The aftermath of DeSantis’ migrant flights, lawsuit filed against governor, Tropical Storm Ian, and more…

September 22, 2022 — This Week’s Top Stories in Florida

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Here’s what is happening in Florida…

Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post via Getty Images

The aftermath of DeSantis’ migrant flights to Martha’s Vineyard

We learned more information this week about Governor Ron DeSantis’ organized migrant flights to Martha’s Vineyard that occurred last Wednesday. Using $12 million set aside in the state budget for a migrant “relocation program,” Gov. DeSantis sent two planes of about 50 undocumented migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the affluent, liberal Massachusetts island that is a popular vacation destination among celebrities and politicians. The money stemmed from earned interest from federal COVID-19 relief dollars appropriated to Florida and the Legislature approved the funds to “facilitate the transport of unauthorized aliens from [the] state.” The action taken by the governor was a protest to the Biden administration’s “reckless” border control policies. The planes originated out of Texas and officials identified migrants interested in relocating to Florida and offered them free transportation to sanctuary states instead. DeSantis said the migrants onboard those flights to Martha’s Vineyard were “volunteers” that had signed “waivers” and were provided information packets about their destination. Payment amounting to more than $1.5 million has been made to a charter flight company, Vertol Systems Company Inc., that has ties to an advisor within the DeSantis administration. The Oregon-based transport company also made monetary contributions to political allies of the governor, including Congressman Matt Gaetz and State Rep. Jay Trumbull Jr. of Panama City, that pushed for funding of the “relocation program” as Appropriations Committee Chair.

Several reports indicate confusion among the migrants flown from the southern border to the Massachusetts island, with some stating that they felt like they were “kidnapped” and other migrants unclear of where they had been transported. Lawyers representing the group confirmed the lack of information issued by DeSantis administration officials and accused them of luring the undocumented men, women, and children under false pretenses. The arrival came as a surprise to Massachusetts officials and local leaders on Martha’s Vineyard as residents scrambled to provide shelter, meals, basic necessities, and health services to the nearly 50 migrants. Shortly after their arrival to Martha’s Vineyard, the immigrants were shuttled to Joint Base Cape Cod, a military base better equipped to provide support services and temporary shelter. More than 100 National Guard members were activated by the state of Massachusetts in response and will aid in case management and general care. It is unclear how long the migrants will remain at Joint Base Cape Cod, but as most of those flown to Massachusetts are asylum-seekers, they will likely be connected with federal agencies who will work to identify long-term, permanent solutions.

State lawmaker sues Gov. DeSantis over migrant relocation

News Service of Florida

Democratic Senator Jason Pizzo of North Miami Beach has filed a lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis following his administration’s actions to relocate nearly 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. Sen. Pizzo accuses the Republican governor of violating the law by using $12 million of state funds to charter planes carrying the undocumented individuals inconsistent with statutory language. The lawsuit filed in the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County argues since the flight originated in Texas and not Florida, it does not match budgetary language requiring aliens be “from this state,” meaning Florida. Pizzo is asking the court to invalidate the statute by deeming it unconstitutional or barring the DeSantis administration from transporting additional migrants from states other than Florida. DeSantis’ communication director responded to the legal filing stating, “Sen. Pizzo never misses an opportunity for his 15 minutes of fame and is challenging an action on an appropriation he voted for.” This is the second legal challenge levied against the governor for transporting migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. On September 20, a Boston-based civil rights law firm representing many of the migrants sued Gov. DeSantis by filing a federal class action lawsuit. That legal challenge accuses DeSantis officials of lying to migrants with false guarantees of jobs and support services.

Tropical Storm Ian forms, could impact Florida next week

NOAA via National Hurricane Center

Floridians and meteorologists are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Ian that formed in the Caribbean, directly south of the Dominican Republic. Forecast models show the system to strength as it moves westward across the central Caribbean before turning north and heading for Florida. The National Hurricane Center expects the tropical storm to strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in Florida next week. The storm is estimated to cross over western Cuba prior to entering the Gulf of Mexico, where it will continue a northern trajectory toward the Gulf Coast of Florida. Current models are less precise this far out, but it shows the category 3 hurricane to strike southwest Florida on Wednesday morning. Floridians are being reminded to begin making hurricane preparations now and to continue monitoring forecasts on the storm’s latest track. The Atlantic Ocean remains active with several storms circulating far off Florida’s east coast. Hurricane Fiona is set to impact parts of Canada this weekend after delivering heavy winds, rain, and damage to Puerto Rico. Invest 99L, Tropical Storm Hermine, and Tropical Storm Gaston remain out in the Atlantic Ocean, closer to the African continent. These systems pose no risk to Florida at this time.

