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Florida Police Leaders Praise Ron DeSantis’ Budget for First Responders

Matt OHern
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Florida Police Leaders Praise Ron DeSantis’ Budget for First Responders

Sheriffs, police chiefs, and law enforcement organization executives are praising several items in the state’s budget recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Known as the “Framework for Freedom Budget, the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year budget includes $20 million for a second round of $5,000 recruitment bonuses for law enforcement officers new to the profession or relocating from other states. Additionally, the budget provides $110 million to provide one-time recognition bonuses for eligible local first responders, and nearly $100 million to boost pay for Correctional and Probation Officers.

Hernando County Sheriff and Florida Sheriffs Association President, Al Nienhuis credited the budget for providing more resources to provide the most ideal candidates for law enforcement careers. “Governor DeSantis’ steadfast support for law enforcement in the Framework for Freedom Budget is remarkable, and we don’t take that support for granted,” Nienhuis said . “Not only is great and common-sense policy being established for public safety, but this budget will also provide the sheriffs and our law enforcement partners with the tools necessary to find and hire the right people. Those people will, in turn, work hard to keep our streets safe and maintain an environment where all Floridians and visitors can feel safe.”

Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) President and Fellsmere Police Department Chief Keith Touchberry highlighted the value of the bonuses and additional incentives for recruitment. “The Florida Police Chiefs Association applauds Governor DeSantis’s commitment to public safety with new funding for the First Responder Recognition Payments Program and officer recruitment incentives,” Touchberry said “These programs are making a difference, and Florida is a leader in public safety due to Governor DeSantis’ steadfast support of our law enforcement officers. His Framework for Freedom Budget is proof positive that Governor DeSantis will always back the blue.”

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who is nationally known for his candid interviews with the media, noted the distinction between Florida’s priorities for law enforcement compared to other states that are decreasing funds.

“While there are states still de-funding the police, Governor DeSantis once again has proven his remarkable leadership to keep all the people in the State of Florida safe and continue the strongest support of law enforcement officers who stand in the gap between good and evil,” said Judd.

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast noted the importance of the extra funding to combat opioid drug distribution across the state. “In addition to fighting to keep Florida families safe, Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget includes more than $20.7 million in investments toward law enforcement efforts to combat the crippling opioid epidemic affecting all of Florida’s communities and families,” Prendergast said. “The budget also includes a continuation of a critical Governor DeSantis initiative to provide $5,000 bonus payments to new eligible law enforcement officers joining the profession. Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for your support to the thin blue line family.”

Don Davis, Warden of Florida State Prison, insisted that DeSantis’ commitment to corrections.

“As someone who has worked in the Florida Department of Corrections for 37 years, I have never seen such a positive impact as the one brought by Governor DeSantis,” Davis said. “Under his leadership, the department has received unprecedented support for better pay and recognition, and our agency is on the road to restoration. Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ dedication to increasing law enforcement funding, we are now safer and better equipped to serve the public, staff, and inmates. I am grateful for the Governor’s unwavering support for public safety, and I am proud to commend his exceptional contributions to the Florida Department of Corrections.”

Steve Zona, President of the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, credit Florida’s reduction in crime to the governor’s bonus program for first responders.

“Florida is enjoying record low crime levels, and this is not on accident. It is because of the leadership and investments made by Governor Ron DeSantis,” Zona said . “There are substantial pay increases across the board for all of law enforcement and investments in technology that help us all to be more efficient and successful. The first responder recognition payments and the recruiting bonuses continues to make Florida the model for others to follow. We are fortunate in Florida that we have a Governor who backs up every word that comes out of his mouth and stands with law enforcement every single day. Thank you is not enough.”

Orlando is Becoming Florida’s Version of Austin

Matt OHern
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Orlando is Becoming Florida’s Version of Austin

For decades, Austin, Texas has been described as a dark blue spot in a red state. No single influence can explain the capital city’s dramatic difference from the majority of Texas’ politics, but several factors are obvious. Those factors include a heavy influx of ex-Californians relocating to Austin, state workers comprising a significant proportion of the city’s overall workforce, and a high concentration of college students and residents who are younger than the state average, with an average median age of 33 among Austin residents.

