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Once upon a time, Ron DeSantis<\/strong><\/a> ruled Florida like a mini tyrant whose every legislative demand was basically met with a \u201cYes, Mr. DeSantis, we\u2019re right on top of that, Mr. DeSantis.\u201d Banning talk of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools? Done<\/a>. A six-week abortion ban? Check<\/a>. Scrapping DEI initiatives at public colleges? Say no more<\/a>.<\/p>\n But, for a couple reasons, DeSantis will cast a much smaller shadow than in recent years when Florida\u2019s new legislative session kicks off on Tuesday. For one thing, he\u2019s spent much of his time recently outside the state; as The<\/em> New York Times<\/em> notes<\/a>, \u201cwhile in previous years he barnstormed nearly every corner of Florida to stump for his proposals, unveiling new ones nearly every day as the legislature prepared to convene, Mr. DeSantis spent the weeks leading to this session crisscrossing early voting states.\u201d For another, his dimming presidential prospects have made legislators a lot less likely to ask \u201chow high\u201d when the governor tells them to jump.<\/p>\n Per the Times:<\/em><\/p>\n His absence will be a conspicuous change from the last few years, when Mr. DeSantis loomed large over the legislature,\u00a0his every major wish granted\u00a0by friendly lawmakers. The Republicans who control both chambers were eager to curry favor with the state\u2019s political superstar, who seemed poised to lead their party\u2019s presidential field. Instead, Mr. DeSantis\u2019s presidential bid has struggled. His pitch to make America more like Florida has lost much of its fizz, with the\u00a0frenzied culture wars\u00a0that have gripped the state proving less appealing to a national audience. To date, the governor has lagged far behind former President Donald J. Trump<\/strong> in the polls.<\/p>\n Mr. DeSantis\u2019s job approval among Floridians has dipped, polls show. He remains a powerful figure, able to destroy lawmakers\u2019 dreams with his veto. But everyone in the Capitol knows that Mr. DeSantis is not as invincible as he once seemed. \u201cIf he were the front-runner in the presidential race, things would be very different,\u201d said State Representative Fentrice Driskell,<\/strong> a Tampa Democrat and the House minority leader. \u201cHe\u2019s finding out that all these culture wars that he fought for in Florida aren\u2019t winning him votes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n According to Politico<\/a>, DeSantis\u2019s focus on winning the GOP nomination has \u201cleft legislators frustrated\u201d and unclear what his priorities are for the state. Others claim he hasn\u2018t laid out a slate of policies he wants passed because he already achieved everything he wanted last year. As Politico notes, in Iowa this week, DeSantis said he had \u201coverdelivered\u201d on his promises to Floridians. Randy Fine,<\/strong> a state representative from Brevard County, told the Times,<\/em> \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a different session for sure. He got everything passed.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, if a less engaged, less feared, less Florida-focused DeSantis means fewer laws dictating<\/a> when the people of Florida can access reproductive care, what they can talk about in the classroom, or if they can walk around town without worrying about the number of people carrying a gun who were not required to pass a safety course and a background check, that is probably a good thing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n