Florida State Guard abuse allegations, election crimes office issues 1,500 criminal referrals, New College faculty depart in droves, and more...
July 21, 2023 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Here’s the latest from Florida…
Revived Florida State Guard faces allegations of abuse, becoming militaristic
![DVIDS - Images - Florida National Guard Assists Florida State Guard with Water Survival Training Exercise [Image 7 of 7]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!32wB!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F567ea60c-3254-414b-8611-c63621044d80_1000x667.jpeg "DVIDS - Images - Florida National Guard Assists Florida State Guard with Water Survival Training Exercise [Image 7 of 7]")
Gov. Ron DeSantis' plan to revive the Florida State Guard has encountered public criticism following an investigation by the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald reported veterans resigning over abuse and what they perceive as militialike training. In June, the first class of recruits arrived at Camp Blanding, expecting to join a nonmilitary State Guard focused on helping Floridians during emergencies, such as natural disasters. However, unbeknownst to volunteers, they were instead trained for combat and were forced to shave their facial hair, wear camouflage uniforms, and undergo military-style drills. Some veterans raised concerns about the program becoming too militaristic and ultimately quit. One disabled retired Marine Corps captain featured in the story reported being assaulted by Florida National Guard instructors after questioning the program's leadership. When DeSantis announced his plan to resurrect the State Guard for the first time since the end of World War II, he emphasized the need for a civilian disaster response force in helping Floridians during emergencies, but critics say that it has deviated from its original mission. They argue it has devolved into a militia more focused on assisting law enforcement with quelling riots and illegal immigration with police powers and authorization to carry firearms. Major General John D. Haas, who oversees the State Guard, defended the volunteer service amid dissatisfaction by some trainees, saying that the departures were “expected with any course that demands rigor and discipline.” The governor’s office hasn’t addressed the reports. The program is now on its third leader in eight months, and there are concerns about the direction, lack of defined objectives, and the overall mission of the force.
Florida’s election crimes office issued nearly 1,500 criminal referrals in first year
In its first year of operation, the Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security issued nearly 1,479 criminal referrals, resulting in 13 felony convictions, according to Gov. DeSantis' administration. Another 32 criminal referrals have led to arrests or warrants being issued. The controversial office, established last year, gained attention when 20 felons were charged with illegally voting during the 2020 elections after unlawfully registering to vote. Additionally, the state election crimes office issued fines to 39 organizations that focus on voter registration. Critics, mainly Democrats, argue that the office is designed to intimidate minority voters and dissuade them from casting ballots. Meanwhile, DeSantis defended the office, stating that it aims to “ensure Florida is a national leader in conducting fair and secure elections” and achieves this goal by holding violators accountable. In the current budget that took effect July 1, the Legislature gave the agency a modest increase of $1.4 million, which was up from $1.2 million last year.
New College of Florida overhaul results in mass faculty departures
As part of an effort by the governor to transform New College of Florida into a more conservative institution has led to significant changes, including the appointment of six new trustees by DeSantis and the firing of the school’s former president. But the challenges for the small liberal arts college are mounting as it faces a significant exodus of faculty members, with more than one-third of its teachers not returning in the fall. With 94 full-time teachers, New College will see 36 faculty departures in a single year which Provost Bradley Thiessen said is "ridiculously high.” A number of the departures were planned retirements or sabbaticals, but other teachers and researchers are choosing to leave due to frustrations with the school's new leadership. The wave of departures has left the school scrambling to fill vacancies, with some departments shrinking to just one faculty member. As the fall semester approaches, the school is actively recruiting visiting faculty members to address the staffing challenges. The unprecedented turnover is posing problems for the institution and its students, with fewer course offerings and disruption to academic plans. The shrinking course catalog has forced some students to put their degrees on hold due to the unavailability of upper-year courses. New College has worked to fill the gap by recruiting ten new visiting faculty and negotiations are underway for another six positions.
AAA will not renew some insurance policies in Florida
One week after Farmers Insurance revealed that they would discontinue new auto, home, and umbrella insurance policies in Florida, AAA announced that they also will not be renewing a “very small percentage” of homeowners and auto policies. Citing the cost in reinsurance rates in hurricane-prone Florida after last year’s devastating season, AAA is making the decision to limit their exposure, following in the lead of other insurance companies despite legislative reforms. The number of affected policies is unknown, but the company said they were “higher exposure” policies underwritten by Auto Club Insurance Company of Florida that bundle homeowners and auto insurance together. However, despite their decision not to renew some existing policies, AAA said they will continue to write new home and auto policies. Affected policyholders have been notified and can apply for auto coverage from AAA's sister carrier, Auto Club South Insurance.
