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. For more information, visit 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.
Miami Beach Gay Pride is produced with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority. The all-volunteer Pride board produces safe, quality, mass-appeal events that are open to the entire community, including the Parade, Festival and allied Miami Beach Gay Pride sanctioned events. The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBT community.
The Pride Festival which followed featured 125 LGBT-friendly vendors and businesses, plus refreshments, two stages of entertainment, a family-friendly play area and fireworks. In addition to Parade spectators, last April’s event included 66 parade entries and 1,200 participants. An estimated 15,000 spectators turned out for the first Pride parade in 2009 an estimated 80,000 attended the 2013 event which attracted not only South Floridians, but also visitors from throughout the world. Since its inception five years ago, Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown from a neighborhood event to an event on the global stage with A-list performers like Adam Lambert last April.
It takes a lot of money to produce a free event.” “People in the community don’t necessarily realize that Pride is a stand-alone, non-profit entity supported by sponsorships and individual donations. “One of my goals as chair is to increase fundraising for next year’s Pride,” Stedman said. He is an owner of one of South Beach’s favorite hot spots, Twist, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Prior to being elected chair, Stedman served on the volunteer board as the director of the Pride Festival. The sixth annual installment of the popular community-wide event will take place April 11 – 13, 2014. Joel Stedman, one of Miami Beach Gay Pride’s founding board members, has been named the new chairman of the organization.