This year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed 14 bills proposed or co-sponsored by state GOP lawmakers. Issues from the state budget to local property rights.
DeSantis vetoed SB-280, a bill that would have created more government regulations on homeowners who choose to rent their properties to travelers.
According to the Florida Realtors, the legislation would also have allowed local governments to levy unspecified fees on property owners for processing registration applications and raised concerns regarding the potential financial strain it may place on property owners and, consequently, on vacation rental rates.
DeSantis vetoed SB 62, which would have given prisoners who are locked up in a federal or state prisons to keep their status as in-state residents for tuition purposes. DeSantis was not on board, stating that criminal activity should not be rewarded by providing inmates with the same benefits as law-abiding citizens.
One of DeSantis’ largest rejections didn’t involve on specific bill, but what was inside the state budget.
The governor slashed almost $1 billion out of a proposed $117.5 billion budget to $116.5 billion. Some of the projects vetoed were local wastewater projects, arts and cultural funding, as well. Many of these projects could have been funded by the local governments, not money from the state.
Liberal groups and leaders, including some in the Orlando area called the vetoes “cruel” and said his priorities were “misplaced.”
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro praised the governor for his vetoes. In their annual “Turkey list,” TaxWatch pointed out that much of the wasteful spending in the state budget is coming from Republicans who aren’t following through with spending cuts but instead increasing government spending every year on projects not needed.
“The state budget has contained over 1,600 local member projects for three years straight, amounting to $2.8 billion. While Tallahassee lawmakers will defend this spending on local projects back in their districts, Calabro says these member projects are getting worse. “They need to be limited and reformed,” he said.”
Analysts say DeSantis vetoes don’t create a rift within the Republican Party of Florida, but show that he won’t give the GOP everything that they request.
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