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Amid war in Israel, Florida lawmakers propose blacklisting companies with Iran business

Florida lawmakers filed legislation on Thursday that would discourage businesses in the state from dealing with Iran, proposing a broad blacklist of companies that have business ties in the country in light of Hamas’ attack on Israel last month.

Gov. Ron DeSantis in recent days encouraged state lawmakers to draft the legislation ahead of next week’s special session in Tallahassee, an initiative his presidential campaign has promoted as an example of his leadership.

But at least one independent expert says the broad language of the bill could cause more harm than good to Florida businesses, whose banks and shipping companies could refuse to work with them on the mere risk of being stigmatized by the new blacklist policy.

The proposed legislation would require the State Board of Administration to create a new list, titled the “Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Iran Terrorism Sectors List,” by January, to identify Florida companies that meet the state’s new, expanded criteria for business dealings with Iran. It would prohibit public entities in Florida from making contracts worth $1 million or more with blacklisted companies, and prevent state pension funds from being invested in companies linked to Iran.

Special Session proposal has $35M security boost for places ‘at high risk for violent attacks

Another $35 million from the state could be appropriated to increase security at places facing “high risk for violent attacks” — namely, the Jewish community — according to legislation Republican Rep. Randy Fine has filed.

The bill (HB 7C) has already been noticed for a Monday hearing in the House Appropriations Committee meeting as a Special Session begins, Fine said.

The surprise Oct. 7 attack on Jewish civilians by Hamas and Israeli bombing in Gaza makes enhanced security for the Jewish community a must, said Fine, who is the only Jewish Republican in the Legislature.

“Jewish families are scared,” Fine said. “We have the greatest outpouring of open antisemitism happening in this country in anyone’s lifetime,” said Fine, who represents south Brevard County. “They are not only open (about showing) antisemitism, they are proud of it. It’s the responsibility of the government to keep people safe.”

Parents with special-needs kids decry school voucher funding woes

Florida’s historic expansion of voucher programs this spring delighted many school choice supporters, but some parents of children with disabilities haven’t received the scholarships, some have struggled with funding delays and others are upset they got a limited-use payroll card instead of direct deposit.

“There are just so many layers of hassle. This is one population that really needs the hassle taken away,” said Barbara Beasley, a Longwood mother whose daughter has complex medical and educational needs and uses a voucher to cover homeschooling supplies, tutoring and therapies.

Beasley, an advocate for other special needs parents, says many are fed up with this year’s problems, even as they back Florida’s effort to provide scholarships to students who wouldn’t thrive in public school.

“We all support school choice 150% because we’ve seen the benefits for our children,” Beasley said. “There should be no reason the children in this state can’t be served appropriately and individually.”

Southwest Airlines to shift ‘bulk’ of international operations to Orlando

Southwest Airlines is shifting the bulk of its international operations from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando with plans to add six daily direct flights to the Caribbean and Central America starting in June.

Pending government approval, the new routes from Orlando International Airport are to Cancun, Mexico; Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands; Nassau in the Bahamas; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and San José, Costa Rica.

Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson said it made sense to make Orlando the airline’s “international anchor” in the Southeast because of savings with crew staging and the airport’s connections to other markets.

“We’re shifting the bulk of the international service in Fort Lauderdale to Orlando,” he said during an earnings call last week. “This will offer better connectivity in our domestic network via the nearly 140 daily departures at MCO. We are fully committed to delivering on a plan that enables operational excellence, improves operational efficiency.”