FL Bill Would Allow DeSantis To Remove Any Elected Official Who Votes Against Confederate Monuments

Florida Politics reports:

HB 395, filed by Rep. Dean Black of Jacksonville, proposes state “protection of historical monuments and memorials” and authorizes “all actions to protect and preserve all historical monuments and memorials from removal, damage, or destruction.”

The bill would punish local lawmakers and officials who voted to remove such memorials, authorizing a fine of the costs of replacing or repairing the memorial out of their personal wealth for removal actions.

It would also give Ron DeSantis the power to remove elected leaders from local office from the time the bill takes effect. “An elected official acting in his or her official capacity who knowingly and willfully violates this section is subject to removal from office by the Governor,” the bill reads.

Read the full article. Last month Rep. Dean Black appeared here when he called for a state law banning elected officials from participating in Pride events, festivals, or parades, saying he was “disgusted” that Jacksonville’s recently elected mayor had marched in her city’s parade. His new bill stipulates that DeSantis can remove any elected official who “directs, permits, facilitates, or votes to remove or destroy a monument or memorial.”

New legislation from @SenJonMartin, @DeanBlackFL would let @GovRonDeSantis remove local officials who take down Confederate monuments

Reporting by @AGGancarskihttps://t.co/QSyrMPFXp5#FlaPol pic.twitter.com/F3y26y7sfu

— Phil Ammann (@PhilAmmann) November 9, 2023