DeSantis spends $15M toward immigration crackdown efforts
Gov. DeSantis has spent at least $15.2 million in the first half of this year as part of his efforts to combat “illegal migration,” utilizing a $500 million state fund designated for emergencies. The exact cost of DeSantis' immigration initiatives remains unclear, but records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald provide insight into the Republican governor's use of state resources to address the immigration issue, which has been a focal point to his presidential campaign and a leading concern in Republican politics. The expenses include $4.5 million supporting the Florida National Guard's response to a state of emergency related to the unauthorized mass migration of Cubans and Haitians to the Florida Keys and parts of south Florida, and $10.7 million for another state of emergency declared in 2021 to address the "Biden Border Crisis." The Florida Division of Emergency Management, which oversees the response, said the tax dollars supported the cost of sending Florida National Guard personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and dispatching guardsmen to the Florida Keys to respond to the state’s own illegal mass migration crisis. The latter state of emergency was declared in January as hundreds of migrants landed on the beaches of the Keys and south Florida and then extended for an additional 60 days on June 30. Last month, $3.3 million was spent to send up to 650 state National Guard troops to the southern border after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requested assistance from other states to enhance border security. The $15 million spent toward thwarting immigration is part of the $500 million Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund approved by the state legislature in 2022 to give the governor unchecked spending authority when he declares an emergency. The fund was originally conceived to allow for a swift response to repair infrastructure or remove debris in the aftermath of a natural disaster. The DeSantis administration asked lawmakers for access to $1 billion in funds. Critics question the need for such substantial funds without proper oversight, while DeSantis defends the use of state resources to address what he deems as “failed” federal immigration policies.
No more ‘woke’ in the military: DeSantis unveils his plan
Gov. DeSantis, a former Navy officer, unveiled his plans to reform the U.S. military, which he believes has become too "woke" with its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He criticized the military's use of electric vehicles and voiced opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate that led to over 8,400 troops being discharged for non-compliance. If elected, DeSantis pledged to offer these military members the chance to return to their positions with back pay. This is the Republican governor’s second official policy rollout since launching his campaign after he announced his immigration plan in June. Among the proposed changes to strip “woke” out of the military, DeSantis aims to prohibit transgender personnel from serving under their preferred gender identity, stop funding for climate change initiatives, and remove diversity and inclusion programs from recruitment efforts. He says the changes are needed to ensure a military that prioritizes lethality, readiness, and capability to deter the threats of China’s increased aggressiveness and militaristic investment.
Truck drivers’ strike over Florida immigration law falters
Truck drivers across the state planned to go on strike on July 1 in protest to Florida’s new immigration law, but the social media-organized effort was unsuccessful. In the weeks leading up to the proposed strike, which would temporarily halt deliveries to and from the state, social media buzzed with messages and videos from truck drivers threatening to boycott Florida, including Latino drivers in other states. However, when July 1 arrived, the demonstration didn't happen as expected. Why? Some drivers cited financial constraints with losing a day of work and the fact that many do not own their trucks as reasons for not participating. The controversial new law, which has been criticized for unfairly targeting immigrants, restricts local governments from issuing IDs to individuals without legal permanent status, invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses for those unable to prove lawful residency, and establishes strict penalties for transporting undocumented individuals into the state. It also expands the E-Verify work verification process to businesses with 25 or more employees with steep fines for violators and mandates hospitals receiving Medicaid ask patient’s about their immigration status. While the boycott may not have achieved the intended economic impact, it succeeded in raising awareness about the law on a national level with truckers taking to social media to voice their concerns. Florida is home to over 1.8 million immigrants, comprising 11% of the state's total labor force, as per a KFF Health News analysis of the 2021 U.S. Census. Notably, these immigrants play a significant role in specific sectors, with 37% contributing to agriculture and 23% to construction industries.
DeSantis campaign spends big since launch, maintains $12M on hand
Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign reported having $12.2 million in cash on hand heading into July, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The DeSantis campaign hopes the sizable sum will help the candidate regain momentum in his pursuit to defeat former President Donald Trump as the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. While DeSantis raised $20 million in the first five weeks of its launch, he also spent $7.8 million during that time period, averaging around $1.5 million per week. Over $8 million of the fundraising total came within the first 24 hours after DeSantis announced his candidacy and one-third of the $20 million was raised in the first ten days of the campaign. Records show that expenses in the first six weeks included over $890,000 on payroll and benefits and another $845,000 on travel expenses, which involves a private jet that the governor prefers to use. The DeSantis campaign has also spent $900,000 on merchandise, $883,000 on digital consulting, $867,000 on ad placements, and $730,000 on direct mailers. However, the Republican governor’s financial backing is further bolstered by the pro-DeSantis Super PAC, Never Back Down, which recently announced raising $130 million, including a substantial $80 million contribution from the governor's Florida-based campaign account. Despite facing financial challenges and stagnate poll numbers, DeSantis remains focused on building support in early primary states like Iowa, aiming for a long-game strategy in the race.
