The Senate Democratic Caucus on Wednesday released the following statement on the governor’s signing of Florida’s record $101.5 billion budget:
“Thanks to President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress passing the “American Rescue Plan,” the Governor can tout a state budget that helps Florida recover from the pandemic, allocating billions for the environment, public schools, and community healthcare. A big chunk of the $10 billion from the federal stimulus act added to a bounty of transportation and economic development projects all over the state. The money even allowed the governor to dole out $1,000 bonuses to law enforcement, firefighters, and other front line emergency workers.
“Unfortunately, as he took his victory lap to hand out the bonuses, and brag about the many programs rescued as a result of the federal help, the governor never once directed thanks to those who made this possible. It was a crass example of freeloading off the hard work of others he doesn’t want to acknowledge because he doesn’t agree with their politics. Shame on the governor. When the President and Congressional Democrats stepped up to the plate, there were no political litmus tests. There was only the question of how to help. And how to do so quickly.”
