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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida legislative leaders are testing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ influence, calling into question his latest directive that orders lawmakers into special session and urges them to address illegal immigration.
“As the people’s elected representatives, the Legislature, not the Governor, will decide when and what legislation we consider,” the legislative leaders wrote Monday in a memo.
The leadership memo — signed jointly by Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez — underscores an unprecedented reluctance toward DeSantis, who over the years has enjoyed the Republican-controlled legislature’s full-throated support.
Albritton and Perez further described the special session as “premature” and “ill-timed,” adding that bills addressing immigration, among other topics, are best left for the regular legislative session starting March 4.
“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders, and protect the sovereignty of our nation,” the pair added.
DeSantis is ordering lawmakers to convene Jan. 27 in Tallahassee. Speaking to reporters in the Capitol, he stressed an urgency for lawmakers to act, noting that President-Elect Donald Trump swears into office next week.
Trump is promising sweeping action against illegal immigration on Day One, including a plan to spearhead mass deportation operations.
"We need to act, and we need to act quickly," DeSantis said. "This is the time to get it right once and for all."
DeSantis wants legislation requiring local governments to comply with state and federal immigration law. He also wants policies targeting sanctuary cities and local officials that don’t comply. Moreover, DeSantis is planning to provide more funding to law enforcement, and expressed a willingness to utilize the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard.
"Florida needs to make sure we don’t have lingering incentives for people to come into our state illegally,” DeSantis told reporters inside the Capitol.
However, DeSantis’ order and press conference provided little other guidance to lawmakers. Typically, special sessions are reserved for moments that demand urgent action, and usually feature legislation pre-negotiated amongst leadership.
“Where’s the bill?” Said Melbourne Republican State Sen. Randy Fine, a Trump-endorsed lawmaker running for Congress. “Saying we have a problem, let’s have a special session, but I’m not sure what to do about it — what good does that do?”
Trump, meanwhile, is supporting DeSantis’ call for a special session. Trump on Truth Social on Tuesday thanked DeSantis.
“Hopefully other governors will follow,” Trump wrote.
Several Florida lawmakers are also backing DeSantis, including Spring Hill Republican State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia.
“He’s going to need state help,” Ingoglia told Spectrum News of Trump’s immigration plan. “I think the sooner we get a new law on the books to facilitate what President Trump’s goals are the better. Its something that cannot wait.”
Meanwhile, Florida Democrats oppose the special session call at-large. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell considers the special session political theater, adding that a special session on property insurance and affordability issues would better serve Floridians.
“It just seems to me that all of this is a stunt,” said Driskell. "It’s an attempt to get attention. It’s an attempt to maybe take some shine away from the President just after he’s been inaugurated.”
The Florida Constitution gives DeSantis authority to order a special. It doesn’t, though, require lawmakers to pass legislation. In 2010, then-Gov. Charlie Crist ordered a special session to address the BP oil spill. Lawmakers, however, left without passing any legislation.
At the moment, January’s special session agenda addresses more than immigration. DeSantis wants lawmakers to provide hurricane relief, including aid for farmers and condo owners, who’ve seen rising costs after safety reforms implemented after the 2021 Surfside Condominium collapse.
He also wants lawmakers to review Florida’s approach to constitutional ballot initiatives, alleging both fraud and large donors are undermining the process.
