But it does increase the criminal penalties for some election law violations, including “ballot harvesting” or the collection of more than two mail-in ballots by non-family members. Parts of the new law are not going to be enforced by the state due to a recent ruling by Chief U.S. They're also fearful it will be used to target political opponents of the governor. Not on board - That hasn’t assuaged Democrats who debated in opposition to this year’s election bill and remain skeptical about the need for the new election unit. attorney?) The governor gets to select the head of FDLE, but the choice also requires approval from two of the three members of the Florida Cabinet. (Which is about to get new management… an ambitious former U.S. In the end, the GOP-controlled Legislature declined to place sworn law enforcement investigators directly under Lee’s control and instead put ten of the new positions in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Tweaked - The governor did not get exactly what he wanted from the Legislature.
(Her office has declined to go into much detail about this but has acknowledged them.) Lee and DeSantis said such an audit wasn’t needed, but Lee herself became the target of threats. Some context - DeSantis proposed this new election crimes unit at a time when he - as well as Lee - were coming under pressure from corners of the Republican Party in the state who wanted the same kind of full-blown “forensic” audit that had occurred in Arizona in response to the false stolen-election claims coming from former President Donald Trump. The budget he will sign (let’s assume sometime in late May) includes enough money ($2.6 million) to pay for 25 positions with the new effort. DeSantis signed the bill at a sports bar called “Rookies” in Pasco County amid a receptive crowd and lots of fellow Republicans. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill into law creating a new election police - officially called the “Office of Election Crimes and Security" - that will be responsible for looking into voter fraud accusations and other violations of election law. All guests were asked to follow the current CDC guidelines.Get that resume ready - Well, Secretary of State Laurel Lee can officially hang up the "help wanted" sign.ĭoes that come with a badge? - Florida Gov. There were extra sanitation stations in place and masks were also given out. and the Tampa Pride 2021 Diversity Parade took place from 4 p.m. The Tampa Pride Street Festival kicked off at 10:45 a.m. “I make sure we’re always a part of the gay community and we’re here for them, to have a safe place and celebrate.”
#Tampa gay pride 2021 free#
“I have gay children so I make sure I show my support, free mom hugs for everyone,” Lawson said.
She’s gone to every Pride festival and parade in Tampa, and now she wants people to know that her business is supportive as well. Lis Lawson is the owner of Cerealholic Cafe and Bar in Ybor City, which just opened in January. Many business owners have also looked forward to this day. “It’s important for us to unify and be together and show our strength,” he said. Russel Mania performed in his first Pride Festival, but for him, the overall event was much bigger. “It’s very special, our supportive friends, and we just got married,” Camacho said.
Suerene Camacho came up from Naples with her wife and friends.