The Florida lawmaker who sponsored the 'Parental Rights in Education' bill resigned on Thursday, one day after authorities announced his indictment on charges of defrauding a federal COVID-19 loan program for small businesses. Gov. Ron DeSantis will have to call a special election to replace him.
School districts react to Parental Rights in Education law
The Sarasota School District has adjusted its guidance following the recently passed parental rights in education bill.Florida law prohibiting gender identity, sexual orientation instruction in grades K-3 confuses some teachers Harding is accused of illegally obtaining or trying to obtain more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration in pandemic aid loans. He is being charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements.
Harding became nationally known this year over his sponsorship of a law that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate.On Wednesday, he issued a statement saying, "I want the public and my constituents to know that I fully repaid the loan and cooperated with investigators as requested.
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