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Gov. DeSantis proposes bill to fight influence of ‘leftist governments’ in Florida

Bill would prohibit purchase of land near military bases in ‘countries of concern’

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks on Thursday at Miami-Dade College. (Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

MIAMI, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed legislation that would prohibit the purchase of lands near military bases by “China and other countries of concern.”

This proposal, coupled with a recent bill that was passed to target “malign foreign influence in the state of Florida,” aims to reduce the presence of “leftist” governments, DeSantis said at the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus news briefing.

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“We’re also going to be proposing new legislation the next legislative session to prohibit government entities from contracting with companies owned by, controlled by or domiciled in foreign countries of concern, if the contract would provide access to Floridians’ personal information whether the state government has it or not,” DeSantis said. “We want all of your information secured.”

The governor said the personal information he aims to protect would include Social Security numbers, bank account information and medical records.

Director General Chi of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami was also in attendance and said the bill would help hamper China’s influence, which he noted was expanding beyond Taiwan.

“It’s an honor and a privilege for us today to witness Gov. DeSantis signing the significant view and propose some very important steps that will help stop the negative influence from downgrading countries such as Communist China, which poses a security risk not only to Florida but also to the world,” Chi said.


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