Democratic lawmakers challenge DeSantis on use of state funds for migrant flights

Gov. DeSantis has been met with fierce criticism across the nation regarding his action to send two planes full of undocumented migrants to Martha’s Vineyard last week. While many questions remained unanswered in the aftermath of the flights, critics called it “unethical,” “illegal,” and some called for an investigation, including Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Joining the outcry are many Democratic state lawmakers who are challenging Gov. DeSantis on the use of the money with regard to the statutory limitations outlined in Florida’s 2022 General Appropriations Act. Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book is seeking answers from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on details about the $12 million allocated as part of the state’s “relocation program.” Sen. Book sent a letter to FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue asking for answers, including the “authority or legal opinion” used to allow state dollars to be spent on flying migrants from Texas and whether an FDOT employee promised undocumented individuals they would be granted expedited work permits upon relocating, as alleged. The Senate leader rebuked the DeSantis administration for treating the group as “political pawns” and added that the “partisan stunt appear[s] to violate Florida law.” Democratic Sen. Lori Berman of Delray Beach questioned if “budget provisions” were followed, mentioning that the migrants originated from Texas — not Florida — and whether the Department of Transportation bid the proposal out to at least two vendors as mandated in the statutory language. Republican lawmakers have stayed out of the political fray, except for Sen. Jeff Brandes, who tweeted a screenshot of language from the state’s budget with the words, “aliens from this state” highlighted. DeSantis’ Democratic opponent in the governor’s race, Charlie Crist, called the Republican governor’s actions “immoral” and floated the idea that it may have also been “illegal.” He also filed a Sunshine Law request for internal communication regarding DeSantis’ decision.

DeSantis v. Biden on migrant flights to Martha’s Vineyard

Governor DeSantis’ chartered flights to the wealthy Massachusetts enclave of Martha’s Vineyard was directed as a sharp rebuke of President Joe Biden and his “weak immigration and border policies” that is doing little to stop the influx of illegal immigrants to the United States. Rather than risk these undocumented migrants coming to Florida, DeSantis opted to send these mostly Venezuelan citizens to sanctuary jurisdictions that have embraced pro-immigration policies for illegal aliens. “What we are continuing to do is use every tool at our disposal to help with the negative border policies,” the governor said at a press conference last week. “We want to make sure that taxpayers are not having to foot tens of thousands or thousands of people coming in illegally and that’s the way to do it,” he added. President Biden responded to the attacks by going after Republican leaders. “Instead of working with us on solutions, Republicans are playing politics with human beings, using them as props,” Biden said. “What they’re doing is simply wrong. It’s un-American, it’s reckless and we have a process in place to manage migrants at the border.” Furthering the discourse, the Florida governor threatened to send migrants to President Biden’s home state of Delaware this week, continuing to put the spotlight on Biden’s immigration policies. Amid these threats, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said DeSantis’ goal is to “create chaos and [use] immigrants fleeing communism as political pawns. So it’s about creating political theater for him. It’s not about getting to a solution.”

Governor says more planes and busses of migrants are planned

Sanctuary states and cities should expect more planes and buses of illegal migrants to be sent by the Florida governor as he pledges to take full advantage of the $12 million in the state budget for the relocation program. “I have $12 million for us to use and so we are going to use it and you’re gonna see more and more,” Gov. DeSantis said at a press conference last week. “I’m going to make sure that we exhaust all those funds.” He joins Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey who have both bused migrants from Texas to sanctuary cities like New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and even outside of Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in the nation’s capital. Gov. DeSantis has floated sending additional migrants to Chicago and Hollywood, California, but any sanctuary city could be a possible destination of future relocation efforts. “All we’re trying to do is offer transport to sanctuary jurisdictions, free to the alien, but certainly not mandatory,” DeSantis said. “And that way they’re able to go and these sanctuary jurisdictions can put their money where their mouth is.”

$1.1 billion in tax breaks proposed for next year

via Fox13News.com

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a proposed $1.1 billion package that will deliver family-friendly tax breaks to Floridians next year. DeSantis is pushing for his tax relief proposal for the upcoming 2023 legislative session by asking lawmakers to expand tax holidays and implement permanent tax exemptions on baby and toddler necessities, items such as cribs and strollers, and medical supplies and equipment. This would remove the state’s 6% sales tax that currently exists on such goods for infants such as clothing, shoes, diapers, and wipes. The governor’s proposed tax relief plan also aims to provide a one-year tax exemption on children’s books, toys, and athletic equipment, as well as one-year exemptions for over-the-counter pet medication, pet food, and general household goods under $25. Gov. DeSantis unveiled the plan with nearly seven weeks left until Election Day as critics view the announcement as a political tactic to further bolster his campaign. The state of Florida has billions in reserves, finishing the 2021–22 budget year with $22 billion set aside and more than $13 billion estimated to be leftover for next year, according to economists. Revenue in the Sunshine State has been healthy with low unemployment rates, the influx of federal COVID-19 relief dollars, and increased spending.

