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CNN
7 days ago
- General
- CNN
Former University of Michigan president rejected for University of Florida's top job amid conservative backlash
St. Petersburg, Florida (AP) — Longtime academic Santa Ono was rejected Tuesday for the University of Florida presidency by the state university system board amid sharp criticism from political conservatives about his past support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and other initiatives they view as unacceptable liberal ideology. The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's universities, voted 10-6 against Ono, who was most recently president of the University of Michigan. The University of Florida Board of Trustees had voted unanimously in May to approve Ono as the school's 14th president, and it is unprecedented for the governors to reverse such an action. Now the search will start all over. Ono's proposed contract included a number of ideological requirements, such as how well he stopped programs that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. He was to cooperate with Gov. Ron DeSantis' Office of Government Efficiency — similar to the office created by President Donald Trump — and appoint other university officials and deans who are 'firmly aligned' with Florida's approach. Several prominent conservatives raised questions about Ono before the vote over pro-Palestinian protests, climate change efforts, gender ideology and DEI programs at the University of Michigan and his previous academic positions. These actions, Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said on the X social platform, show 'he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education.' Others raising objections include Donald Trump Jr. and Florida GOP U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, Greg Steube and Jimmy Patronis. Donalds is a Republican candidate for governor. Writing in Inside Higher Ed, Ono said he supported DEI initiatives at first because they aim was 'equal opportunity and fairness for every student.' 'But over time, I saw how DEI became something else — more about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student success,' Ono wrote, adding that he eventually limited DEI offices at Michigan. 'I believe in Florida's vision for higher education.' DeSantis, a Republican who has pushed reforms in higher education to eliminate what he calls 'woke' policies such as DEI, did not take a public stand on Ono but did say at a recent news conference that some of his statements made the governor 'cringe.' Ono faced similar pointed questions at Tuesday's meeting — especially from former Republican state House speakers Paul Renner and Jose Oliva — leading board member Charles Lydecker to object to the procedure. 'We have never used this as a forum to interrogate. This is not a court of law. Candidly, this process does not seem fair to me,' Lydecker said. Oliva, however, questioned how to square Ono's many past statements about hot-button cultural issues with his more conservative stance now that he sought the Florida job. 'Now we are told to believe you are now abandoning an entire ideological architecture,' Oliva said. 'We are asking someone to lead our flagship university. I don't understand how it becomes unfair.' Steube, writing on X, praised the board for its decision. 'Great news for my alma mater and the state of Florida! The Board of Governors heard us loud and clear: Santa Ono was the wrong choice for UF,' the congressman said. Ono was to replace Kent Fuchs, who became the school's temporary, interim president last summer after ex-U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse stepped down. Sasse left the U.S. Senate, where he had represented Nebraska, to become the university's president in 2023. Sasse announced in July he was leaving the job after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. Later reports surfaced that Sasse gave six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions and spent over $1.3 million on private catering for lavish dinners, football tailgates and extravagant social functions in his first year on the job. Ono is also the former president of the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. DeSantis, wanna help Floridians? Give us a break on food, clothing taxes.
The governor's proposal to eliminate Florida's property tax would be catastrophic to the state budget. Why not eliminate the sales tax on groceries. Perhaps clothing as well. Both of these would impact all Floridians. Bill and Connie Sullivan, Sarasota Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Republican allies are working to make it harder for the public to participate in the ballot initiative process. One can only assume the governor and his pals prefer to decide things for themselves rather than listening to actual voters. House Bill 1205, which became law May 2, requires petition circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, requires petition circulators to re-register with the state under stricter requirements and shortens the petition delivery period to 10 days. Opponents argue the law subjects people to steep fines and criminal penalties in violation of the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. They seek a court order blocking enforcement of the law. Because we live in a state that has been hijacked by an extremist majority, we must take action at the ballot box and with citizen initiatives making it possible for our voices to be heard. Laurie Ulrop, Punta Gorda Virtually every action taken by President Donald Trump since Jan. 20, 2025, has been a violation of the Constitution and the laws of the United States. Thanks to dozens of brave and principled judges, nearly all of Trump's agenda is currently the subject of injunctions that restrain the implementation of his illegal orders. These rulings have been decided by judges appointed by presidents of both parties. While these court orders have not reversed