Two of those three factors sound very familiar to residents of Orlando and the rest of Orange County, Florida. Like Austin, the Orlando metro area includes the University of Central Florida, which is among the nation’s largest universities, with more than 60,000 undergraduates currently enrolled. Of all 67 counties in Florida, Orange County is the fifth-youngest, with an average median age of 36, and the city of the Orlando is the fifth-youngest city in the state, with an average median age of 34.

Many Californians have moved to Florida, with Orlando being the city that has received the majority of of the transplants. As a result of those factors, Orange County was one of only five counties that Gov. Ron DeSantis didn’t win in his record-breaking landslide win over Charlie Crist in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election. Two of the other four counties were counties that are homes to major colleges. Alachua County is home to the University of Florida. Leon County is home to Florida State University, as well as state employees in the capital city of Tallahassee, so it was no surprise to see those counties maintain their dark shade of blue.

Democrats have a sizable lead of more than 140,000 voters over Republicans in Orange County, (home of Orlando), but Republicans in the county are also outranked by independent voters. For more perspective, consider that in the 2004 Presidential Election, the Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate John Kerry won Orange County by less than one percent over then incumbent President George W. Bush.

In the next Presidential Election in 2008, then Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama won Orange County by 18.7%. In 2012, Obama won Orange County by nearly the exact same percentage, at 18.3% over Republican candidate, Mitt Romney.

In 2016, Donald Trump didn’t fare much better than his Republican predecessors in the Orlando area, and he lost Orange County to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton by double digits (13.6%), despite winning the state as a whole. In the most recent Presidential election, Democratic candidate Joe Biden defeated then incumbent President Donald Trump by 37%.

At the state and federal level, representatives for Orlando are known as some of the most extreme left in their respective house delegations. Anna Eskamani, a state representative, has supported legislation that would give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. She has also blamed mass shootings on toxic masculinity. Eskamani defended Orlando Plaza Live after Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a 6-count complaint against the venue through Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, arguing that the venue had exposed children to obscene sexual acts after it was disclosed that the venue hosted a performance for children where characters simulated masturbation and other sexual acts, all with children in the viewing audience.She is also regularly rated among the most liberal representatives of the state. Eskamani was a driving force for the ultimate success of Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a self-described socialist who supports gun bans. Frost, who has no professional work history other than driving for Uber, was the first member of Generation Z to be elected to congress. Orlando voters chose him over a decorated veteran of US Army Special Forces who served in combat roles in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Results in the ballot box tell only part of the story. The Orlando area is arguably the 2nd-most socially liberal city in the state, just behind Miami. Mayor Buddy Dyer, who has been in office for the past 19 years, has consistently supported left-of-center efforts and events. The downtown area has one of the highest concentration of LGBTQ residents in the state. Orlando has championed LGBTQ+ tourism for the past two decades, according to VisitOrlando.com.

As recently as 2021, Orlando was named GayCities.com’s first-ever “City of the Year” after it earned a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, which measures how inclusive a city’s laws, policies and services are toward LGBTQ people who reside and work in the city. Mayor Dyer also touts the city’s LGBTQ programs and initiatives, listed on the city of Orlando’s official website.

For the foreseeable future, Orlando, like Austin, will be dark blue spot in an otherwise red state.

Following Missouri Congressman Jason Smith’s Advocacy, Missouri State University-West Plains Awarded $437,000 Workforce Training Grant

Press Release
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Below is a press release from Missouri Congressman Jason Smith.

U.S. Representative Jason Smith (Mo.) announced that Missouri State University-West Plains has received more than $437,000 in grant funding through the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to expand education and training programs that prepare individuals for careers in manufacturing and construction. Smith sent a letter in support of the grant.

