DeSantis: The Authoritarian

[Spike Trader]

'Dictatorial' Ron DeSantis blasted over 'legally suspect' state attorney suspension

DeSantis is waiting for his handlers to tell him what to say.

A few hours after Warren's appearance on CNN, the South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Board blasted DeSantis for his "legally suspect" decision.

"DeSantis is driven by partisanship and a zeal to use the powers of his office to silence critics — and wants voters to give him four more years in November so he can continue to run roughshod over his critics. Who’s next?" the editors wrote.

 

[gwb-trading]

Let's see what is up with voting in DeSantisLand....

Florida Republicans targeted Black voters, justice department says in filing
The agency claims the restrictions, including a ban on providing water and food to those lining up to vote, are racially motivated
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/17/florida-republicans-black-voters-justice-department

 

[gwb-trading]

 

[gwb-trading]

First... Wall Street firms had to put Florida over their knee and educate the DeSantisLand crowd that banks would no longer support bond issuance in Florida if the state backed out of the RCID agreement with Disney -- forcing DeSantis and his legislature to back-down and quietly announce they would merely rename the Disney RCID district next year.

Now little Ron is picking a fight with Wall Street banks over their investment strategies and trying to force new rules on them --- simply to further his political career. This will not end well for Ron. Of course, he will quietly back down after making a big fuss. After all this is just posturing by DeSantis.

DeSantis' proposed new rules for pension investments push Florida into fight against Wall Street
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/17/politics/desantis-pension-rules-esg-investing/index.html

 

[gwb-trading]

Fidel De Santis announces the his Voter Suppression Police have claimed their first victims, charging 20 former felons with voting illegally. Oddly all of them from Democratic stronghold counties in Florida. The Authoritarian did not even send his secret election police to perform any investigations in Republican counties.

Florida officials arrest and charge 20 people with illegal voting, DeSantis says
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crim...rge-20-people-with-illegal-voting/ar-AA10Okzy

 

[Cuddles]

Fidel De Santis announces the his Voter Suppression Police have claimed their first victims, charging 20 former felons with voting illegally. Oddly all of them from Democratic stronghold counties in Florida. The Authoritarian did not even send his secret election police to perform any investigations in Republican counties.

Florida officials arrest and charge 20 people with illegal voting, DeSantis says
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crim...rge-20-people-with-illegal-voting/ar-AA10Okzy

20 felons whose voting rights were restored by the democratic will of the people of FL and DeFascist and his congress goons stripped back by imposing a poll tax. But you knew that already GWB and were on board w/disenfranchisement:

I am sure the Florida Democratic party will mail to each of these 32,000 felons telling them due to the magnificence of a Democratic donor they are now able to vote... and give instructions on how to register and vote.

let's just overrule the majority's vote. Odds this makes it to SCOTUS in time? Nil

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...ment-restores-felon-voting-rights/1911848002/
Florida passes amendment to restore voting rights for 1.5 million felons

Florida voters on Tuesday approved Amendment 4, which says that most felons will automatically have their voting rights restored when they complete their sentences or go on probation.

The amendment restores voting rights to former felons who served their sentence, including parole and probation, with the exception of those convicted of murder and sexual offenses. Currently, former felons must wait at least 5 years after completing their sentences to ask the Florida Clemency Board, made up by the governor and the Cabinet, to restore their rights.

A U.S. district judge found Florida's current system arbitrary and unconstitutional in March, and the case is under appeal. If passed, Amendment 4 would impact 1.5 million Floridians. Florida is one of four states that disenfranchises former felons permanently.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/f...ees-and-fines-are-paid/ar-BB18WA4R?li=BBnb7Kz
Federal appeals court blocks Florida's felons from voting until fees and fines are paid

The appeals court's ruling was written by Chief Judge William Pryor, who was named to the court by President George W. Bush and is on Trump's list of potential Supreme Court nominees. The other five judges in the 6-4 majority were appointed by Trump. All four judges in the minority were named by Democratic presidents.

The legal battle stems from a constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters in 2018 that allows most felons to vote after their sentences are complete. Those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense are not included.

In response, the Republican-controlled state Legislature passed and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law requiring that felons first pay all of their financial obligations

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/20...rg-backed-felon-voting-rights-effort-n1240848
Florida AG calls for investigation into Bloomberg-backed felon voting rights effort
The former New York City mayor helped raise at least $16 million for felons to pay off outstanding legal fines and fees.

"Today, I sent a letter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation into potential violations of election laws," Moody said in a statement on Wednesday. “And I have instructed the Statewide Prosecutor to work with law enforcement and any Statewide Grand Jury that the Governor may call."

While she does not explicitly call for an investigation into Bloomberg himself, her letter to the two agencies cites a Washington Post article on his involvement. She said that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis asked her to review the matter.

Sadly, the governor has overruled the will of the people and has criminalized ex-felon voting, disenfranchising them.

Though it seems SCOTUS will yet again play a part in giving the GOP the presidency:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/19/florida-felon-voting-rights-explained/

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/...urce=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Florida Supreme Court Sides With DeSantis Over Felons Vote

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday it is fair that convicted felons in Florida must pay off all fines and fees associated with their sentencing before having their right to vote restored, siding with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and the Republican legislature.

“The Governor asks whether the phrase “all terms of sentence” encompasses legal financial obligations (LFOs)—fines, restitution, costs, and fees—ordered by the sentencing court,” the very conservative court wrote. “We answer in the affirmative, concluding that ‘all terms of sentence’ encompasses not just durational periods but also all LFOs imposed in conjunction with an adjudication of guilt.”

