New Technology World

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been embroiled in a high-profile battle between Disney and Big Tech.
• This is the model Republicans should follow, he said at a conservative conference near Miami.
• “I think it’s an absolutely appropriate use of government power,” he said.

Aventura, Florida — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has fought big business on everything from diversity training to environmental, social and governance investments. He even challenged family favorite Disney by stripping the company of its autonomy.

It’s a surprising approach to business for a Republican supported by more than 40 millionaire donors, with some critics calling it heavy-handed and polarizing. . Republicans have historically eschewed regulation and favored a more hands-off stance while offering large tax cuts to businesses.

But in an hour-long speech before the National Conservative Congress on Sunday night, DeSantis criticized the Republican approach to big business, arguing that his experience in Florida offered “a lesson for people on the right.” “We need to change the way we think,” he said.

“Corpolatism is not the same as free enterprise. Too many Republicans see limited government as basically what’s best for corporate America is how they want to run their economy.” I think,” attendees at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort.

“In my view, obviously free enterprise is the best economic system, but it is a means to an end. .”

As governor, DeSantis pushed a number of controversial policies that drew national headlines and criticism from the Biden administration. Speculation is high that he will run for president in 2024.

But first, he must win re-election in Florida in November. He will face off against former Democratic Rep. Charlie Christ, who served as Florida’s Republican governor from 2007 until 2011.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the 1st Annual Moms for Liberty Summit July 15, 2022 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Florida. DeSantis is seeking re-election with his Democratic counterpart, Charlie Crist, in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Octavio Jones/Getty Images

The growing list of DeSantis actions against businesses

DeSantis has taken a number of steps against what he calls “wake-up companies.” More recently, the state board of trustees urged banning consideration of “social, political, or ideological interests,” such as ESG, in deciding what investments to make in state pension funds. I worked.

The governor also revoked Disney World’s autonomy after the company appealed to him to oppose the Parent’s Rights in Education Act. Yes, critics say it is too vague and harmful to LGBTQ students, parents, and teachers. Critics have called the legislation the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Another law, the Stop WOKE Act, restricts how private companies can conduct mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion training. Companies with more than 15 employees could face civil lawsuits if they accuse workers of breaking the law.

Just after former President Donald Trump resigned and was kicked out of social media platforms for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 violent attack on the Capitol, DeSantis says tech firms censor political candidates signed a bill to prevent

“There are people in Florida who criticize us because we took action against big tech companies,” DeSantis said Sunday night. Censorship.”

A mockup of the “SAY GAY” billboard that activists are setting up in Florida in response to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Courtesy of Southern Progress PAC

But not all of his plans are going well.

Some of Florida’s business laws are in litigation. The business portion of the “Stop WOKE Act” has been suspended after a judge cited violations of free speech. The Technology Act was blocked by the Court of Appeals, and Circuit Court Judge Kevin Newsom wrote in his opinion that “the government cannot tell individuals and groups what to say and how to say it.”

Other Florida laws are confusing to navigate.For example, this week the Miami School Board rejected measures to comply with LGBTQ History Month.

But DeSantis doubled down on his actions in Sunday night’s speech, predicting that his administration would win legal challenges. “They are exercising quasi-official power in that they use their economic power to change the policies of this country.”

“What I do is use the government to give individual citizens the space to participate in society and speak their minds,” DeSantis said.

“And I think it’s a perfectly appropriate use of government power.”