Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bill requiring high schoolers to take a financial literacy course to graduate

 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed a bill on Tuesday that will require high schoolers to take a financial literacy and money management course in order to earn a standard high school diploma.

The requirement will be applicable to students who start the 9th grade during the 2023-2024 school year, and the course will cover issues such as credit scores, calculating federal income taxes, checkbook balancing, and more.

The Sunshine State governor noted that the material presented to students will benefit them regardless of the path they pursue.

The Florida legislature has passed a bill that includes a provision that would prohibit teaching kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade about sexual orientation and gender identity — DeSantis, who plans to sign the legislation, said Tuesday that "if you are out protesting this bill, you are by definition putting yourself in favor of injecting sexual instruction to five, six, and seven-year-old kids." 

Governor DeSantis signs bill requiring financial literacy class for high school studentsyoutu.be

The governor on Tuesday also issued a proclamation recognizing University of Virginia swimmer Emma Weyant as the "rightful winner" of the 500-yard freestyle that she lost to transgender University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas during the NCAA Championships — Thomas is a biological man who identifies as as woman. 

"NOW THEREFORE, since she is a native Floridian from Sarasota, I, Ron DeSantis, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby declare in Florida that Emma Weyant is the rightful winner of the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's 500-yard Freestyle, congratulate her on yet another significant achievement, and express pride that she is a Florida resident," the document

The governor's move was hailed by conservatives, including U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas who tweeted, "God bless @GovRonDeSantis. #TakeBackAmerica"

"MORE OF THIS!!! Stand firm on self-evident truth," Jenna Ellis tweeted.