East Volusia News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation to further strengthen Florida’s protections for consumers, teachers, and employees from being forced to adopt ideologies or reflect a preferred political behavior.

The legislation signed by Governor DeSantis includes HB 989 and HB 1291. HB 989 aims to increase protection for customers of financial institutions operating in Florida, prevent account cancellations and restrictions for political reasons, and allow community-based credit unions to hold public funds. On the other hand, HB 1291 prohibits teacher preparation programs from indoctrinating prospective teachers with distorted versions of historical events and prevents the infusion of identity politics in teaching methods.

Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “We reject a global elite trying to force their ideology on us by capturing major institutions.” He further added, "We are not going to allow big banks to discriminate based on someone’s political or religious beliefs, and we will continue to fight back against indoctrination in education and the workplace."

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis also expressed his support for the legislation, saying, "For too long, credit unions were barred from participating in Florida’s Qualified Depositor program, which didn’t make sense." He commended Governor DeSantis for creating a more competitive environment and focusing on maximizing taxpayer returns.

The collaborative efforts of Governor DeSantis and his team, along with the support of the Attorney General’s office, aim to prevent ideological discrimination and harassment in the workplace. This includes protecting employees from being subjected to trainings that create a hostile work environment or promote guilt based on racial, religious, or social backgrounds.

In conclusion, Governor DeSantis' actions reflect a commitment to safeguarding Florida against the influence of the global elite and promoting a fair and inclusive environment for consumers, teachers, and employees.