Florida GOP lawmakers approve shielding DeSantis travel recordsThe Hill, May 2, 2023
Republican lawmakers in Florida on Tuesday approved a bill that would shield the travel records of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and other state leaders from public disclosure.
The bill, which passed the Florida House along a party-line vote of 84-31 after clearing the Senate last month, would exempt the travel history of the state’s governor and their immediate family, the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members, Senate president, House speaker and the state Supreme Court’s chief justice from public records laws.
While Republicans argued it is for the safety of the state leaders and law enforcement officials to keep the records from the public, Democrats have blasted the bill, saying it is intended to help DeSantis in his likely run for president.
Democrats argued that while the bill also shields information about where the governor went, it also blocks the disclosure of whom he met with and what for.
The passage of the bill comes as DeSantis has had a packed travel schedule in recent weeks, making national and international trips as he prepares for an expected White House bid.
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3984650-florida-gop-lawmakers-desantis-travel-records/