This legal advice relates to Amendment 4, a ballot measure passed overwhelmingly in Florida in 2018. The amendment allows felons — excepting those convicted on murder or felony sex crimes charges — to get back the right to vote after they’ve served their time and paid restitution and court costs.

Republicans wasted little time before they tacked on legislative fine print, passing a state law expanding which fees felons must pay before they get their voting rights restored. The law includes purposefully broad language to encompass as many fees and fines as possible, an obstacle to the former felons stacked on top of Florida’s already unusually high court fees.

DeSantis signed the law in June 2019. He then asked the state Supreme Court to advise on whether the former inmates would be required to pay off all legal costs incurred during their sentencing. They have now answered in the affirmative.

Critics of the Republicans’ moves have likened the payment requirements to a “poll tax” and raised concerns that millions of the newly eligible voters will languish in disenfranchisement, lacking the money to pay off the financial obligations.

“The Florida Supreme Court’s decision is disappointing and cuts the 1.4 million people who voters expressly intended to re-enfranchise almost in half,” said Nancy Abudu, deputy legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, in a statement. “By holding Floridians’ right to vote hostage, the Florida Supreme Court is permitting the unconstitutional modern-day poll tax in SB 7066, and redefining an amendment nearly 65 percent of Florida voters approved of in 2018.”

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/...urce=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Florida Supreme Court Sides With DeSantis Over Felons Vote

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday it is fair that convicted felons in Florida must pay off all fines and fees associated with their sentencing before having their right to vote restored, siding with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and the Republican legislature.

“The Governor asks whether the phrase “all terms of sentence” encompasses legal financial obligations (LFOs)—fines, restitution, costs, and fees—ordered by the sentencing court,” the very conservative court wrote. “We answer in the affirmative, concluding that ‘all terms of sentence’ encompasses not just durational periods but also all LFOs imposed in conjunction with an adjudication of guilt.”

This legal advice relates to Amendment 4, a ballot measure passed overwhelmingly in Florida in 2018. The amendment allows felons — excepting those convicted on murder or felony sex crimes charges — to get back the right to vote after they’ve served their time and paid restitution and court costs.

Republicans wasted little time before they tacked on legislative fine print, passing a state law expanding which fees felons must pay before they get their voting rights restored. The law includes purposefully broad language to encompass as many fees and fines as possible, an obstacle to the former felons stacked on top of Florida’s already unusually high court fees.

DeSantis signed the law in June 2019. He then asked the state Supreme Court to advise on whether the former inmates would be required to pay off all legal costs incurred during their sentencing. They have now answered in the affirmative.

Critics of the Republicans’ moves have likened the payment requirements to a “poll tax” and raised concerns that millions of the newly eligible voters will languish in disenfranchisement, lacking the money to pay off the financial obligations.

“The Florida Supreme Court’s decision is disappointing and cuts the 1.4 million people who voters expressly intended to re-enfranchise almost in half,” said Nancy Abudu, deputy legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, in a statement. “By holding Floridians’ right to vote hostage, the Florida Supreme Court is permitting the unconstitutional modern-day poll tax in SB 7066, and redefining an amendment nearly 65 percent of Florida voters approved of in 2018.”

not so fast say cheater republicans. What part of the word illegal don't these GOPer's understand?
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-florida-felons-insight-idUSKBN1WM0YV
Restoring felon voting rights a 'mess' in battleground Florida

 

[gwb-trading]

20 felons whose voting rights were restored by the democratic will of the people of FL and DeFascist and his congress goons stripped back by imposing a poll tax. But you knew that already GWB and were on board w/disenfranchisement:

Let me state that I generally do not support the restoration of voting rights for felons -- I would support exceptions for non-serious ("E class") felonies plus exceptions for restoration of rights for pardons, etc. plus exceptions when the felon pays the victim back fully for financial crimes, etc. We have had discussions on this subject in the past.

However the real problem in the U.S. history of not allowing voting rights for felons is the association with the deliberate disfranchisement of blacks from voting in the 1860s/1870s. There is an underlying need to ensure in the modern era that disallowing the vote for felons is not being used to disfranchise a group of voters in a targeted manner -- but is merely an alignment of defined rules for felony offenders (for example in the same manner that those released for sex crimes must register as sex offenders for life based on their crimes). IMO the rules on voting rights for felons should not be done state-by-state but defined at a national level with clear oversight and rules -- so every state has the exact same voting rules in regards to felons.

 

[gwb-trading]

Ron DeSantis just had a very bad day
https://www.rawstory.com/ron-desantis-2657885189/


To be fair every day in Florida with Ron DeSantis is a bad day for the majority of the residents.

 

[Cuddles]

Let me state that I generally do not support the restoration of voting rights for felons -- I would support exceptions for non-serious ("E class") felonies plus exceptions for restoration of rights for pardons, etc. plus exceptions when the felon pays the victim back fully for financial crimes, etc. We have had discussions on this subject in the past.
However the real problem in the U.S. history of not allowing voting rights for felons is the association with the deliberate disfranchisement of blacks from voting in the 1860s/1870s. There is an underlying need to ensure in the modern era that disallowing the vote for felons is not being used to disfranchise a group of voters in a targeted manner -- but is merely an alignment of defined rules for felony offenders (for example in the same manner that those released for sex crimes must register as sex offenders for life based on their crimes). IMO the rules on voting rights for felons should not be done state-by-state but defined at a national level with clear oversight and rules -- so every state has the exact same voting rules in regards to felons.

Thank you captain obvious.

 

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1561200990442950656