Vindictive Governor is a Threat to Public Health, Civil Rights and the Economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Wayne Besen, Executive Director, wbesen@truthwinsout.org
DELRAY BEACH, FL- Truth Wins Out slammed Governor Ron DeSantis today for his shadow presidential campaign that has come at the expense of Florida’s taxpayers. The governor also suffered a humiliating series of scandals and setbacks that threaten Florida’s public health and future economic viability.
“Florida voters are tired of Ron DeSantis vacuuming up our tax dollars to fight his frivolous culture wars and win the GOP presidential nomination,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “This is a clear abuse of power, a waste of taxpayer’s money and a distraction from addressing Florida’s real issues.”
This month is painfully indicative of how the Florida governor’s combination of ego and incompetence has cost state residents dearly. It was revealed that DeSantis’ handpicked Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, personally altered a study to falsely make it appear that some Covid-19 vaccines are dangerous. In fact, it was well established by the scientific community that the vaccines were safe.
“Ron DeSantis’ blind political ambition led him to unforgivably hire an ideologue that surely cost Floridian’s their lives,” said TWO’s Besen. “As taxpayers, we are done subsidizing DeSantis’ dangerous political stunts and footing the bill for his bigotry.”
It isn’t just Covid where DeSantis is playing political games with peoples’ lives and livelihoods. On April 12, a storm dropped 25 inches of rain on Fort Lauderdale. During this historic deluge, which cost Broward County an estimated $100 million in damages, Gov. Ron DeSantis was off gallivanting on a book signing tour. Later, he took off for junkets to Japan, South Korea, Israel and Great Britain.
DeSantis still has not toured the flood zone in Broward County. He finally asked the federal government for disaster funds on Saturday April 22 – a week after the flood.
Perhaps, the governor’s indifference is because Broward County was only one of five Florida counties, out of 67, to vote against reelecting DeSantis.
“DeSantis is a spiteful demagogue who is likely taking revenge because Broward voters rejected his divisive message,” said TWO’s Wayne Besen. “While Fort Lauderdale flood victims were floating, DeSantis was off flying. DeSantis can jet to the ends of the earth, but as people learn the truth, I don’t think his presidential bid will leave the runway.”
DeSantis also escalated his ego war with Disney, placing the state’s economic future in jeopardy. The Sun-Sentinel reports:
The Walt Disney Co. is taking Gov. Ron DeSantis and state officials to federal court, accusing them of engaging in a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” in the feud over the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The lawsuit filed in Tallahassee reads: “A targeted campaign of government retaliation — orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech — now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
DeSantis obviously targeted Disney for speaking out against his odious “Don’t Say Gay” law. Now, he’s sticking taxpayer’s with the bill—again—for his shadow presidential campaign.
Finally, Gov. Ron DeSantis prodded his rubber-stamp Republican legislature to pass unconstitutional and authoritarian attacks against the LGBTQ Community. The state board approved the expansion of the state’s Don’t Say Gay law and the Florida House passed bills on gender-transition care, use of restrooms and keeping youth out of drag shows, that Republicans falsely label adult content.
Founded in 2006, Truth Wins Out works to eliminate anti-LGBTQ prejudice and discrimination, as well as all forms of hate and bigotry. We fight against fascism and speak out against right wing extremism.