DeSantis makes staffing cuts on presidential campaign
Florida Governor and Republican presidential contender Ron DeSantis is making staffing cuts in his campaign less than two months after launching his bid for the White House. Facing challenges in drawing level to former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary race, the DeSantis campaign cut fewer than 10 paid staffers involved in event planning to reduce operating expenses and navigate likely financial pressures. These staff members may join a pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down instead. The move comes as the Republican governor has positioned himself as the strongest alternative to Trump, but has struggled to gain momentum in the polls and faces continued questions about his policy beliefs and political aptitude. Trump himself has expressed confidence in his lead over DeSantis and even hinted that he may not participate in the upcoming debate. The staffing changes are part of an effort to also restrategize its focus on winning Iowa's caucuses as the DeSantis campaign recognizes a clear victory in the opening primary contest is key to stopping Trump's dominance. The layoffs suggest that the campaign may have hired too many staffers in the early stages of the campaign and could be facing fundraising headwinds despite having raised more money than other Republican candidates.
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi arrives to Inter Miami
Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, has been officially introduced as the newest player for Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team owned by another soccer star, David Beckham. Fans braved heavy rain to fill the stadium to witness the unveiling ceremony, where Messi was presented with his iconic No. 10 jersey. The signing of Messi is a significant milestone for MLS and Inter Miami, which has been eagerly awaiting his arrival. The team, currently struggling in the MLS standings, hopes that Messi's talent and star power will help turn their season around. The event marked the beginning of Messi’s career with Inter Miami as he prepares for his first training session and a potential debut match this week. With Messi’s arrival, MLS Commissioner Don Garber sees it as a testament to the league's growth and its appeal to top-tier players. The star player’s decision to join Inter Miami has not only generated excitement among fans, it is seen as an opportunity to elevate the sport of soccer in the United States.
DeSantis speaks out on Trump’s actions during January 6 Capitol riots
Making his strongest criticism yet of former President Donald Trump's actions on January 6, DeSantis, while campaigning in South Carolina, faced questions about recent news of Trump's legal troubles surrounding the Capitol insurrection. He criticized Trump for not acting forcefully during the January 6 riot but defended him against potential criminal charges, arguing against the "politicization" of the justice system. “[Trump] was in the White House and didn’t do anything while things were going on,” DeSantis said of the former president. “He should have come out more forcefully, of course. But to try to criminalize that, that’s a different issue entirely,” the Florida governor added. He has condemned what he views as the "weaponization of government" in the legal cases against Trump and said the former president had been treated unfairly.
Prized Miami waterfront property receives offers topping $1.23B
The renowned Malaysian casino operator, Genting Bhd., has been presented with four enticing offers for its prized undeveloped Miami waterfront property, which has once been conceptualized as the location for a multibillion-dollar resort. The bids have been impressive, with one offer even surpassing $1.23 billion. The broker handling the sale stated that the offers have not wavered and consistently exceed the initial $1.225 billion price point. The 15.5-acre site, previously home to the Miami Herald building, stands as one of the largest undeveloped areas of the city's waterfront. Genting acquired the property in 2011 for approximately $236 million, with plans to build a casino there.
19-foot Burmese python is largest ever caught in Florida
A group of snake hunters in Big Cypress National Preserve have captured the largest Burmese python ever caught in the state. The enormous snake measured 19 feet in length and weighed 125 pounds, while the previous record for the largest python in Florida was 18 feet 9 inches. The hunters struggled with the snake for about three minutes before successfully capturing it. They donated the snake to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for measurement and documentation, hoping to contribute to scientific research on the invasive species. The record-breaking find highlights the ongoing issue of Burmese pythons in the Everglades and their negative impact on the ecosystem due to their ability to reproduce quickly and prey upon native wildlife.
Billionaire Ken Griffin purchases $83M Palm Beach property
The state’s richest person, Ken Griffin, the hedge-fund billionaire CEO of Citadel Advisors LLC. has made a splash in Florida real estate since making headlines last June that he was moving his company’s Chicago headquarters to Miami. Last summer, Griffin purchased a 28-story office building for $286.5 million and added to his commercial portfolio with two adjacent properties along Brickell Avenue for $20 million. Then in September, Griffin purchased a $106-million waterfront estate that shattered the record in Miami, giving the billionaire investor residential and commercial real estate holdings in South Florida that total more than $1.3 billion purchased within a decade. Now, Griffin has made another significant real estate move by recently acquiring a property on Palm Beach's prestigious Worth Avenue for a whopping $83 million. The property is situated next to a former Neiman Marcus store, which Griffin's firm purchased for $78 million last year with plans to transform it into an office space. Griffin boasts an estimated fortune of nearly $37 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Ultra-low-cost Canadian airline announces nonstop flights from Tampa
Tampa International Airport has announced that Canadian airline Lynx Air will begin offering low-cost flights to Toronto and Montreal starting in November. Lynx Air, a new "ultra-low-cost" carrier based in Calgary, will connect Tampa to its 16th destination and fifth city in the U.S. The flights to Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal-Pierre Trudeau International Airport will operate four times a week, beginning November 16 and 17 respectively. Prices for the flights will begin at $99 one-way, and the airline is running a promotional offer of 25% off using the promo code TAMPA. Lynx Air will be the 21st passenger carrier operating out of Tampa and the third airline dedicated to providing flights to Canada.
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