Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has allocated over $28 million to expand semiconductor and chip manufacturing in the state. The funding will support five workforce development projects and create high-wage jobs for Florida residents, strengthening the state’s talent pipeline in the industry. Florida is already ranked third in the nation for semiconductor businesses and fifth for semiconductor manufacturing jobs. The funding is part of Governor DeSantis’ workforce development initiative, which aims to support industries like semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and research and development. Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. reported
A controversial law that was implemented in 2021, prohibiting transgender girls from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, made headlines this week when it was violated for the first time. The violation occurred at a Broward County high school, where a transgender student was discovered to be playing on the girls’ varsity volleyball team in defiance of the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.” As a result, the principal and four other staff members were reassigned from their positions.
The state Department of Education issued a warning about the serious consequences of violating the fairness law, but the students at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek did not agree with this punishment. In response, they organized walkouts on Tuesday and Wednesday, which garnered media attention. The students held signs that advocated for transgender rights, with messages such as “Let her serve” and “trans rights are human rights.”
The passage of this law has sparked a wave of similar legislation aimed at restricting the rights of individuals who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. This trend has been identified as a political success, as evidenced by a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, which found that the belief that gender is determined at birth has increased as more states pass laws of this nature.
The students at Monarch High School have a different definition of “fairness” compared to the state’s perspective. According to the Pew Center, since 2017, the belief that gender can be different from the one assigned at birth has decreased by six percentage points to 38%. This discrepancy has led to additional laws being enacted, such as regulations on restroom usage and pronoun usage in schools. The state’s medical boards have also implemented rules that restrict gender-affirming care for minors and place limitations on care for adults.
Furthermore, a new proposal, known as HB 599, is set to be discussed in the upcoming legislative session. If passed, it would prohibit nonprofit groups that receive state funding from conducting any activities related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Interestingly, at a recent Broward School Board meeting, members who criticized the law regulating transgender athletes remained silent on the reassignments of the school staff. This silence could be due to the fear of facing suspension, as four School Board members were suspended by the Governor last year.
However, it is important to note that the views of young adults regarding gender identity differ from those of older generations. According to the same Pew Center research report, 50% of individuals aged 18 to 29 believe that someone can be a man or a woman regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth, whereas only about a third of individuals over 50 agree with this perspective.
In other news, Florida’s capital city has witnessed several significant events in recent weeks. Republican Party of Florida Chair Christian Ziegler is currently under investigation for allegations of sexual battery. While Ziegler’s lawyer maintains his client’s innocence, Governor Ron DeSantis has called for Ziegler’s resignation.
Additionally, new details have emerged regarding the death of Pete Antonacci, who was chosen by DeSantis to lead an election crimes unit. It was revealed that Antonacci collapsed during a meeting and remained unattended for 24 minutes before passing away. The incident is currently under investigation.
Furthermore, the state Supreme Court has struck down a provision of a constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law, which aimed to protect the identities of crime victims. This decision was celebrated by advocates for governmental transparency, as the provision interfered with public records laws and the defendant’s right to confront their accuser.
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has announced an investigation into Citizens Property Insurance Corp., a state-backed insurer of last resort. The investigation will focus on Citizens’ ability to pay claims in the event of climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes.
Lastly, dozens of students at Monarch High School participated in walkouts to protest the reassignments of school staff following the violation of the transgender sports law. The state Department of Education has warned of serious consequences for those involved in the violation, and it was revealed that the same student was recently involved in a court case challenging the law, which was ultimately dismissed.
On a different note, Governor DeSantis has allocated over $28 million to expand semiconductor and chip manufacturing through workforce development projects. This initiative aims to create high-wage jobs and strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline in the semiconductor industry. The funding will support the construction of a semiconductor lab facility in Osceola County, as well as the expansion of robotics and semiconductor technician programs at Valencia College and the development of a new associate degree program in engineering technology at Santa Fe College..