The Florida Democratic Party is calling out Governor Ron DeSantis’ budget proposal, saying the Republican is refusing to actually address the key issues impacting Floridians.
The Florida Democrats even called the Governor’s rollout event in Marco Island a “campaign-style rally” and that his speech seemed to have “deleted scenes” from the recent Republican Presidential Primary debate. Governor DeSantis announced his Focus on Florida’s Future budget proposal, which totals $114.4 billion, more than $4.6 billion less than current budget.
In response, the Florida Democratic Party has issued the following statement:
“The irony of Ron’s ‘Focus on Florida’ budget is his complete inability to actually focus on Florida,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “He spent more time ranting about the State of California today than proposing positive solutions for Florida.”
The Florida Democratic Party Chair had a lot more to say, even saying Governor DeSantis is bragging about investments from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law.
“Ron says that his budget ‘respects the taxpayers’ of Florida, but his refusal to address property insurance, the housing crisis, and cost of living are a slap in the face to struggling Floridians,” added FDP Chair Fried. “Instead of addressing the real crises facing Florida, Ron is planning to put 1,000 state employees out of a job while bragging about running a budget surplus. He’s pouring hundreds of millions of taxpayers dollars into efforts to train our teachers in government indoctrination. And the common sense ideas Ron is bragging about weren’t even his idea — such as investments in infrastructure and rural broadband funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, a Democrat from Davie, expressed major concerns, but also saw some hope in the Governor’s budget.
“While I have major concerns over many of the Governor’s stated priorities like cutting state jobs, slashing arts and culture funding, and spending on unnecessary litigation, I also see signs of hope in this budget suggestion on issues such as the ongoing insurance crisis — prioritizing everyday people instead of caving to the insurance industry,” said Senate Democratic Leader Book. “When we work together and focus on what unites us, there is a great deal the Legislature can agree on in a bipartisan manner. When our legislative leaders craft the State Budget this Session, we will make sure to keep focus on ensuring a successful, safe, and prosperous future for all Floridians.”
The Democratic Party continued with the more combative politics against the Republican Governor.
“Ron spent much of his speech talking about the threat of antisemitism and touting initiatives to fund security efforts at Jewish Day Schools — efforts that I greatly appreciate,” FDP Chair Nikki Fried said. “However — and I’m starting to sound like a broken record here — his support rings hollow when he still won’t condemn the neo-Nazis that support his campaign. His refusal to denounce a right-wing ideology that threatens Jewish people makes any other action feel like a political stunt designed to help his presidential campaign.
“Thankfully, Ron DeSantis will never be President of the United States. I look forward to seeing how the legislature treats his budget proposals now that that fact is obvious to everyone.”
