DeSantis fights against Florida’s abortion ballot measure, utilizing government resources.
The Florida state health care regulator has been actively opposing it, while DeSantis argues that it serves to inform the public.
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republican leaders in Florida have been actively using public funds to counter a November ballot measure that could repeal the state’s stringent six-week abortion restriction.
These efforts have ranged from a state-operated website that criticizes the proposal to having election police verify the authenticity of signatures collected to qualify the measure, known as Amendment 4, for the ballot. This has led to ongoing legal disputes with the campaign promoting the initiative.
Critics argue these actions are a case of government overreach, aimed at maintaining the abortion restrictions DeSantis approved amidst his presidential campaign preparations. They accuse the state government of acting unlawfully, while DeSantis and his supporters maintain they are simply educating the public and safeguarding the people of Florida.
“What we are witnessing is a disturbing pattern of government interference — not only in women's healthcare but also in the very democratic process itself,” stated Keisha Mulfort, an ACLU of Florida spokesperson, asserting that such overreach is perilous and endangers women throughout the state.
The controversy is expected to soon be adjudicated in court. The ACLU of Florida and the Southern Legal Counsel have petitioned a Leon County Circuit Court to deactivate a website launched by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. This website claims that passing the amendment could pose health risks to women and children.
Amendment 4 proposes to eliminate Florida’s six-week abortion ban, seeking to restore more permissive standards similar to those previously established by Roe v. Wade.
DeSantis has argued that Amendment 4 would nullify numerous state abortion regulations aimed at doctors, late-term procedures, and minors. He contends that the amendment’s wording is vague and could allow judges rather than elected legislators to dictate state laws.
“Why would you want to take power away from the people of the state to determine their own destiny and transfer it to members of the judiciary?” DeSantis questioned during a Fort Myers radio broadcast hosted by Spencer Roach.
Responding to these allegations, Lauren Brenzel, the campaign director supporting the amendment, portrayed DeSantis' claims as distractions meant to frighten voters.
Regarding the AHCA website, DeSantis mentioned that the agency commonly issues announcements about legal adaptations, and referenced a collaboration with the Florida Association of Broadcasters to publicize current abortion regulations through advertisements.
Moreover, a specialized state police unit initiated by DeSantis has investigated allegations of fraud in the collection of over 891,000 signatures that brought the measure to the ballot, leading to police visits to some signatories' homes to verify their signatures.
Calls for an investigation into the AHCA website have been made by the state Democratic Party, and another lawsuit accuses DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and AHCA Secretary Jason Weida of misusing their authority to combat Amendment 4.
The legal challenge began when Moody suggested the state Supreme Court reject the abortion amendment from the ballot. The court, predominantly appointed by DeSantis, declined her proposition, allowing Amendment 4 to proceed to the November election.
There has also been contention over the financial statement accompanying the ballot measure. Although Moody’s team lost a case aiming to revise this statement, House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo prompted a review by replacing the analysts with figures including a Heritage Foundation research fellow and an anti-abortion professor, resulting in a statement indicating potential economic and regulatory impacts of the amendment.
The revision was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court, leading DeSantis to comment on the clarity it provides voters, noting it was crafted by a non-partisan group.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who will also appear on the ballot, has expressed opposition to the amendment and distanced himself from Florida’s current abortion laws, criticizing DeSantis during their primary battles while remaining noncommittal on a national abortion stance.
DeSantis has voiced frustration over the lack of vocal opposition to the amendment by fellow Republicans, emphasizing the importance of active campaigning against it.
“You have this amendment, which is the one that would make Florida one of the most radical abortion jurisdictions in the world, and yet you have people that won't even say that they're going to vote no on it,” DeSantis lamented. “Forget about actually putting in some sweat to say this shouldn't be in the constitution — actually going out and doing something about it."
"They won't even say that,” DeSantis said.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
These efforts have ranged from a state-operated website that criticizes the proposal to having election police verify the authenticity of signatures collected to qualify the measure, known as Amendment 4, for the ballot. This has led to ongoing legal disputes with the campaign promoting the initiative.
Critics argue these actions are a case of government overreach, aimed at maintaining the abortion restrictions DeSantis approved amidst his presidential campaign preparations. They accuse the state government of acting unlawfully, while DeSantis and his supporters maintain they are simply educating the public and safeguarding the people of Florida.
“What we are witnessing is a disturbing pattern of government interference — not only in women's healthcare but also in the very democratic process itself,” stated Keisha Mulfort, an ACLU of Florida spokesperson, asserting that such overreach is perilous and endangers women throughout the state.
The controversy is expected to soon be adjudicated in court. The ACLU of Florida and the Southern Legal Counsel have petitioned a Leon County Circuit Court to deactivate a website launched by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. This website claims that passing the amendment could pose health risks to women and children.
Amendment 4 proposes to eliminate Florida’s six-week abortion ban, seeking to restore more permissive standards similar to those previously established by Roe v. Wade.
DeSantis has argued that Amendment 4 would nullify numerous state abortion regulations aimed at doctors, late-term procedures, and minors. He contends that the amendment’s wording is vague and could allow judges rather than elected legislators to dictate state laws.
“Why would you want to take power away from the people of the state to determine their own destiny and transfer it to members of the judiciary?” DeSantis questioned during a Fort Myers radio broadcast hosted by Spencer Roach.
Responding to these allegations, Lauren Brenzel, the campaign director supporting the amendment, portrayed DeSantis' claims as distractions meant to frighten voters.
Regarding the AHCA website, DeSantis mentioned that the agency commonly issues announcements about legal adaptations, and referenced a collaboration with the Florida Association of Broadcasters to publicize current abortion regulations through advertisements.
Moreover, a specialized state police unit initiated by DeSantis has investigated allegations of fraud in the collection of over 891,000 signatures that brought the measure to the ballot, leading to police visits to some signatories' homes to verify their signatures.
Calls for an investigation into the AHCA website have been made by the state Democratic Party, and another lawsuit accuses DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and AHCA Secretary Jason Weida of misusing their authority to combat Amendment 4.
The legal challenge began when Moody suggested the state Supreme Court reject the abortion amendment from the ballot. The court, predominantly appointed by DeSantis, declined her proposition, allowing Amendment 4 to proceed to the November election.
There has also been contention over the financial statement accompanying the ballot measure. Although Moody’s team lost a case aiming to revise this statement, House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo prompted a review by replacing the analysts with figures including a Heritage Foundation research fellow and an anti-abortion professor, resulting in a statement indicating potential economic and regulatory impacts of the amendment.
The revision was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court, leading DeSantis to comment on the clarity it provides voters, noting it was crafted by a non-partisan group.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who will also appear on the ballot, has expressed opposition to the amendment and distanced himself from Florida’s current abortion laws, criticizing DeSantis during their primary battles while remaining noncommittal on a national abortion stance.
DeSantis has voiced frustration over the lack of vocal opposition to the amendment by fellow Republicans, emphasizing the importance of active campaigning against it.
“You have this amendment, which is the one that would make Florida one of the most radical abortion jurisdictions in the world, and yet you have people that won't even say that they're going to vote no on it,” DeSantis lamented. “Forget about actually putting in some sweat to say this shouldn't be in the constitution — actually going out and doing something about it."
"They won't even say that,” DeSantis said.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
