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'''Florida''' is a state located in the southeastern [[United States]], traditionally [[conservative]] and prominent amid the [[COVID-19]] pandemic in opposing lockdowns, mask mandates, and [[vaccine passport]]s. It is bound by [[Georgia]] and [[Alabama]] to the north, the [[Gulf of America]] to the west, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the east, and the Straits of Florida to the south. Originally a colony of [[Spain]], it was purchased by the U.S. in 1819 and in 1845 became the 27th state to join the Union. The capital of Florida is [[Tallahassee]], and the main metropolitan areas are [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], [[Miami]], St. Petersburg and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]. Florida's nickname is the "Sunshine State," and its state tree is the sabal palm. Florida has grown very rapidly, pulling in thousands of hard-working retirees from the cold [[New England]] and [[Midwest]] areas, along with refugees fleeing the communist governments of [[Cuba]], [[Venezuela]], and other Latin American countries giving it the 3rd largest population of the 50 states. But Florida is also an [[abortion]] center for [[the South]], which ostensibly [[conservative]] (actually [[RINO]]) Gov. [[Ron DeSantis]] has not curtailed.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/12/republicans-desantis-florida-abortion-legacy-00086640</ref>
'''Florida''' is a state located in the southeastern [[United States]], traditionally [[conservative]] and prominent amid the [[COVID-19]] pandemic in opposing lockdowns, mask mandates, and [[vaccine passport]]s. It is bound by [[Georgia]] and [[Alabama]] to the north, the [[Gulf of America]] to the west, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the east, and the Straits of Florida to the south. Originally a colony of [[Spain]], it was purchased by the U.S. in 1819 and in 1845 became the 27th state to join the Union. The capital of Florida is [[Tallahassee]], and the main metropolitan areas are [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], [[Miami]], St. Petersburg and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]. Florida's nickname is the "Sunshine State," and its state tree is the sabal palm. Florida has grown very rapidly, pulling in thousands of hard-working retirees from the cold [[New England]] and [[Midwest]] areas, along with refugees fleeing the communist governments of [[Cuba]], [[Venezuela]], and other Latin American countries, giving it the 3rd largest population of the 50 states. But Florida is also an [[abortion]] center for [[the South]], which ostensibly [[conservative]] (actually [[RINO]]) Gov. [[Ron DeSantis]] has not curtailed.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/12/republicans-desantis-florida-abortion-legacy-00086640</ref>
The state Constitution of Florida, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
The state Constitution of Florida, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.''
:''We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.''
A large sector of Florida's economy is based on the cultivation of citrus fruit. As of 2006, Florida produced 67 percent of the [[United States]]' total citrus fruit. This breaks down to 74 percent of [[oranges]] grown in the US, 58 percent of tangerines and 54 percent of grapefruits.<ref>[http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Florida/fruit_orange.html Florida state fruit: orange]</ref> The orange blossom is Florida's state flower, the orange is the state fruit and orange juice is the official state beverage.
A large sector of Florida's economy is based on the cultivation of citrus fruit. As of 2006, Florida produced 67 percent of the [[United States]]' total citrus fruit. This breaks down to 74 percent of [[oranges]] grown in the US, 58 percent of tangerines and 54 percent of grapefruits.<ref>[http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Florida/fruit_orange.html Florida state fruit: orange]</ref> The orange blossom is Florida's state flower, the orange is the state fruit and orange juice is the official state beverage.
Tourism is one of the state's largest economic sectors, with over 112 million tourists visiting in 2016 and with 1.4 million people employed in the industry (as of 2016). Particularly popular attractions include the Everglades, Walt Disney World, and Miami's South Beach district.
Tourism is one of the state's largest economic sectors, with over 112 million tourists visiting in 2016 and with 1.4 million people employed in the industry (as of 2016). Particularly popular attractions include the Everglades, Walt Disney World, and Miami's South Beach district.
NASA's presence in Cape Canaveral makes Florida a very good environment for the aerospace industry. Florida is the 4th largest employer of workers in the aerospace industry, with over 23,000 employed.
NASA's presence in Cape Canaveral makes Florida a very good environment for the aerospace industry. Florida is the 4th largest employer of workers in the aerospace industry, with over 23,000 employed.
As Florida has no state [[income tax]], and due to its generally warm weather, it has become a haven for retirees. The largest senior adult community in the world, [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]], is located in Central Florida.
As Florida has no state [[income tax]], and due to its generally warm weather, it has become a haven for retirees. The largest senior adult community in the world, [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]], is located in Central Florida.