“This investment is great news for families, veterans, and small businesses in West Plains,” said Smith. “I’m glad this grant will support Missouri State University-West Plains’ important work to help underrepresented groups in the community – including veterans, high school students, and unemployed or underemployed individuals – gain the skills they need to create a better future for themselves and their families. I’ll continue advocating for policies and programs that create jobs, spur economic development, and expand opportunity in rural areas across southern Missouri.”According to DRA, Missouri State University-West Plains will use the grant funding to engage unemployed or underemployed adults, veterans, high school youth, incumbent workers, and other underrepresented groups through education and career training within the manufacturing and construction sections.

Louisiana Senator Urges Biden to Stop Iran Nuclear Program

Matt OHern
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Louisiana Senator Urges Biden to Stop Iran Nuclear Program

Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy (R) joined Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and 23 other senators in urging President Joe Biden to deter the Iranian regime from achieving nuclear weapons capability. 

In their letter to Biden, the team of concerned senators stated that Iran is currently capable of enriching uranium to the 90% weapons-grade level at a time of its choosing. They also highlighted speculation from Biden-appointed Sec. of Defense, Colin Kahl, who said that Iran could enrich enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb in as little as 12 days

“It is imperative today that we strengthen our efforts to deter Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability,” the Senators wrote. “We must make Iran understand, in no uncertain terms, that further advances in its nuclear program will be met with unified international action. Iran simply cannot be allowed to advance its nuclear program with impunity and the PRC cannot be given a pass for accelerating Iran’s destabilizing behavior. We urge you to restore this posture of deterrence and provide leadership to strengthen the resolve of the international community,.“Given the state of the Iranian nuclear program, we encourage you to secure the commitment of our allies to implement the snapback mechanism embedded in U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 should Iran advance its program past the weapons-grade threshold. Such a move would squeeze Iran’s revenue sources and serve notice that Iran cannot continue to reap the benefits of international sanctions relief while progressing towards the development of a nuclear weapon,” the Senators concluded.

The letter was co-authored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Ind.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Dan Sullivan (R-Ark.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Background of Iran and U.S. Nuclear agreement

Despite opposition from his own party as well as Israel, former President Barack Obama signed a nuclear agreement with Iran in 2015, despite opposition from his own party and Middle East Ally, Israel. Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer, Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, opposed the deal. that placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Critics said the restrictions weren’t sufficient due to the lack of an ability to enforce the restrictions.

In 2018, former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal. Trump claimed it failed to curtail Iran’s missile program and regional influence. Iran began ignoring limitations on its nuclear program a year later.

Two years after Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, Tehran has cut in half the time it would need to produce enough weapons-grade fuel for a nuclear bomb.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Launches Nearly $200 Million in School Safety Grants

Matt OHern
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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Launches Nearly $200 Million in School Safety Grants

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee invited local law enforcement agencies and schools to apply for nearly $200 million in grant funding to further strengthen security at Tennessee schools. 

The two grant programs include funding to support full-time, armed school resource officers at every public school and make physical security improvements at public and non-public schools across Tennessee. 

“Nothing is more important than making sure that Tennessee students and teachers return home from school safely each day,” Gov. Lee said.. “This year, together with the General Assembly, we made significant investments to secure schools across Tennessee, and we’re now inviting local law enforcement agencies and schools to partner with us by applying for these historic funds.”

Below is an overview of the grants announced by Gov. Lee in an official press release.

Statewide School Resource Officer Grant

The FY23-24 budget includes $140 million to place a full-time, armed SRO at every Tennessee public school. 

Local law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply for a Statewide School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant, not to exceed $75,000 per year, per school for which they are responsible for providing SRO services. Applications are being accepted and reviewed by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security on a rolling basis.

Public & Non-Public School Security Grants

Additionally, the FY23-24 budget dedicates significant one-time funding to strengthen security at Tennessee schools, totaling $40 million for public schools and $14 million for non-public schools. 

