Florida lawmaker sues DeSantis to dam future migrant flights from the border – Native Information 8 – LocalNews8.com

By FloridaDailyHerald On Sep 22, 2022

By Steve Contorno, CNN

A Democratic lawmaker in Florida filed a lawsuit Thursday night asking a courtroom to dam Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis from transporting extra migrants from the southern border, arguing last week’s flights to Martha’s Vineyard violated state legislation.

State Sen. Jason Pizzo, a Miami Democrat, contends that DeSantis illegally misspent taxpayer {dollars} by flying migrants from San Antonio to the Massachusetts island. Lawmakers this previous 12 months authorised $12 million for a program to move migrants however the state budget specified the cash was to relocate “unauthorized aliens from this state.”

On Wednesday, Pizzo advised CNN, “If we’re in a position to get this in entrance of a person or a girl in a black gown, how the hell is the state going to contend any of those persons are from Florida?”

In response to the lawsuit, DeSantis spokeswoman Taryn Fenske advised CNN Thursday, “Senator Pizzo by no means misses a chance for his quarter-hour of fame and is difficult an motion on an appropriation he voted for.”

DeSantis has vowed to move extra migrants from the border, telling reporters on Friday that the flights to Martha’s Winery were “just the beginning.”

The lawsuit was filed within the circuit courtroom of the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County, Florida. Florida Division of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, a DeSantis appointee, and the elected Chief Monetary Officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican, are additionally listed as defendants.

CNN reached out to Perdue and Patronis however didn’t obtain speedy responses.

Patronis spokesman Frank Collins stated in a tweet partly: “We’re in receipt of the submitting and we’re presently exploring choices for sanction and/or countersuit measures.”

DeSantis final week took credit score for 2 flights that moved about 48 migrants from the southern border to Martha’s Winery in a headline-grabbing stunt that has thrust the nation’s immigration disaster to the entrance step of the rich trip city. DeSantis stated the motion was paid for with the $12 million allotted this 12 months by the legislature and he promised to use “every penny.”

Requested repeatedly in regards to the justification to maneuver migrants positioned in a metropolis 700 miles from the westernmost fringe of Florida, DeSantis has stated he’s attempting to cease the stream of migrants into Florida on the supply. He has stated the state has individuals in Texas “profiling” migrants who’re doubtless headed to the Sunshine State, they usually supplied flights to Martha’s Winery as an alternative.

Pizzo, who’s suing DeSantis as a citizen of the state, additionally alleges within the go well with that the state didn’t observe different necessities to spend the cash. The lawsuit claims that no program to move migrants was ever created by Florida’s Division of Transportation, nor did the division obtain at the very least two quotes to rent an organization to relocate individuals, one other requirement of the legislation.

CNN has requested DeSantis’ workplace and the Florida Division of Transportation for contracts and bid proposals associated to the flights. Nothing has been offered thus far.

Funds information reviewed by CNN present two funds made to Destin, Florida, primarily based aviation firm Vertol Techniques beneath the migrant relocation program. The preliminary fee of $615,000 was made by the Florida Division of Transportation on September 8, six days earlier than the Martha’s Winery flight. One other fee for $950,000 adopted on September 16.

Along with flights, DeSantis additionally confirmed to Fox host Sean Hannity that migrants had been put up in motels and supplied haircuts and different companies earlier than they had been carried to Martha’s Winery.

The planes touched down briefly in Crestview, Florida, a small metropolis within the Panhandle.

Pizzo within the lawsuit alleged that the state additionally violated a brand new legislation championed by DeSantis that bans state businesses from contracting with corporations that transport “unauthorized aliens.” Whereas there’s a dispute as as to if the people picked up on the border represent as “unauthorized aliens,” Pizzo contended that by bringing these people into Florida, the state violated this new legislation.

If the DeSantis administration argues the migrants should not “unauthorized aliens,” then it might be as soon as once more in violation of the parameters of the migrant relocation program, Pizzo advised CNN.

“Have been they transporting unauthorized aliens into the state? As a result of that’s a no no,” Pizzo stated. “Oh, they’re not, nicely then they weren’t eligible to be transported in any respect.”

“If we’re speaking about 48 individuals from someplace in Florida, and flown someplace else, I’d not elevate the difficulty of feeding them, housing them and giving them haircuts,” he added. “However FDOT, a street constructing company, is spending cash on meals housing and different companies exterior of Florida on people with no nexus, no connection, no purview to the state. A fifth grader would perceive why this isn’t allowed.”

The lawsuit requested an emergency case administration convention and listening to and referred to as for “expedited deadlines” to stop future flights.