Today, the Florida Legislature concluded Governor Ron DeSantis’ politically motivated special session on vaccine and testing requirements. 

In response, Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo and Florida Watch Executive Director Josh Weierbach issue the following statements:

“Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Floridians are facing a housing crisis with skyrocketing property insurance rates and rising rents, many still haven’t been able to access their unemployment benefits, and small businesses continue to struggle to recover from the pandemic,” said Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo. “Instead of focusing on these pressing issues, DeSantis and his legislative enablers spent this week undermining the scientific consensus on the safety and efficacy of vaccines, putting the safety of and efficacy of vaccines, putting the safety of Floridians and our economic recovery at risk. Our state deserves better than shameless politicians more interested in scoring political points than working on behalf of the people of Florida.”

“What this week has proved is that Governor Ron DeSantis is the Johnny Knoxville of GOP politicians,” said Florida Watch Executive Director Josh Weierbach. “There is no stunt too outrageous for Governor DeSantis to attempt in his shameless quest to pander to the far-right and anti-vaxx elements of the Republican base in the early presidential primary states. This week was a waste of time, taxpayer dollars, and a distraction from the critical issues that Floridians are facing by a Governor whose only real interest is his own ambition to leave behind the people he was elected to serve.”

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