The grant funding, administered through the Tennessee Department of Education, can be used to support a variety of school security efforts, including improved physical security, emergency operations planning, violence prevention programs, conflict resolution and safety training for staff members.

Public School Security Grant

Public school security grant applications must demonstrate a connection between requested funding and the vulnerabilities identified in the school’s yearly safety assessment, developed by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Non-Public School Security Grant

Non-public schools must submit an “Intent to Apply” through the Tennessee Department of Education by August 4. Final grant applications are due no later than October 27.

Non-public schools are encouraged to learn more about grant funding and school eligibility here. 

Earlier this year, Gov. Lee urged the state’s Republican-led legislature to pass a gun buyer background check and red flag system for all gun purchases made in the state. Under Lee’s plan, the “order of protection” bill would allow law enforcement to confiscate guns from residents who “pose a danger to themselves or others” if a judge agrees, but no legislators will willing to write the plan into a bill for consideration during the state’s legislative session.

Marsha Blackburn Says Hunter Biden Getting ‘Sweetheart Deal’ from DOJ

Matt OHern
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Marsha Blackburn Says Hunter Biden Getting ‘Sweetheart Deal’ from DOJ

Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn responded to news of Hunter Biden’s plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice. President Biden’s son gained worldwide attention by pleading guilty and avoiding jail time. Blackburn released an official statement that read:

“It’s no coincidence that less than a week after President Trump is arraigned, Hunter Biden is pleading guilty to a sweetheart deal with no jail time,” Blackburn said. “The DOJ is going for the low-hanging fruit by charging Hunter Biden with a gun felony and two tax misdemeanors, after years of slow walking their investigation. For AG Garland to maintain his mantra that there is one standard of justice is pathetic. If the DOJ thinks this dismisses the $5 million alleged bribery scheme or the years of reported Biden family corruption, they are mistaken. We will not allow full accountability to fall by the wayside.” 

News of the plea came a week after former President Trump was charged for violations of the Espionage Act, and only a few days after Sen. Chuck Grassley requested time to present evidence that allegedly reveals a bribery scheme involving Joe and son Hunter coercing a Burisma official to pay them $10 million in bribes—a claim allegedly verified in a series of 17 audio recordings purporting to depict a series of meetings between the family and Burisma founder Mykola Zlochevsky.

During a Senate hearing last week, Blackburn led a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling on him to appoint a special counsel to investigate any wrongdoing by President Biden and his family in their business dealings.

Senators J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) joined Senator Blackburn as co-signers on the letter. An excerpt from the letter reads:

“Recent reports indicate that Burisma—a Ukrainian natural gas firm where Hunter Biden sat on the board—allegedly paid then-Vice President Biden $5 million to influence United States policy decisions—conduct that would clearly constitute bribery. To make matters worse, The FBI has stonewalled congressional oversight of this matter, refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee. Additionally, both Joe and Hunter Biden pursued numerous business deals that were allegedly arranged by individuals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)”

In the same letter, the senators called for a special counsel to investigate the Biden family’s business transactions.

“Given these concerning allegations that continue to come to light with each passing day, we urge you to appoint a special counsel to investigate any wrongdoing by President Biden and his family in their business dealings.  Only then—with the appointment of a neutral and independent special counsel with broad authority to investigate these credible claims of the Biden family’s corruption—can the American people be assured that there is truly one set of laws in this country and that they apply to everyone equally, regardless of their viewpoint or political affiliation,”

Trump’s Attacks on DeSantis Could Hand Florida to Democrats in 2024 – Opinion

Matt OHern
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Trump’s Attacks on DeSantis Could Hand Florida to Democrats in 2024 – Opinion

Most nationally-known polls currently show former President Trump with a wide lead over Florida Gov. Ron Desantis in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary, but Trump’s short-term strategy for success against DeSantis could prove to be disastrous against President Joe Biden in Nov. 2024. Despite a large lead in GOP Primary polls, Trump continues to criticize DeSantis with more frequency and vitriol than any other Republicans in the field.

