It's always an 'emergency.' The 'Alligator Alcatraz' backstory

[Zorro]

By now, you probably know that Gov. Ron DeSantis built a detention center in the middle of the Everglades and seized control of land to do so. But you might not appreciate how he was able to do so.

See, normally, a governor can’t just decide to take control of land he doesn’t own, because, well, he’s not a king in medieval Europe.

But DeSantis was able to pull off this land grab and do other things he normally can’t because he declared a “state of emergency” that granted him extra powers.

Now, most states of emergency only last for a few weeks or months. The general idea is that competent leaders who grant themselves extra powers can quickly deal with unexpected problems.

But Ron DeSantis really likes his extra powers. So after declaring a state of emergency way back on Jan. 6, 2023 — to deal with what he called the “Biden Border Crisis” — the governor decided to “renew” his emergency order 60 days later.

And then again 60 days after that. And then again after that. And then again. And Again. And again. And Again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2025/07/03/its-always-an-emergency-alligator-alcatraz-backstory-column/

[JMCKUSICK]

1. And just like Congress with W,

Use of Force, the Florida legislature sits on their collective hands.....