Florida GOP leaders: DeSantis' session on Trump deportation plan is 'premature'
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“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make,” the Florida Senate president and House speaker said.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s legislative leaders say Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plans to hold a special session are “premature.”

“Today, I called for a special session of the Florida legislature the week of January 27 to prepare Florida to lead on the Trump Administration’s deportation program,” the governor announced Monday on social media.

Just hours later, Florida Senate President Ben Albritton and Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez issued a joint memorandum pushing back on DeSantis’ decision.

The leaders said they’re ready to follow President-elect Trump’s lead on immigration programs, adding that it’s “completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make…”

Albritton and Perez stressed that they hadn’t received any guidance about what state legislature can do to prepare for any forthcoming federal action.

“While the Governor discussed fragments of ideas for a special session he plans to start in just fourteen days, he did not release any actual bill language or even meaningful details for legislators and our constituents to consider,” the memorandum read.

During his announcement, DeSantis said that while state lawmakers are meeting to discuss Trump’s deportation program, they should also address “ballot initiative integrity, disaster relief, and condominium regulations.”

However, Albritton and Perez said these are “complex subjects” that should be considered during the regular session which is set to begin March 4.

Their concerns echoed those previously voiced by Florida Democratic leaders.

“The problem with special session is that things move too quickly. There’s not the opportunity for bills to be fully vetted for the public to have the sort of input they typically will,” State Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) said.

“There is no reason for us to have this special session right now, to deal with issues related to immigration or the ballot collection and petition gathering process,” State Sen. Carlos Smith (D-Orlando) said.

Albritton and Perez said that while they are required to be at the special session, they also hold power in dictating its direction.

“As the people’s elected representatives, the Legislature, not the Governor, will decide when and what legislation we consider,” the legislative leaders’ memorandum read.

Read the full memorandum below.


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