Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is about to make a decision that has the Left foaming at the mouth.
The state legislature just handed him a huge win for conservatives and farmers alike.
And Ron DeSantis left conservatives cheering after this move hit radical leftists where it hurts.
Florida legislature passes landmark farm bill banning fluoride in public water
The Florida House of Representatives passed a sweeping agricultural bill that’s heading straight to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk.
The bill, spearheaded by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, makes significant changes to laws related to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
What’s got Democrats crying foul?
The legislation prohibits the addition of fluoride to public water supplies across the Sunshine State.
Democrat Representative Daryl Campbell opposed the bill by claiming it gives credence to “conspiracy theories” and hurts everyday Floridians.
“Here’s the deal, this bill doesn’t hurt the wealthy,” Campbell complained on the House floor. “They’ll keep seeing private dentists, getting their expensive treatments, and flashing their perfect smiles, but for everyday Floridians, the people who clock in at 6 a.m., who can’t take time off for their dentist… this bill takes a safe and proven and affordable public health tool and rips it away.”
But supporters argue that this is about giving Floridians control over what goes into their bodies – not government bureaucrats making those decisions for them.
Bill protects farmers from woke ESG agenda
The legislation does much more than just tackle fluoride.
It also protects farmers and ranchers from financial discrimination based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores.
This means banks and financial institutions can’t deny loans to agricultural businesses simply because they don’t comply with leftist climate and social justice agendas.
Additionally, the bill creates a new crime for harassing Floridians with drones – a growing problem for rural property owners and farmers.
Truth-in-labeling provisions have Democrats defending “soy boys”
The legislation also requires truth-in-labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs – something that triggered Representative Anna Eskamani into filing a failed amendment.
Eskamani claimed the labeling requirements were unfair to her “soy boys out there” and her “vegan ladies” by requiring accurate descriptions of plant-based products.
“I can tell you that I am not confused when I’m buying a product, and I think that this type of control over a private company is anti-competitive,” Eskamani argued. “It is hindering innovation.”
Representative Danny Alvarez wasn’t having any of it.
“If you want to be a soy boy, you have every choice that you can,” Alvarez fired back. “It literally tells you that on the label. So that’s not a problem, they are clear, I should say. The problem is they’re just not honest.”
He added, “If you tell me that I’m drinking oat milk, then pray tell where the milk is in that beverage. So if you argue against this bill, what you’re asking me to do is vote for falsehoods in labeling.”
Agricultural commissioner calls bill “historic” win
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson celebrated the passage of the bill as “one of the most significant legislative victories for Florida agriculture in a generation.”
“We’re defending our farmers from ESG-driven financial discrimination. We’re securing farmland for future generations and protecting property owners from drone harassment,” Simpson said after the vote. “This bill is a long-term commitment to Florida agriculture.”
The bill passed 88-27 through the House and now awaits Governor DeSantis’ signature.
With this legislation, Florida continues its tradition of pushing back against radical left-wing policies while protecting its agricultural heritage and the freedoms of everyday citizens.