the damage inflicted by Trump's unlawful actions, it is a hopeful sign that our country still abides by the rule of law. These decisions will undoubtedly make their way to the Supreme Court, where the justices will get to choose whether or not they stand for democracy. While some of us may be frustrated by how long this is all taking, we can take comfort knowing the basic values of our country are standing firm against a would-be authoritarian. Lorraine Moneypenny, Port Charlotte At 92, I've witnessed many things in my lifetime. I hope I've gained some wisdom and perspective. Worrying about the generations following me, I've engaged in some magical thinking. Or perhaps a rational response to what is a major threat. In the words of astronomer Carl Sagan, '… our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.' An analogy: Imagine Earth as a large house. We all inhabit this house. Outside a flood, fire or hurricane approaches. Inside everyone is arguing about what color to paint the walls. Isn't this similar to what's happening on our planet? Wouldn't it make sense to tap each other's strengths and cooperate instead of looking at each other as adversaries? Guns are no protection against rising seas, floods and climate change. I still think this is our major challenge but what President Donald Trump has done in his first 100 days looms as a more immediate danger. The survival of our democracy is at stake. He must be impeached. Rhana Bazzini, Sarasota Write to us: How to send a letter to the editor This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Floridians need a break on high food, clothing taxes | Letters
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Trump whistleblower Alexander Vindman eyeing Florida Senate run
Alexander Vindman, the whistleblower who triggered Donald Trump's first impeachment, is considering a run for the United States Senate next year against Florida Republican Ashley Moody. In an exclusive interview with CBS News Miami, the retired lieutenant colonel said he was approached about running and was discussing it with close friends and advisors. "I think that the Democrats need to win in some very, very difficult places in order to wrestle control back," he explained during an interview scheduled to air Sunday morning on Facing South Florida. "I'm not sure if Florida is the place to do that. It might be. My worldview is that Trump is going to hurt a lot of people, and this will be a referendum [on Trump] and there'll be an opportunity for people power to manifest. Folks will show up that stayed on the sidelines last time, or that got more than they bargained for with Donald Trump. So, I don't think the state is too far gone by any means. I certainly don't believe that. I just don't know if I'm the right person to do that or if that's the right role for me." Moody, the state's former attorney general, was appointed in January to the Senate by Governor Ron DeSantis to replace Marco Rubio after Rubio became Trump's Secretary of State. Moody has won statewide office twice, when she was elected AG in 2018 and 2022. But she has never had a serious contender in any of her elections and politically she had tended to fade into the background, often standing in the shadows during press conferences. The Senate election in 2026 will be to finish the remaining two years on Rubio's term. The winner of that election would have to run again in 2028. Vindman, 49, who has lived in Broward County since 2023, admitted that the path in Florida would be a difficult one as Republicans currently outnumber Democrats by more than 1.2 million voters. "I don't shy away from a challenge, so it wouldn't be that," he said, referring to the state's Republican bent. "But I also, don't want to be some sort of sacrificial player. I'd want to do something that actually is meaningful because the costs are pretty high." "Costs meaning being away from my daughter, being able to provide for my family," he continued. "So, I'd want to do something I think could achieve some results." In November, his identical twin brother, Eugene, was elected to Congress from Virginia. Alex Vindman said he worked closely on that campaign and learned a great deal. "I think my twin brother's campaign gave me a healthy sense of how hard you have to work in order to reach your community," he said. "And he went to places that were hard, that were resistant to somebody that had a D at the end of their name. But he did the hard work, and he was successful. And he's doing a great job of representing his community now, focusing on constituent services. So, I think it gives me certainly a better understanding for my work right now – helping veterans get elected." Vindman is working with the group Vote Vets, an organization seeking to elect more veterans to public office. "I think veterans, by and large, get things done," he said. "They are not extreme voices. They tend to be more moderate voices. Because they work in an environment that's representative of the country, having to bring teams together to compromise in order to achieve a common mission. I think veterans in that regard are very, very strong. They deliver for the public." If he did get into the race, Vindman may not be alone in the Democratic primary. CBS News Miami has also learned that Josh Weil, who ran for Congress in the special election last month against Randy Fine, is also considering a statewide run. Weil proved to be an adept fundraiser in his campaign, raising more than $10 million in small dollar donations. Weil lost by 14 points – but many Democrats saw it as a positive sign, since the last Republican who ran in that seat had won it in November by 33 points. In a statement to CBS News Miami, Weil said: "Voters want leaders who will stand up and fight for regular people against billionaires and corporations, and focus on lowering the cost of living. That message resonated with voters across all backgrounds in the recent special election. I'm now considering how I can take the