DeSantis signs executive order to protect Florida from foreign influence

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on Thursday that aims to shield Floridians and businesses from foreign influence from hostile countries. The executive order restricts “government entities from procuring technologies, commodities, and services from companies owned by, controlled by, or domiciled in foreign countries of concern,” such as China, Iran, Russia, and Cuba. In taking the action, DeSantis said there is a “national security risk” posed by other countries collecting personal data and information, adding that it “should not be in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.” The governor also hinted at proposed legislation that could penalize foreign powers that engage in corporate espionage and threaten Florida’s intellectual property.

Suspended state attorney Andrew Warren’s case will go to trial

The legal battle between ousted Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren and Governor Ron DeSantis will go to trial following a federal judge’s request on Monday. Warren, the twice-elected Democrat state prosecutor, was suspended by DeSantis on August 4 after pledging to not enforce the state’s newly-enacted 15-week abortion ban and vowing to not criminalize transgender minors seeking gender-affirming operations. Warren claims the governor’s action violated his right to free speech. A lawsuit was filed in federal court against Gov. DeSantis weeks after the state attorney was suspended, seeking reinstatement to his office and challenging the governor’s authority to remove elected officials over policy disagreements. This week, Warren asked the federal judge to reinstate him as Hillsborough County’s top prosecutor, but rather than ruling in the case, the judge is requesting the case go to trial. A preliminary ruling is expected by the judge on whether Warren is to be reinstated before a trial date is scheduled. Warren said the legal case against the governor is important to ensure “that no one, not even the governor, can overturn an election,” he said following the hearing. “As the judge said, the governor [has] an opportunity to come in here and to justify what he did. We’re thankful for the opportunity that the court gave us today, and we look forward to the trial where we can win this case, and put me back in the office to continue doing the work that I was elected twice to do.”

DeSantis-appointed sheriff accused of lying, per state ethics commission

via NBCMiami.com

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony, who Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed, was found by the Florida Commission on Ethics to have lied on his job application that he killed another teenager when he was 14 years old. He was also found to have not disclosed his prior use of LSD. The Ethics Commission found “probable cause” that Tony deliberately provided false information about his history to Gov. Ron DeSantis prior to his appointment as sheriff in January 2019. It was revealed in 2020 that Tony was arrested at 14 in Philadelphia for fatally shooting another teenager in “self-defense.” He was charged with murder but was later acquitted in a juvenile court trial. At the time, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony defended his decision not to disclose the 1993 killing on law enforcement job applications because he was a juvenile and said he was cleared of any wrongdoing because it was in “self-defense.” The state panel concluded that Tony “provided false information or did not disclose information during the appointment process for his service as Broward County Sheriff; when completing a notarized Form 68 submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement while serving as Broward County Sheriff,” for his omitted drug use history and homicide arrest. He was also found to have repeatedly concealed details about his history on applications for other law enforcement positions. Now, the accusations involving Tony will be heard in a public hearing and he faces the risk of removal from office by DeSantis if violations are found. Additionally, civil penalties could be recommended including fines of up to $10,000 per violation, according to the ethics commission.

The Broward County sheriff was appointed by Gov. DeSantis following the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland that left 17 students dead. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office was criticized for its handling of reported threats by the perpetrator and inaction by officers responding to the scene. Sheriff Scott Israel was suspended by the governor and was replaced by Gregory Tony as the new Broward County Sheriff.

President Biden’s visit to Orlando; Demings to skip event

President Joe Biden is planning to visit Orlando next week, on September 27, to speak at a Democratic National Committee rally, the White House announced. The event theme is “the choice voters have in the midterms between building an economy that works for working families, and the Republican plan to put Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block,” according to the statement. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist will appear with President Biden in Orlando as he aims to defeat Gov. Ron DeSantis in a consequential battleground state. Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Val Demings is planning to skip the event in her hometown at a time when Biden’s approval numbers and popularity remains low among Americans. The congresswoman will be in Washington, D.C. during Biden’s visit, but the House will not be in session next week. Meanwhile, the campaign of her Republican opponent, Sen. Marco Rubio took fire at Demings’ perceived attempt to distance herself from the president saying, “Val Demings refuses to accept responsibility for the harm she’s caused Florida. Demings’ blind support of Joe Biden and the Democrats’ far left agenda 100% of the time has consistently made Floridians’ lives worse, and no hiding out in Washington is going to change that.” Demings’ absence at an event with President Biden is not atypical for Democratic candidates in battleground states this election cycle, with many failing to appear side-by-side with the president at events and political rallies.

