‘Agitators’ and Police Budget Cutters Targeted in Florida Bill

Fast-tracked legislation to discourage protests and make it harder for local governments to reduce law enforcement budgets was passed Friday by the Florida House, setting up Gov. Ron DeSantis for a victory on one of his top priorities.

DeSantis (R) initially proposed the measure after nationwide demonstrations last year in response to the deaths of unarmed Black people killed by police. This year, he said the Jan. 6 mob attack on the U.S. Capitol underscored the need for the Florida legislation (H.B 1).

The House approved the bill 76 to 39, on a party-line vote. A companion bill ...