== State Government ==
== State Government ==
Florida has a republican form of government (as guaranteed to every State by Article IV, Section 4 of the United States Constitution) that is modeled on the United States government and has three distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
Florida has a republican form of government (as guaranteed to every State by Article IV, Section 4 of the United States Constitution) that is modeled on the United States government and has three distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
The head of the executive branch is the Governor of Florida. He is elected by the voters of Florida for a term of four years, and is limited to two consecutive terms. In the State of Florida, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected on the same ticket in the general election. The Governor of Florida exercises the following powers and duties:
The head of the executive branch is the Governor of Florida. He is elected by the voters of Florida for a term of four years, and is limited to two consecutive terms. In the State of Florida, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected on the same ticket in the general election. The Governor of Florida exercises the following powers and duties:
He is commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the State.
He is commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the State.
He takes care that the laws are faithfully executed and commissions all the officers of the State and counties.
He takes care that the laws are faithfully executed and commissions all the officers of the State and counties.
He may veto bills passed by the Legislature.
He may veto bills passed by the Legislature.
The other elected officers of the executive branch are the Chief Financial Officer, the Attorney General, and the Agriculture Commissioner, who are also elected for four year terms and subject to term limits. Those three officers plus the Governor comprise the '''Florida Cabinet'''. For any matter requiring a vote of the Cabinet, in the event of a tie vote, the side on which the Governor voted (for or against) is the outcome.
The other elected officers of the executive branch are the Chief Financial Officer, the Attorney General, and the Agriculture Commissioner, who are also elected for four-year terms and subject to term limits. Those three officers plus the Governor comprise the '''Florida Cabinet'''. For any matter requiring a vote of the Cabinet, in the event of a tie vote, the side on which the Governor voted (for or against) is the outcome.
In case of a vacancy in the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term.
In case of a vacancy in the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term.
The legislative branch consists of the Florida Legislature. The Legislature consists of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives. Senators serve four year terms and are limited to two consecutive terms, while Representatives serve two year terms and are limited to four consecutive terms. Bills are passed by a majority of each chamber. The Legislature may override the Governor's veto by a two-thirds vote of each chamber.
The legislative branch consists of the Florida Legislature. The Legislature consists of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives. Senators serve four-year terms and are limited to two consecutive terms, while Representatives serve two-year terms and are limited to four consecutive terms. Bills are passed by a majority of each chamber. The Legislature may override the Governor's veto by a two-thirds vote of each chamber.
The Florida Supreme Court, district courts of appeal, circuit courts, an county courts. The Florida Supreme Court is composed of seven justices who are appointed by the Governor and subject to a retention election. Justices may not be seventy-five years old or older.
The Florida Supreme Court, district courts of appeal, circuit courts, and county courts. The Florida Supreme Court is composed of seven justices who are appointed by the Governor and subject to a retention election. Justices may not be seventy-five years of age or older.
==Politics==
==Politics==
Florida is a swing state in presidential elections. The South Florida region ([[Miami]], [[Fort Lauderdale]], and [[Palm Beach]], along with the [[Florida Keys]]) along with the [[Tallahassee]] capital area, are heavily Democratic and the urban areas of [[Tampa]] and [[Orlando]] lean Democratic, while the northern parts of the state (especially the panhandle, due to the presence of significant military bases, but excluding the Tallahassee area), rural areas of central Florida, and the southwestern portion of the state ([[Naples]], [[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]], [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]], and [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]]) are heavily Republican. The swing state phenomenon was most pronounced during the 2000 presidential election when the margin of victory for eventual winner George W. Bush was a mere 537 votes (triggering a mandatory recount under Florida state law, an ensuing number of lawsuits and judicial rulings, and never-ending speculation as to the real winner).
Florida is a swing state in presidential elections. The South Florida region ([[Miami]], [[Fort Lauderdale]], and [[Palm Beach]], along with the [[Florida Keys]]) along with the [[Tallahassee]] capital area, is heavily Democratic and the urban areas of [[Tampa]] and [[Orlando]] lean Democratic, while the northern parts of the state (especially the panhandle, due to the presence of significant military bases, but excluding the Tallahassee area), rural areas of central Florida, and the southwestern portion of the state ([[Naples]], [[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]], [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]], and [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]]) are heavily Republican. The swing state phenomenon was most pronounced during the 2000 presidential election when the margin of victory for eventual winner George W. Bush was a mere 537 votes (triggering a mandatory recount under Florida state law, an ensuing number of lawsuits and judicial rulings, and never-ending speculation as to the real winner).
