The Florida Capitol. (Photo by Michael Moline/Florida Phoenix)
Legislative leaders have postponed committee hearings scheduled for this week because of the impending winter storm that threatens to create hazardous travel conditions.
The hearings will be rescheduled for next week, coinciding with a special session that Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered to begin on Monday, Jan. 27, to take up an immigration crackdown and other initiatives.
“Weather forecasts continue to predict snow and ice in North Florida beginning Tuesday night and into Wednesday, creating conditions that would make holding committee meetings impractical and travel to and in Tallahassee unsafe,” House Speaker Daniel Perez said in a note to his members.
Perez extended the deadline to file legislation for the regular session beginning in March from Friday, Jan. 24, to Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. So did Senate President Ben Albritton.
“I am concerned with Senators, staff, and visitors being out on the roads traveling to and around the Tallahassee area in these conditions,” Albritton wrote to his members.
“As I mentioned Friday, while I am always hesitant to cancel noticed committee meetings, the reality is that our transportation infrastructure is not built to accommodate accumulated snow and ice. Safety of Senators, staff and visitors is my top concern.”
DeSantis wants the Legislature to write new laws targeting illegal immigration in anticipation of President Donald Trump’s own agenda in that area. Perez and Albritton have said they prefer to wait until the regular session to write such complicated laws.
The governor also wants the Legislature to tackle issues regarding condominiums, hurricane relief, and petition initiatives.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.