CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - MAY 13: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during an Iowa GOP reception on May 13, 2023 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although he has not yet announced his candidacy, Gov. DeSantis has received the endorsement of 37 Iowa lawmakers for the Republican presidential nomination next year. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
By Mona Austin
(TSN): Florida Governor Ron Desantis has made two quesrTonable moves that can have a major impact on the state's evonmy recently -- laying down the law on immigrarion and geuding wirh the Walt Disney Company, which generates billions in the econimybthrough tourism.
First on immigratiion. . .
Some Florida businesses have seen a rapid decrease in workers following passage of new anti-immigration rules. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1718 into law on May 10. A release from his office said the bill was designed "to combat the dangerous effects of illegal immigration caused by the federal government’s reckless border policies. . . :
The legislaton requires companies with over 25 employees to use E-verify starting this July 1 and if they knowingly hired illegals penalties will apply. On top of that, the rules prohibit local governments from issuing IDs to illegal aliens and invalidates those previously given out.
One of the most diverse states in the nation, Florida has heavily relied on immigrants in the hospitality and construction industries. The immigrants population did nit suddenly balloon under the leadership of Pres. Joe Biden as DeSantis statements seem to imply.
The legislation was approved one day before Title 42 expired and the DHS began processing a new wave of asylum seekers at the Texas border.
“The impacts of Biden’s Border Crisis are felt by communities across the nation, and the federal government’s abdication of duty undermines the sovereignty of our country and the rule of law,” said DeSantis. “At my direction, state agencies, including law enforcement and the Florida National Guard, are being deployed to Texas, with assets including personnel, boats and planes. While Biden ignores the crisis he created, Florida stands ready to help Texas respond to this crisis.”
According to the Miami Herald, civil rights groups have issued a travel alert for the state of Florida.
DeSantis is expected to announce his bid for president next week.
On the Disney lawsuit...
Meanwhile, the Walt Disney Company is suing DeDantis and others in state government for forging a “targeted campaign to weaponize government power” over the company. The feud started when Disney executives criticized the Don't Say Gay bill and stood up for its LGBTQ employees.