Florida Republicans who once supported Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political agenda are now taking steps to rein him in as he approaches the end of his final term. Lawmakers have passed measures to limit the governor’s powers, including restrictions on his ability to transport migrants and the prohibition of using taxpayer dollars for political campaigns on constitutional amendments. They have also been scrutinizing the governor’s vetoes and spending decisions.
An influential House Republican has criticized some agencies in the DeSantis administration for inefficiency, prompting the Legislature to take a more active role in overseeing the executive branch. Lawmakers have grilled agency heads about their use of taxpayer dollars, including concerns about out-of-state employees and travel expenses.
Legislators have introduced bills targeting where agency heads live, how fast they implement laws, and increasing transparency in government operations. The Senate unanimously voted to speed up the implementation of legislation by state agencies. Democratic lawmakers have welcomed the changes, noting a shift in the political landscape where the Legislature is asserting its independence from the governor’s office.
The rift between DeSantis and the GOP-dominated Legislature signifies a significant change in Florida’s political ecosystem, where the governor no longer has unwavering support for his agenda. Lawmakers are now focused on reining in executive powers and increasing accountability within the administration. This newfound resistance from Republicans could pose challenges for DeSantis as he seeks to pass his preferred policies in his final years as governor.
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