Politics

Jax City Council snaps back at snapping fingers, says size matters on signs

Published

1 week ago

January 21, 2025

Silence is golden. And decorum is platinum.

That’s a takeaway from bipartisan legislation (2024-871) the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee voted up that would further inhibit demonstrations.

Snapping fingers and signs bigger than 21 inches squared would be banned, though language banning the discussion of a “group of candidates, political party, or a ballot initiative” was removed via an amendment in committee.

Republican Chris Miller expressed “concern” about “impinging” on freedom of speech as the amendment discussion kicked off. He consulted Elections Supervisor Jerry Holland in the hopes of getting legal clarity, and Holland suggested electioneering and other expressions were not a “concern” the City Council should address.

“I’d like to see the political component taken out,” Miller suggested, though disruptions that “take away from the process” may merit “parameters.”

Regarding signs and a potential size limitation, an amendment was passed to restrict signs to a 21-inch-by-21-inch boundary, ameliorating a previous 1-square-foot rule in the proposed bill. A staffer noted that T-shirts of a certain size would be forbidden if they display messages, as is the wont of one public comment frequent flyer.

The finger snapping component, meanwhile, survived without an amendment. But not without criticism.

Republicans Matt Carlucci and Freeman noted First Amendment concerns, saying that a Council President has the ability and judgment to handle disruptions and emotional statements.

“I’d like to keep the main thing the main thing, and that’s enforcement,” Freeman said. “I’m just not comfortable with all the rabbit holes this could go down.”

Republican Michael Boylan noted that the amended bill allows people to display signs at the podium and only regulates flicking of the phalanges.

“The only thing we’re doing otherwise is getting rid of the ability of snapping fingers and waving signs,” Boylan said.

The bill, filed by Republican Council President Randy White and Democrat Rahman Johnson, intends to put the kibosh on demonstrations that have been persistent since October 2023 amid Israel’s response to Hamas attacks.

Johnson, a committee member, rejected the idea that the bill was an “infringement on free speech,” but was about “decorum so we can all hear each other when we’re speaking.”

Jacksonville lawmakers have faced recurrent challenges over hot button issues, as evidenced by fights for LGBTQ rights last decade and other passionate protests leading to calls to clear the chamber. This latest effort is of a piece with moves like reducing public comment speaking time.

A supermajority will be needed to pass this next week at the full Council meeting.

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

Published

8 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

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

Published

3 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

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

Published

4 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

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.