of a national red flag law, which would empower law enforcement to petition a judge to remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. Moskowitz highlighted the support for Florida’s red flag law among sheriffs statewide.
Following the Parkland shooting, the Florida Legislature implemented the first gun reform measures in the state in two decades, including raising the age to purchase long guns from 18 to 21. However, lawmakers are considering rolling back this restriction during the current legislative session.
Redistricting Fight Awaits Federal Judge’s Decision
As the 2024 election nears, a federal court case is ongoing regarding the redistricting of Congressional District 5 in Florida. The North Florida district underwent significant changes before the 2022 election. In 2016, Democrat Al Lawson was elected to represent the district.
However, after the state legislature altered the district map following the 2020 census, all North Florida congressional seats were won by Republicans in the 2022 election. Voting rights groups have challenged the redistricting, claiming it is unconstitutional.
The boundaries of District 5 were redrawn, shifting from a configuration stretching from Jacksonville West to Gadsden County to one covering the southern and eastern parts of Jacksonville and extending south along the St. Johns River through St. Augustine.
Common Cause Executive Director Amy Keith argues that the redistricting is racially discriminatory, intentionally diluting the voting power of Black communities by dividing them across multiple districts, resulting in white representatives for all the newly created districts.
The state, in its defense, maintains that the new map is race-neutral, prioritizing traditional redistricting criteria such as compactness and adherence to geographic and political boundaries. The trial concluded late last year, and a decision from the federal judges is expected before March.
Concurrently, a similar lawsuit in the state court system will be taken up by the Florida Supreme Court. The plaintiffs have until February 28 to file their initial brief, with subsequent filing deadlines potentially extending the case’s resolution until the end of May.