By Rich McKay

(Reuters) – Florida legislators will meet Monday in a special session called by Republican Governor. Ron DeSantis has the aim of stopping coronavirus vaccine mandats.

The governor’s office released the following agenda last week. It outlines four bills the legislators will consider in a one-week session. These would be new penalties for local governments and businesses that make it mandatory that workers get COVID-19 vaccines.

DeSantis stated in a press release that injections are called jabs and said, “No police officer, firefighter or nurse should lose their jobs because of these jabs.”

He said, “We are going to strike a blow for liberty.” According to media reports, DeSantis is a long-standing supporter of voluntary vaccinations and has even received one.

If the bills are passed, they would support a number of similar rules or state executive orders already set up by DeSantis. Aubrey Jewett is a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida.

Jewett stated, “This is a mixture of policy and politics.” He also said that DeSantis follows the lead of former President Donald Trump in opposing mandates for vaccines and masks.

Jewett stated that DeSantis is aware of Trump’s dislike for masks and this vaccine. There’s no doubt that politics has an eye not just on the governor, but also the White House.

DeSantis announced recently that he would be running in the 2022 Governor’s Race. Political insiders consider him a possible presidential candidate in 2024.

Private businesses who don’t permit employees to be exempt from any COVID-19 vaccination requirement would face stiff penalties.

Jewett stated, “This is something his base will love.” He is becoming a freedom fighter.”