ron desantis
March 24, 2021 -
In the wake of historic Black Lives Matter protests, Republican lawmakers in Southern states have introduced two dozen bills this year that could lead to new criminal charges for protesters — even peaceful ones. Most Southern states already have at least one such law on the books.
March 8, 2021 -
Since Congress declined to grant businesses immunity from COVID-19 lawsuits, Republican lawmakers in Florida and other states are renewing their push to ban negligence lawsuits filed by workers and consumers exposed to COVID-19.
January 28, 2021 -
GOP state lawmakers are using the recent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to justify new laws that subject protesters to harsh criminal penalties. Many of the bills were introduced last year, amid nationwide protests for racial justice. Some would bar efforts to reallocate funding from police.
October 29, 2020 -
Legal experts have warned that election results could be delayed for days due to all of the mail-in ballots and litigation over voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. This could open the door to federal courts intervening — or legislators deciding who won the presidential election in their state.
September 9, 2020 -
High courts in Arkansas and Florida have blocked ballot measures that would have required nonpartisan redistricting and banned assault weapons. The courts cited new laws that raise the bar for citizens to put constitutional amendments on the ballot.
July 28, 2020 -
A federal appeals court is allowing Florida to enforce a law that requires payment of court fines and fees before people with felony convictions can vote again. The court is still deciding if it's an illegal poll tax, and Democratic senators say two of the judges are violating ethics rules by remaining on the case.
July 16, 2020 -
As COVID-19 cases spike across the South, even some of the region's most conservative governors have instituted statewide face-covering mandates. Then there's Georgia's Brian Kemp.
