Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation to overturn a November Key West voter decision to limit cruise ship visits.The Florida Senate Transportation Bill (SB1194) contains language that nullifies measures to limit cruise passengers, prohibit ships carrying more than 1,300 people from docking and prioritize ships according to their environmental and health records. These measures were approved by Key West voters in a majority vote last November.The rollercoaster ride that ended today on DeSantis’ desk started in January when Republican Senator Jim Boyd of Bradenton attempted to reverse the Key West referendum results with legislation that would not permit local governments to regulate Florida's seaport commerce.Boyd introduced Boyd's bill as an amendment to the 38-page unrelated state Senate transport bill (SB 1194). This bill, which passed both the Senate & House, states that "any local ballot initiative nor referendum may not limit maritime commerce" at any of Florida's 15 deepwater ports. This amendment also nullifies any existing referendum and thus nullifies the Key West vote.The bill to repeal the Key West vote was defended by those who claim it is elitist. It would allow smaller ships, but at a higher cost. Florida Keys News reported on Rep. Spencer Roach (a Republican from North Fort Myers who was the House sponsor of this bill), that he had defended the amendment, saying that the bill was supported by "a cabal" of wealthy landowners in Key West who don't want cruise ship riffraff walking down the pier.Voters in Key West, including the Mayor Teri Johnsonston, hoped that the governor would veto SB1194.According to the Florida Phoenix, Johnston stated that "the people who made this legislation have not been here". Boyd and Roach are not the districts that cover any Keys area, so she was referring to Roach and Boyd. They don't realize how important the environment in the Keys is for us and our economy.