Historically, Florida was a Democratic Party stronghold. This was the case until the 1960s and was especially the case in the early 20th Century. Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election" during this time. In the Party, however, there were competing factions, and during the New Deal, a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged. As the Democratic Party became more liberal, and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing, more conservative Republican Party. Florida was originally part of the Solid South, as Democrats overwhelmingly won state and federal elections during the hundred years following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].
Historically, Florida was a Democratic Party stronghold. This was the case until the 1960s and was especially the case in the early 20th Century. Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election" during this time. In the Party, however, there were competing factions, and during the New Deal, a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged. As the Democratic Party became more liberal, and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing, more conservative Republican Party. Florida was originally part of the Solid South, as Democrats overwhelmingly won state and federal elections during the hundred years following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].
===2020 Elections===
===2020 Elections===
In the 2020 presidential elections, Floridian Latinos' (mainly devoutly religious [[Cuban-Americans]] who are strongly opposed to [[socialism]]) in the very populous [[Miami-Dade]] area, turned out strongly for [[Donald J. Trump]]. That was after [[Obama]] campaigned in Miami for [[Biden]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/us/elections/in-florida-trump-shows-strength-with-latino-voters.html "In Florida, Trump shows strength with Latino voters."] New York Times, Nov.3.2020 ...''Florida, a must-win battleground for President Trump with 29 electoral votes, appeared to be edging toward the president on the strength of his support among Latinos in the Miami area. In populous Miami-Dade, Mr. Trump was overperforming his 2016 vote totals, with 512,000-plus votes so far counted in 2020 compared with about 334,000 total four years ago — an enormous improvement. The Biden campaign had sent former President Barack Obama to Miami on the eve of the election to try to rally supporters to the polls. “The reason why I’m back here in South Florida is that I know some of you have not voted yet,” Mr. Obama had said on Monday. But Mr. Biden was showing strength in other parts of the state, and the margins were too narrow to declare a winner. Mr. Biden, for instance, was leading in Duval County, home of the city of Jacksonville, which Mr. Trump carried in 2016.''</ref>
In the 2020 presidential elections, Floridian Latinos (mainly devoutly religious [[Cuban-Americans]] who are strongly opposed to [[socialism]]) in the very populous [[Miami-Dade]] area, turned out strongly for [[Donald J. Trump]]. That was after [[Obama]] campaigned in Miami for [[Biden]] ZZ.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/us/elections/in-florida-trump-shows-strength-with-latino-voters.html "In Florida, Trump shows strength with Latino voters."] New York Times, Nov.3.2020 ...''Florida, a must-win battleground for President Trump with 29 electoral votes, appeared to be edging toward the president on the strength of his support among Latinos in the Miami area. In populous Miami-Dade, Mr. Trump was overperforming his 2016 vote totals, with 512,000-plus votes so far counted in 2020 compared with about 334,000 total four years ago — an enormous improvement. The Biden campaign had sent former President Barack Obama to Miami on the eve of the election to try to rally supporters to the polls. “The reason why I’m back here in South Florida is that I know some of you have not voted yet,” Mr. Obama had said on Monday. But Mr. Biden was showing strength in other parts of the state, and the margins were too narrow to declare a winner. Mr. Biden, for instance, was leading in Duval County, home of the city of Jacksonville, which Mr. Trump carried in 2016.''</ref>
Next day there was celebration among Cuban-Americans Trump-supporters in Miami.<ref>[https://www.kake.com/story/42866534/trump-supporters-took-to-streets-of-little-havana-after-florida-win "Trump supporters took to streets of Little Havana after Florida win"]. Wednesday, November 4th 2020. (WFOR). Kake.com</ref>
The Next day, there was celebration among Cuban-American Trump supporters in Miami.<ref>[https://www.kake.com/story/42866534/trump-supporters-took-to-streets-of-little-havana-after-florida-win "Trump supporters took to streets of Little Havana after Florida win"]. Wednesday, November 4th 2020. (WFOR). Kake.com</ref>
Nicaraguan-American Ana Navarro said next day: Florida... I feel like have been beaten like a piñata...<ref>CNN, Nov.4.2020 7:56 am [https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/11/04/republican-narrative-latino-miami-dade-elexnight-election-2020-navarro-vpx.cnn Time stamp: 00:36]</ref>
Nicaraguan-American Ana Navarro said the next day: Florida... I feel like I have been beaten like a piñata...<ref>CNN, Nov.4.2020 7:56 am [https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/11/04/republican-narrative-latino-miami-dade-elexnight-election-2020-navarro-vpx.cnn Time stamp: 00:36]</ref>
==State symbols==
==State symbols==