As of May "Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate tucked an unprecedented almost $16 million into the state’s $117 billion budget for litigation costs to defend policies DeSantis just advanced or to cover battles already underway, like his yearlong clash with the Walt Disney Company. "
The author is unable to find additional sources for ligitation since this article.
Source: Tallahassee Democrat
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has cast himself as a Trump-like conservative who's better at getting things done, but many of the state laws DeSantis touts as his biggest accomplishments are on hold, mired in court challenges.
The big picture: DeSantis and his state are facing a swarm of lawsuits challenging his policies aimed at abortion, trans rights, drag shows, voting by felons, discussion of racial issues in schools and more.
- As the backlash to DeSantis' policies plays out in Florida his presidential campaign is struggling and undergoing a reboot, even as his chief GOP competitor, former President Trump, is being swamped with criminal indictments.
- And while DeSantis continues to emphasize his "anti-woke" record in Florida, a solid majority of Republican voters — 67% — view Trump as more likely to "get things done," according to a New York Times/Siena College poll last month.
Zoom in: Many aspects of DeSantis' far-right cultural agenda passed by Florida lawmakers are under assault in the courts.
- The "Stop WOKE Act" — which aims to ban classroom discussion and corporate training that makes students or employees feel discomfort over their race — was partially blocked by a federal judge on the grounds that it could harm higher education.
- In June, a federal judge temporarily blocked a law that would allow the state to penalize businesses that allow children to attend "adult live performances" such as drag shows. LGBTQ activists and other critics say the law stifles free speech.
- Another judge struck down the state's ban on Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming health care in June, ruling that it amounted to "invidious discrimination" and was politically motivated.
- That judge also partially blocked enforcement of two state bans on gender-affirming care for trans youths.
- Disney, one of Florida's largest employers, sued the governor as part of a years-long feud over a law dubbed "Don't Say Gay" by its critics. Disney alleged the state's actions toward the company amount to a "targeted campaign" of government retaliation.
- DeSantis was sued in July by a voting rights group in Florida, which alleges his administration violated the Voting Rights Act by intimidating former felons who tried to vote in 2020.
- DeSantis' six-week abortion ban, which he signed into law in April, is on hold until the Florida Supreme Court rules on legal challenges to the current 15-week ban.
Source: Axios
DO NOT STAND for THIS. Contact your Florida Legislators