Gov. DeSantis suspends Miami-Dade County commissioner

In an update to our coverage last week regarding Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe Martinez’s arrest late last month on corruption charges, Gov. DeSantis made the unsurprising move to officially suspend the elected official. The governor issued an executive order to oust the South Florida commissioner based on his authority in the state constitution that permits Florida’s chief executive to suspend county officers charged with felony crimes. On August 30, Martinez was charged with unlawful compensations and conspiracy to commit unlawful compensations following accusations of accepting bribes from a business owner in exchange for his support for legislation that would aid the business. A couple of weeks ago, DeSantis commented on the charges leveled against Martinez saying, “there is going to be a new commissioner” and confirmed that he was reviewing proposed replacement candidates for the county board. “Jose Angel Martinez is prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office; from receiving any pay or allowance; and from being entitled to any of the emoluments or privileges of public office during the period of this suspension, which period shall be from today, until further Executive Order is issued, or as otherwise provided by law,” the executive order read. Martinez served in the role from 2000–2012 and then again in 2016 until his suspension on Tuesday. DeSantis has not yet named a commissioner to fill the District 11 seat, but his communications director said an appointment would be made in “the coming weeks.”

Florida posts dismal bar exam passage rate

Aspiring lawyers who took the state’s bar exam for the first time in July contributed to the lowest passage rate for test-takers in several years. The July bar results were published by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners this week, showing a statewide average passing rate of 64.4% for the 2,225 first-time testers. With the most recent test, Florida International University continued its years-long streak of posting the state’s highest passing rate at 81.2%. The University posted the second-best passage rate with 78.7% of students passing the bar exam. While July 2022’s test scores are the lowest in years, since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the passing rate for the Florida Bar Exam was relatively low. Barry University School of Law posted the lowest passage rate among law schools at 49.2%.

Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist goes after DeSantis for power rate hikes

via News Service of Florida

Speaking to a crowd in Pensacola last week, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist attacked his Republican opponent for rising rate increases by power utility’s that are impacting Floridians. Crist put the blame on Gov. DeSantis’ administration, criticizing his failure to reject Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) efforts to seize power and political influence in the state, especially on the Public Service Commission (PSC). The Democrat accused the governor of appointing Commission members friendly to electric utilities and their efforts to increase rates via request to the PSC. FPL and other utility companies filed petitions with the Florida Public Service Commission at the beginning of the month to request a rate increase, citing increased operating and commodity costs.The former Congressman and governor made his remarks from across the street of the former Gulf Power headquarters, which merged with FPL earlier this year and customers in Northwest Florida have since reported skyrocketing rate increases. Crist also announced that he would rollout a new effort called “Take Back Your Power Plan” to restrict future rate hikes by power utilities. “My message to the Panhandle is this — under Ron DeSantis your rates go through the roof, and FPL gets whatever they want,” Crist said. “Under Charlie Crist your rates come down.”

25,000+ invasive lionfish removed during state challenge

During Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) three-month annual Lionfish Challenge, 25,299 invasive lionfish were removed from the state’s surrounding waters. About 200 divers took part in the challenge, searching and extracting the lionfish across 676 trips as part of FWC’s seventh annual challenge. Lionfish are an invasive species of venomous fish native to the Indo-pacific that have been growing in numbers in Florida’s waters, posing a threat to native fish and habitat. The statewide challenge rewards recreational and commercial divers and anglers who catch and kill the exotic predators from May 20 to September 6. Last year, a total of 21,146 lionfish were brought in by divers with 2022’s numbers the highest since 2018.

Derek Jeter and Tom Brady’s former Tampa mansion to be demolished

via Pacific Coast News

The 22,000-square-foot mansion that was once the former home of New York Yankees baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and served as football legend Tom Brady’s residence in 2020 is set to be demolished. According to city records, a commercial demolition permit was filed for the 7-bedroom, 16-bathroom waterfront property on Davis Island in Tampa sold by Jeter last year for $22.5 million. It was the most expensive home sale in Tampa Bay in 2021 and is also one of Tampa’s largest private residences, sitting on 1.25 acres of land. The custom mansion was built in 2011 by MLB star Derek Jeter where he and his family lived for several years before moving to South Florida. When quarterback Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, he began renting the mansion from Jeter for one year. The home was originally purchased for $15.5 million in 2012.

St. Pete Beach’s Hotel Zamora sells for $34.7M

The stylish Mediterranean luxury boutique Hotel Zamora in St. Pete Beach has sold to a real estate investor and developer in Minnesota for $34.7 million. The four-story hotel opened in 2014, featuring 72 rooms, a 360-degree rooftop bar and lounge, and views of the inter-coastal waterway. With a Mediterranean and Spanish-influenced architectural flair, the hotel became one of the first new hotels to open in St. Pete Beach in decades, just north of the historic Don CeSar Hotel. Hotel Zamora previously sold for $14.5 million in 2016.