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Momentum & mandate — Florida should lead the way

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For those who regularly exercise at a gym, your favorite day of the year is likely February 17.

This is the day when, according to the “experts” who collect that type of data, 80% of Americans who joined the local gym for their New Year’s resolution fall off the wagon, and the treadmill is once again available.

The reasons for this are almost entirely psychological. It’s called momentum. Momentum is defined as the strength or force gained by motion or a series of actions, and it is extraordinarily difficult to regain once it is lost.

Just ask those telling themselves every Sunday evening in March that, come tomorrow, it’s back in the gym.

This thought has been sitting with me over the past couple of weeks as policymakers and the Governor, all of whom I am big fans of, consider the timing, practicality, and wisdom of convening a Special Legislative Session to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing challenges. Yes, you read that right; I said nation. While traditionally, our legislature convenes the regular session in early March (in an odd-numbered year) to debate and pass laws impacting Floridians, we stand right now at a unique juncture in our history.

With his election, President Donald Trump accomplished what only one other U.S. President in history has – returning to the White House after a prior electoral defeat. That accomplishment, coupled with the unprecedented energy in the run-up to his inauguration, has created momentum for sweeping reforms that can chart a new course in our nation’s progress. That progress requires sober-minded policy not just from Congress but in state legislatures across the country. And there is no Governor in the United States, and no legislature in the United States, better equipped than Florida’s to be the wind that keeps momentum going.

I often speak of Florida as a beacon of liberty and prosperity for the rest of the country. Over the course of the past several Legislative Sessions, our Governor, legislative leaders, and policymakers, under withering national criticism, have accomplished more than any other state in my lifetime. They did this by being single-minded and courageous in pursuit of conservative principles and not wavering as momentum built. They rode it and kept going, reform after reform after reform.

The country pays attention to Florida, and this past November, they voted for a much-needed course correction in Washington. Voters, rightly, in my opinion, decided that the country could not weather another moment of the policies of radical leftism destroying what we all know to be the greatest experiment in self-governance in human history. Driving the point home, Floridians voted for Trump in increasing margins each of the three times he has appeared on the ballot. Trump won Florida by 113,000 votes in 2016, 371,000 votes in 2020, and 1.4 MILLION votes in 2024.

That is more than a win; it is a mandate.

In the flurry of executive orders Trump signed shortly after taking the oath of office, he sent a message not just to every American but to every Governor and state Legislature that we cannot waste a single minute of the momentum we have. There is no state better positioned to not only answer that call but answer it immediately than Florida.

No leaders in the country are better equipped to build upon that momentum than Gov. Ron DeSantis, Speaker Danny Perez, and President Ben Albritton. They should heed the President’s call to act and do so now. The risks of inaction are just too great.

I recognize that we are only a few short weeks away from the start of the 2025 regular session. I also acknowledge that once the Legislative Session train leaves the station, it tends to take on a life of its own.

I have seen 21 of them in my years as CEO of JMI, and not one has passed in which I was not surprised or shocked by something. In any other ordinary year, well, those are the breaks, and I truly value the wisdom of a 60-day window for enacting laws. However, at this truly extraordinary point in history, I admit it is a risk I hope our policymakers do not take. I encourage our legislative leadership to see the opportunity before us as historic, not just for Florida but for the country. I encourage you also to recognize that as strong as the momentum may be, it can whither without warning.

Florida must continue to lead by example and keep the momentum moving. We have that opportunity before us. Let’s not wait.

___

Dr. Robert McClure is the president and CEO of The James Madison Institute in Tallahassee.


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Disney World’s government settles ride evacuation injury lawsuit for $50K

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Walt Disney World’s government has settled a lawsuit after a boy was injured during a ride evacuation in 2021 at the Magic Kingdom, records show.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District agreed to pay the boy’s grandfather, Richard McNamara, $50,000 and did not admit any liability for the incident, according to the terms of settlement. Both sides agreed to pay their own legal expenses.

CFTOD, formerly known as Reedy Creek Improvement District, released the settlement this week following a Florida Politics records request made late last year.

The boy, originally from Alabama, had gone through a lot in his 12 years before he came to Orlando on vacation in March 2021.

His teenager brother shot and killed their father before shooting the boy, paralyzing him from the waist down, according to media reports.

An organization that helps children in need provided the boy with a trip to Disney World.

It was on that vacation when the boy rode the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a popular roller coaster based on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” when the coaster broke down.

“When the first responders attempted to lift (the boy) to remove him from the ride, they over-extended his leg, snapping his right femur at the knee,” the lawsuit said.

The family sued in 2022 for a claim of more than $100,000.

The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed last year after the two sides reached a settlement.

McNamara’s attorney, the boy’s attorney and CFTOD either declined to comment or did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

At the time, Disney did not disclose the boy’s injury on the state theme park injury report released every quarter by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Theme parks face little regulation when it comes to disclosing juries to the public. Theme parks are only required to disclose injuries if people are hurt on a ride and require at least 24-hours of hospitalization.


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Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

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Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”


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Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

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It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.


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