Title: Survival of the Sunshine State Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/survival-of-states-rights|survival-of-states-rights]] Login Required to view? No Created: 2021-04-15 12:39:16 Updated: 2023-05-08 19:01:27 Published: 2021-04-23 00:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T21:10:48.667577303 ---- I’m a survivor.\\ \\ At least that’s how I feel after retiring from a 22-year career in higher education and after having COVID-19. Oddly enough, these separate experiences now remind me that survival also pertains to Florida’s state rights. What is the connection, you ask? Let me tell you.\\ \\ In short, as a retired science educator I appreciate it when our state government pursues legislation that insulates Florida from radical federal policies aimed at public education and health. Such actions enable Florida to survive as a sovereign state.\\ \\ Below are two examples that demonstrate my point.\\ \\ First, Governor DeSantis recently stated that [[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-critical-race-theory-florida-classrooms|Florida’s schools will not teach Critical Race Theory,]] a curriculum that is being implemented within the federal government, as well as in private corporations and public school systems across the country.\\ \\ Instead of using federal COVID-19 aid to support Critical Race Theory in Florida’s public schools, Governor DeSantis wanted Florida’s COVID-19 aid to fund civics curriculum development and to provide incentives for teacher education. Florida’s House and Senate committee recently passed [[https://floridapolitics.com/archives/420505-civics-education-bill-clears-final-senate-committee/|civics education legislation]] to that end. If we’re lucky, Florida’s new civics curriculum will teach children about Article V!\\ \\ Second, Governor DeSantis recently signed an [[https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2021/EO_21-81.pdf|executive order]] that prohibits requiring COVID-19 vaccine passports in Florida as an effort to “[[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/02/florida-vaccine-passports-banned-ron-desantis|protect the fundamental rights and privacies of Floridians and the free flow of commerce within the state]].”\\ \\ Other states took similar actions, effectively demonstrating solidarity at the state level as evidenced by the fact that the [[https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-04-07/white-house-rejects-us-vaccine-passports|White House is backing away]] from mandating COVID-19 vaccine passports.\\ \\ Governor DeSantis [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/florida-gubernatorial-candidate-and-congressman-endorses-convention-of-states|supports a Convention of States]] under Article V, and it shows. Time and time again, he exercises Florida’s right to survive and thrive independently from the federal government. He carries the torch for the Florida Legislature which passed the Convention of States Resolution on April 21, 2014. Our survival as a nation depends on the survival of every state's rights. That is exactly why the Convention of States movement is so critical at this time.\\ \\ An Article V Convention of States is the only way for the states to act without the permission of Congress to regain their rightful position of power in our federalist system. A Convention of States can propose constitutional amendments that clarify Congress’ limited power and return decision-making authority to the states. These amendments can also ensure that state laws are no longer at the mercy of non-elected Supreme Court justices and federal mandates.\\ \\ Congress will never grant the states this power, so it is up to us--We the People--to pass the Convention of States resolution in order to return the Constitution to the Founders’ intended interpretations.  Take action by signing the petition below! #|PETITION_WIDGET{petition_tag:;coalition_id:;anedot_url:}|#