Editorial: Gov. DeSantis’ veto list puts payback first, Floridians and environment last

Reviewing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ application of his veto pen on the bloated 2023-24 budget plan crafted by lawmakers leads to one conclusion: While there were a few surprises, the governor stuck to the script many had pre-written for him.

Budget appropriations made at the behest of Democratic lawmakers suffered the heaviest cuts, at a rate of more than two to one — which unfairly punished two of the state’s most populated counties, Orange and Broward.

He also savaged many of the appropriations pushed forward by the handful of GOP lawmakers who dared to oppose the governor’s arm-twisting “requests” for legislative endorsements in the Republican presidential primary, including slashing $30 million intended for the acquisition of Kirkland Ranch — a vast Pasco County holding that would have been a major new gem in the state’s array of public lands. Its Senate sponsor, Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater) was a DeSantis holdout. Also cut: A $4.9 million request for a multi-agency effort to reduce pollutants flowing into the fragile and faltering Indian River Lagoon sponsored by Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach — who made the mistake of withholding his endorsement until DeSantis was actually in the race.

These cuts seriously undermine DeSantis’ claim to an environmental legacy, especially since he provided no explanation as to why they were vetoed.

The cruelest cuts

Kil6ling funding for anti-flood projects in Orlo Vista — a year after hurricanes pushed more than four feet of water into some of the modest homes in that west Orange County community — was particularly cruel; at some point, compassion and a sense of urgency should guide veto decisions. DeSantis seemed to feel neither toward the communities across Florida who might see flooding projects delayed or derailed by the state funding cuts: He also dammed up anti-flooding projects in rainsoaked parts of Winter Park and Osceola County’s Buenaventura Lakes, along with inundated parts of Broward County including Parkland. (Fortunately, Orlo Vista won’t be among those who have to wait: Orange County officials quickly said they intended to keep pushing those projects forward.)

Among his other short-sighted cuts: A wide array of programs for troubled youth, including many clearly targeted at preventing the deadly spiral of substance abuse and casual gun violence that strikes with terrifying, random force in many low-income communities across the state. He also killed funding intended to assist veterans, provide mental health services and add amenities at Florida’s treasured array of state and local parks, trails and preserves.

At the same time, however, the former Little League star pitcher proved that he could still bring a wicked curveball. Among the vetoes for educational programs were several questionable appropriations for educational programs at private, sometimes for-profit schools, such as a “Fair and Balanced Media Scholarship Program” at the Miami Media School. And while Sarasota-based Sen. Joe Gruters (one of the few Republicans who gave his endorsement to President Donald Trump) bellowed about the decision to slash a $20 million nursing program at the University of South Florida, it’s intriguing that DeSantis let a $15 million for a nursing building at the University of Central Florida, $5 million for a building at Valencia College’s campus in Lake Nona and almost $800,000 for an AdventHealth Type 1 diabetes research project survive. All of those were sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Linda Stewart — who is a Democrat.

With no explanation in his vetoes, it’s hard to figure out the how and the why of his choices. However, the governor was rightfully proud of family directed tax cuts on items like baby diapers and paper towels that give Floridians some small share of the wealth that flowed to Tallahassee this year.

Every now and then, we get a little glimpse of the governor DeSantis could have been if he had been willing to put the interests of this state above his own ambition. But overall, this round of budget vetoes shows DeSantis behaving exactly as expected and dealing in the coldest currency of all: The need to reward his friends and crush his enemies.

____

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com