DeSantis Defends Special Session, Says ‘Action’ Needed
TALLAHASSEE — Saying “a sense of urgency” exists, Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back Wednesday against legislative leaders who called his decision to hold a special session on immigration enforcement and other issues “premature.”
With President-elect Donald Trump vowing to crack down on undocumented immigrants after he is inaugurated Monday, DeSantis said Florida won’t approach the issue in a “lackadaisical fashion.” He also said Republicans, who dominate the Legislature, campaigned on addressing illegal immigration.
“Don’t say you’ll get around to it in a few months. No, we need action, and we need action now,” DeSantis said during an appearance at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Winter Haven.
DeSantis said the special session, which he called to start Jan. 27, is “about actually getting the policies right and delivering the results that we want to do.”
“So it’s certainly not premature,” DeSantis said. “I don’t know why you would want to wait months to be able to take action on an issue that is top drawer with voters.”
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DeSantis also wants lawmakers to use the special session to address issues such as providing aid to hurricane victims; replenishing money for the My Safe Florida Home hardening program; revamping rules for ballot initiatives; and revising condominium-safety laws. DeSantis has not proposed specific legislation.
In describing DeSantis’ decision as premature Monday, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, pointed to the March 4 start of the annual regular legislative session.
In a joint memo, the legislative leaders said they support Trump and “stand ready to follow his lead” on immigration. But the memo said that “at this time, we are not aware of any specific guidance provided to the states about actions state legislatures can take to support forthcoming federal action.”
“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders, and protect the sovereignty of our nation,” the memo said.
They added that while DeSantis “discussed fragments of ideas for a special session … he did not release any actual bill language or even meaningful details for legislators and our constituents to consider.”
Perez and Albritton also said “there are ample funds accessible and available to pay for the state’s ongoing disaster response efforts and additional funds do not have to wait until July 1,” which is the start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
“Condominium safety and ballot initiatives proposing constitutional amendments are complex subjects and should be considered during the regular session, not a truncated special session,” they added.
DeSantis on Wednesday said he was surprised by the response and that changes are “not premature, but overdue.”
“You’re basically saying, after four years of (President Joe) Biden’s really, really destructive immigration and border policies, that it’s somehow premature for us to act with a new president coming in. Are you kidding me?” DeSantis added. “This is the time to act. We don’t have time to wait. And it’s never premature to do the right thing.”
DeSantis on Monday said lawmakers need to provide “tens of millions” of dollars to assist local governments with executive orders from Trump that are expected to include deportation directives.
On Wednesday, he said legislation should require local law-enforcement agencies to have “maximum participation” in assisting federal immigration officials. Joining DeSantis in Winter Haven were several lawmakers and county sheriffs, who highlighted crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
“Illegal immigration doesn’t stop at the border,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. “It filters into every community in this country.”
On Tuesday, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson rejected arguments that mass deportations would hinder the state’s agriculture industry. He said what is known as the H-2A visa program, which is designed to help bring in foreign workers to perform seasonal and temporary work, “needs to be simplified.”
Other stories you may want to read:
- DeSantis Defends Special Session, Says ‘Action’ Needed - January 16, 2025
- DeSantis Call for Special Session Rebuffed by Florida Legislature - January 13, 2025
- Florida Eyes Possible Bear Hunt - December 12, 2024