General elections are a zero sum game, but no candidate ever corrals 100% of active registered their respective party’s voters and earns their support several months later in the general election. For a great example, Trump need look no further than the bitter rivalry that developed in the 2016 Democratic Party’s Presidential Primary. Ironically, Hillary Clinton serves as the perfect warning for Trump supporters. In 2016, Bernie Sanders supporters vocalized their displeasure with Hillary’s tactics, and they vowed to withhold their vote from Hillary in the General Election. A post-election analysis of data gathered from the Cooperative Congressional Election Study found that many of those vocal critics of Clinton kept their word, and found that 12 percent of respondents who voted for Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries didn’t support Clinton in the 2016 General Election. Ultimately, that drop in support proved to be enough of a dropoff to undermine Clinton and propel Trump to one of the most shocking upsets in political history.

In 2020, Trump defeated Biden in Florida by 3.3%, taking just over half of the vote at 51.2%, to Biden’s 47.9%. It may be easy for Trump supporters to forget the extent that DeSantis’ expanded top of the ticket support across Florida, but when DeSantis was re-elected, he not only repeated victories in previous storngholds, he conquered new territory was that shocked pundits and voters alike, including former Democratic Party Strongholds such as Hillsborough County (Tampa), Duval County (Jacksonville), and Miami-Dade County, which hadn’t been won by a Republican Presidential candidate since George H.W. Bush crushed Mike Dukakis in 1988’s Presidential Election.

A 3.3% margin of victory in 2020 could easily be erased if enough voters decide to sit out or vote third party in 2024 due to Trump’s tactics against their preferred candidate in DeSantis. Undoubtedly, Democrats are hoping that the insults and attacks between Trump and DeSantis continue for as long as possible in the 2024 Republican Primary.

Trump Should Focus on Virginia, Forget Michigan for 2024

Matt OHern
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Trump Should Focus on Virginia, Forget Michigan for 2024

While the 2024 General Election is more than a year away, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the heavy favorites to win the nomination of their respective parties. While many traditional swing states have remained closely-contested in recent elections, new states, such as Georgia have emerged as unexpected battlegrounds, and some states that were solidly blue for several cycles, such as Virginia, flipped red during a gubernatorial race.

Following Republican underdog Glenn Younkgin’s upset over nationally-known Democrat and former Clinton advisor Terry McCaullife, Virgina became a new beacon of hope for Republicans planning to conquer new ground in 2024.

Youngkin raised the eyebrows of many megadonors and political pundits alike last month when he randomly tweeted a video that many interpreted as an indication that he is planning a 2024 presidential campaign run. Youngkin has stated that he doesn’t plan to run for president, but he could prove to be a major asset as a vice presidential pick in 2024. Virginia could compensate for former red states that have turned blue, such as Colorado.

In the northeast, Pennsylvania dashed any promising signs for Republicans after Democrats won the open senate seat and the governor’s mansion in 2022.

Meanwhile in the Midwest states, Ohio remains one of the most reliably red states in the Rust Belt since 2016. Wisconsin has reverted to its usual blue shade, with the exception of Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s razor-thin margin of victory over Democratic candidate Mandella Barnes, when Johson won 50.5% to 49.5%. Democrat’s protected the governor’s mansion as Gov. Tony Evers defeated Republican Tim Michels, 51.2% to 47.8%. In a Wisconsin Supreme Court election last month, liberal judge Janet Protasiewicz won a seat on Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court, flipping the body’s ideological majority. Her win over conservative former state Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly could have implications for an important abortion case and could ultimately impact redistricting in the state.

Michigan re-elected incumbent Democrat Gretchen Whitmer easily defeated Trump-endorsed Republican opponent Tudor Dixon, 54.5% to 43.9%. Her victory came as a surprise to many following several strict COVID policies that gained Whitmer national scrutiny. A foiled kidnapping plot may have increased support for Whitmer, but either way, Michigan hasn’t shown any signs of hope for the GOP since Biden retook the state against Trump in 2020.

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