During his visit to the Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah Gardens, DeSantis signed HB 641 Funds for the Operation of Schools bill, which includes the new $500 million program. “This is a really big day for teacher’s compensation and we look forward to getting it to the teachers,” DeSantis said. DeSantis said the measure raised Florida teachers’ starting pay from 26th to fifth in the nation. Attorney Roberto Blanch, who specializes in real estate law, is the president of Mater Academy. The expanding network of charter schools he leads is linked to Academica, an influential for-profit charter school management company.

Ron DeSantis and Florida Senate President Bill Galvano are asking a federal judge to reject a lawsuit filed by disgraced former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who contends his constitutional rights were violated when he was removed from office last year. Attorneys for Israel on Monday filed a response in opposition to the motion to dismiss the lawsuit. They claim DeSantis and the Florida Senate deprived Israel of due process, compromising the will of Broward County voters and ignoring a special master’s recommendation that he be reinstated. “Yet, the governor did just that in suspending Sheriff Israel from office, despite the absence of factual and evidentiary support.”DeSantis appointed Gregory Tony to replace Israel. Israel is running against Tony to get his old job back in the 2020 election.

A special master will make a recommendation to Florida Senate President Bill Galvano whether to reinstate Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who was suspended by Gov. PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. - Will suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel get his job back? The final arguments are officially filed, and now it is up to a state special master to recommend to the Florida Senate whether to uphold the suspension. Dudley Goodlette, special master appointed in the Florida Senate hearing for suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, listens to Israel's attorneys, June 19, 2019, in Tallahassee, Florida. "Sheriff Israel ... implemented and followed best practices governing the hiring, training and supervision of law-enforcement personnel," Kuehne wrote.

The plan calls on the president to declare a national emergency on gun violence and appoint a director of gun violence prevention. The latest mass shootings reawakened national anguish over mass violence, with much of that attention on expanding so-called red flag laws and on access to guns. A special session would need consent from at least three-fifths of legislators in both chambers. Ron DeSantis weighed in, saying he doubts the Legislature will convene for a special session on guns. DeSantis said he supports an approach that would help identify imminent threats so authorities can prevent more mass shootings.