Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, publicly disassociated himself from a blogger registration measure on Tuesday, stating he does not back the proposal.
DeSantis said at a press conference that he was shocked to be linked to a bill by state Sen. Jason Brodeur that would compel bloggers who cover government to register with the state.
“Any individual in the legislature can file bills,” the governor remarked after giving his “State of the State” address.
“I see these individuals submitting laws, and I see these articles with my face on them, claiming that bloggers are going to have to register with the state, and they’re attributing it to me.
“That’s not anything I’ve ever supported, I don’t support,” DeSantis, a possible 2024 presidential contender, continued. I’ve made it quite obvious what our plan is.
“I don’t control every single bill that has been submitted,” he continued.
Earlier this month, Brodeur filed a measure that would have fined bloggers up to $2,500 if they did not register with the state and report monthly on who paid them and the amount of remuneration they received to write about the governor, members of his Cabinet, or state politicians.
The measure has been under fire ever since it was introduced for allegedly trampling on the First Amendment right to free expression.
First Amendment attorney Ron Kuby expressed doubt that the measure would hold up in court.
If passed, “it’s hard to conceive a proposition that would be more violative of the First Amendment,” Kuby added. Reporters are not required to fill out any paperwork. Anyone with a pen in their hand cannot be coerced into signing up.
Newt Gingrich, a Republican and former House Speaker, also urged Brodeur to withdraw his offer.
“The concept that bloggers criticizing a politician should register with the government is crazy,” Gingrich stated in a Twitter tweet Sunday. It’s embarrassing that a Republican lawmaker in Florida has proposed legislation along these lines.
“Right now, he needs to take it back.”