Gov. Ron DeSantis stops in Levy County to award local governments with funding

WILLISTON — Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped in Williston on Friday to announce millions in infrastructure funding going to Levy County and surrounding areas.

He was quick, however, to blast the Biden administration in his opening remarks, as well taking time to speak about Elon Musk, Twitter, the pandemic, the Trump-Russia investigation, gas prices, student debt and inflation, while also praising his administration's financial controls.

It was a highlight reel of content for his fans in attendance, some of whom said afterward they agreed with nearly every word he said.

"He's great, I just love him," said one woman in attendance, who later questioned whether President Joe Biden was a real person.

DeSantis said it all circles back to his administration's common-sense policies and taking care of hard-working Americans in rural parts of Florida.

"The Biden administration, look, they're not exactly on a winning streak," DeSantis said to the crowd, which laughed. "I mean, they got a lot of problems."

After about 10 minutes, DeSantis moved on to the reason for his visit.

The state Legislature approved $22.3 for workforce development and infrastructure throughout Florida, which DeSantis supported. About $17 million of that is going to rural counties and small cities for community centers, grants for small business development and broadband internet.

One of the areas receiving funding is the town of Otter Creek, which has a population of about 200 people. DeSantis presented a large check to Otter Creek Mayor Russell Meeks for $1.4 million from a community development grant that could provide townwide broadband internet expansion for every resident.

He also announced that next year's budget, which he said will have the largest surplus in state history, will include about $500,000 for Levy County's Bird Creek boat ramp in Yankeetown. The funds will help pay for a pair of new pavilions and a boardwalk.

Alachua County's City of Hawthorne received $3.5 million from the grant, he said, to construct a new Hawthorne Area Resource Center (HARC) that will provide a food bank, medical and outreach services.

Marion County got a check for $505,000 to expand the capacity for its Children’s Advocacy Center.

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DeSantis encouraged trade school training for people entering the workforce, which his administration has also prioritized funding for over the years. Currently, the state has an unemployment rate of about 3%, nearly four times lower than during the height of the pandemic.

More than 100 people showed up for the press conference at the Ivy House Restaurant in Williston's downtown area.

Williston resident Heather Hall, 53, said it was refreshing to see a big-name politician in her small town, adding that she is appreciative of the governor being in touch with real issues that affect average citizens.

"I'm just happy to have a governor that cares about the people, their freedoms, and thinks about how we have to live," she said.

Bryn McInnish, who is part of the Conservative Watch USA of Levy County group, expressed the same sentiment.

"They're stripping rights away as fast as they can," she said. "We're very thankful to be in Florida where he doesn't allow that to happen."

Answering a question from an attendee, DeSantis promised to sign constitutional carry into law in Florida during his tenure as governor. The change would allow people to openly carry a gun in public without a special permit.

He also took aim at President Joe Biden's discussions around reducing student debt. The governor said about 60% of the debt is made up of graduate students, who often end up with high-paying jobs, like doctors and lawyers.

"You look at how much people have gone into debt and then they end up these degrees in things like zombie studies, and then what happens? They end up working where they could've worked right out of high school anyways," DeSantis told the crowd that cheered.

"My view is, why would you make a truck driver or a waitress or a construction worker pay off the debt for somebody who did a Ph.D. program in gender studies? That's wrong," he added.

DeSantis also touted the state's newly formed Office of Election Crimes and Security, a 25-person task force dedicated to investigating voting irregularities or illegalities. He says it will deter voter fraud and help people understand the voting laws better.

He also poked fun at the White House-initiated disinformation governance board through the Department of Homeland of Security, calling it a "ministry of truth." At one point, he referred to President Biden as "Brandon," a derogatory political code.

Before posing for pictures and taking questions, DeSantis also stated that his wife, Casey, completed her final radiation treatment for her previous cancer diagnosis.

"We really appreciate everyone who has prayed for her and for us over these many many months," he said. "At the end of the day, it's not an easy thing for anyone to go through, but I can tell you the prognosis couldn't be better and I look forward to her being out and about more so than ever."

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: DeSantis talks COVID, Biden and infrastructure in Levy County stop