Statements from Florida Watch & Progress Florida on Governor DeSantis’ Signing of HB 233

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Fort Myers where he signed HB 233, a continuation of his focus on fighting the culture war and manufactured problems rather than offering solutions to the real issues facing Floridians. 

In response to today’s actions, Florida Watch Executive Director Josh Weierbach issued the following statement:

“Once again, Governor Ron DeSantis is focusing on non-existent issues rather than confronting the real problems facing everyday Floridians following a deadly global pandemic and years of neglect from Republican leadership in our state. Instead, Governor DeSantis and Republicans in the Legislature spent this session targeting our public universities with partisan attacks and taking money out of the pockets of our citizens with tax increases to fund massive handouts to their corporate campaign donors.”

Responding to the Governor’s press conference, Progress Florida Executive Director Mark Ferrulo issued the following statement: 

“Floridians still believe in an American Dream that celebrates the successes of our country without focusing on distractions that seek to divide us instead of allowing all students the freedom to learn and understand other cultures and experiences. It’s unfortunate our Governor continues to manufacture fake controversies designed to distract Floridians from his abysmal record of raising taxes and manufacturing culture war controversies to appeal to Republican Presidential primary voters in 2024.”

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