enthusiasm we generated and best serve Florida moving forward." Given his connection to Donald Trump, a Vindman candidacy would immediately nationalize, and potentially energize, a race in a state that many national Democrats have written off. Vindman was born in the Kyiv in 1975 when Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union. His father fled Russia when Alex and his twin brother, Eugene, were four years old. They were part of a wave of Soviet Jews who settled in the United States in the late seventies. Vindman grew up in Brooklyn, joined the military, was awarded a Purple Heart when an I-E-D blew up his convoy in Iraq, and ultimately rose through the ranks to become the director of European Affairs for the National Security Council during President Trump's first term. An expert on Russia and Ukraine, Vindman was in the situation room on July 25, 2019, when he heard what he considered a deeply troubling phone conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski, in which Trump asked Zelenski to investigate the Biden family as a favor to him while also threatening to withhold military aid. Vindman reported what he heard, and it was because of Vindman that Trump was impeached by the House for the first time. Trump was acquitted by the Senate and shortly afterwards Vindman was fired from the NSC staff. After 22 years in the military, he eventually resigned his commission. Since then he has been an outspoken critic of Trump. He's written two books, including "Here, Right Matters," which chronicles his family story and why he felt a sense of duty to report what the President said during the call with Zelenski. Evan Power, the chair of the Republican Party of Florida, dismissed Vindman as a viable candidate. "Donald Trump won Florida by 13 points," he said. "The last thing our state wants is someone who was part of the obstruction of the first Trump Administration. Vindman should take his lies and his political opportunism elsewhere." Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried told CBS News Miami, "Alex Vindman has been an incredible example of what it means to selflessly serve our country. As we fight back against Donald Trump's extreme agenda, Alex is a perfect example of the caliber of Democrat that we need stepping up to lead."
CBS News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
One-on-one with Jason Pizzo
One-on-one with Jason Pizzo Jim interviews State Senator Jason Pizzo, who represents portions of South Florida, in the aftermath and amid the fallout following his sudden departure from the Democratic Party, switching to "no party affiliation." The two discuss what was behind his move and if he plans to run for governor as an independent. Guest: State Sen. Jason Pizzo/NPA-Broward County About the issue Two weeks after proclaiming the Democratic Party "dead" in Florida and switching his registration to NPA, State Senator Jason Pizzo declared he was running for governorOne in 2026 as an independent during an interview with CBS News Miami. Although it was widely viewed that he made the switch with the intention of running for governor, this was the first time he stated it as a matter of fact. "Yes, I am," he said when asked the question. "We need somebody who can balance a checkbook, who understands finance, not just economic theory; who's concerned about infrastructure and resiliency and the environment and education and all of these things that are top of mind for people that are just trying to keep a roof over their head, keep their kids clothed and educated," Pizzo said. He said the needs of most Floridians are not being met by "the rhetoric that the Republicans want to push" or by the Democrats overreacting "to every little step or statement that the Republicans make." "They want people that say, listen, how am I going to pay my taxes? How am I going to pay my mortgage or my rent? When I flush my toilet, will it work? When it rains, is it going to inundate me with flooding? And can I really even afford to live here with property insurance?" Pizzo, a former prosecutor whose family built a multimillion-dollar housing business in the Northeast, said he is prepared to invest $25 million into his campaign and raise another $30 million from friends and family.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida state lawmaker who recently ditched Democratic label announces gubernatorial bid
Florida state Sen. Jason Pizzo, who announced last month that he was switching from Democrat to no party affiliation, has revealed that he plans a Sunshine State gubernatorial bid. "Yes I am," Pizzo said after CBS News Miami's Jim Defede asked the state senator whether he plans to run for governor. In a written statement to Fox News Digital, Pizzo declared, "Florida is ready for someone to put people before party, and get … back to basics in public service. The state is facing significant fiscal and resiliency challenges, and I'm [the] best one to guide us through." Sunshine State Dem Announces Switch To No Affiliation: 'Democratic Party In Florida Is Dead' Current Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is currently serving his second term, is not eligible to run for governor again in 2026. The state constitution stipulates, "No person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as governor or acting governor for more than six years in two consecutive terms shall be elected governor for the succeeding term." Read On The Fox News App Florida State Senator Who Quit Democratic Party Slams It As 'Rudderless' And 'Without Direction' U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. announced a bid for the job in February after President Donald Trump publicly urged him to do so. Desantis Signs Bill Banning Fluoride Additives In Florida Public Water: 'Hydrate, Not Medicate' "Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!" Trump declared in a February Truth Social article source: Florida state lawmaker who recently ditched Democratic label announces gubernatorial bid
