DeSantis admin diverted $36.2 million in child welfare and medical funds for consultants, ads to defeat voter ballot initiatives

[essentialsaltes]

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer funds — an amount far greater than previously known — as part of a brazen agenda last year to defeat two ballot amendments he staunchly opposed, a Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times investigation has found. Much of the state money was intended to assist needy Floridians, including children. Instead, it paid for political consultants, lawyers and thousands of advertisements that helped DeSantis and his supporters win at the ballot box.

The findings shed new light on the DeSantis administration’s marshaling of state resources to finance his fight against political causes supported by a majority of Florida voters. Amendment 3 would have legalized recreational marijuana. Amendment 4 would have overturned the six-week abortion ban pushed by DeSantis. Both fell just short of the 60% needed to pass. The most visible cog in his campaign — the use of the state’s Hope Florida charity — is the subject of a grand jury investigation. In that case, nearly $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was steered to a political committee controlled by the governor’s chief of staff.

The diversion of state money came at a time when the term-limited governor’s deep pool of donors had begun to dry up after a failed presidential campaign. Without the cash needed to wage the all-out blitz to defeat the amendments, he turned to taxpayer money to air what he called “public service announcements” to educate Floridians.

See also:

What is Hope Florida? Why Casey DeSantis-connected charity is reportedly under investigation​

The battle over Hope Florida, a project spearheaded by Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, kicked into a new gear with news that a criminal investigation may have been opened into a $10 million "donation" from a Medicaid settlement that was then sent to a political committee to fight a constitutional amendment that her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, didn't like.

 

[Fantine]

This just seems like more of the same from Florida Republicans.

Former Gov. Rick Scott mandated drug tests for people on SNAP and cash assistance. They didn't save much money, but since all the tests were purchased from a medical company "owned?" by Scott's wife, I'm sure they laughed all the way to the bank.

 

[DaisyDay]

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer funds — an amount far greater than previously known — as part of a brazen agenda last year to defeat two ballot amendments he staunchly opposed, a Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times investigation has found. Much of the state money was intended to assist needy Floridians, including children. Instead, it paid for political consultants, lawyers and thousands of advertisements that helped DeSantis and his supporters win at the ballot box.

The findings shed new light on the DeSantis administration’s marshaling of state resources to finance his fight against political causes supported by a majority of Florida voters. Amendment 3 would have legalized recreational marijuana. Amendment 4 would have overturned the six-week abortion ban pushed by DeSantis. Both fell just short of the 60% needed to pass. The most visible cog in his campaign — the use of the state’s Hope Florida charity — is the subject of a grand jury investigation. In that case, nearly $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was steered to a political committee controlled by the governor’s chief of staff.

The diversion of state money came at a time when the term-limited governor’s deep pool of donors had begun to dry up after a failed presidential campaign. Without the cash needed to wage the all-out blitz to defeat the amendments, he turned to taxpayer money to air what he called “public service announcements” to educate Floridians.

See also:

What is Hope Florida? Why Casey DeSantis-connected charity is reportedly under investigation​

The battle over Hope Florida, a project spearheaded by Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, kicked into a new gear with news that a criminal investigation may have been opened into a $10 million "donation" from a Medicaid settlement that was then sent to a political committee to fight a constitutional amendment that her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, didn't like.

Corruption at the highest state level.

 

[Richard T]

Put yourself in his shoes for a minute. You have two unGodly ballot initiatives. You are scrambling to find money to help defeat them. Normally you would hope that you could fund a campaign to defeat this with private money. If there was none, or not enough time, you take from another fund. If that was legal to take, then II give him a pass. Why? Because he still is helping the same group that he took the money from. Yes, reducing pot use and abortion does help the needy though it serves as a longer term goal. I have to admit this conclusion was not my first reaction. It does hinge on whether it was legal. The article mentions other more questionable diversions. If these or even this one is illegal, then I do hope he is prosecuted. In these cases the ends do not justify the means. One problem that most leaders have is the desire to keep their power and even increase it. Once you go into grey areas with questionable ethics, I think Christian leaders leave God's will. A better Christian leader would trust God and be more resigned to just offer their services to God, and not enter into the world of compromise. I can't say whether Desantis is compromised and certainly there is grace if it is borderline or done in ignorance. Perhaps I am naive about having any ethics in politics but I do think there are people like that, even though often it is true that "nice guys finish last."
I can say I despise government that allows a single executive leader to move money around at their whim. The legislatures should be very clear on their intents and stricter guidelines from Federal dollars should also be enforced. The best way to fight corruption is to have a tight leash to begin with.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Put yourself in his shoes for a minute.

DeSantis? Eww. (white boots don't look good on me)

You have two unGodly ballot initiatives. You are scrambling to find money to help defeat them. Normally you would hope that you could fund a campaign to defeat this with private money. If there was none, or not enough time, you take from another fund. If that was legal to take, then II give him a pass. Why? Because he still is helping the same group that he took the money from. Yes, reducing pot use and abortion does help the needy though it serves as a longer term goal. I have to admit this conclusion was not my first reaction. It does hinge on whether it was legal. The article mentions other more questionable diversions. If these or even this one is illegal, then I do hope he is prosecuted. In these cases the ends do not justify the means. One problem that most leaders have is the desire to keep their power and even increase it. Once you go into grey areas with questionable ethics, I think Christian leaders leave God's will. A better Christian leader would trust God and be more resigned to just offer their services to God, and not enter into the world of compromise.

It's not the governor's job to fight the "ungodly". He is not a church official.

I can't say whether Desantis is compromised and certainly there is grace if it is borderline or done in ignorance. Perhaps I am naive about having any ethics in politics but I do think there are people like that, even though often it is true that "nice guys finish last."
I can say I despise government that allows a single executive leader to move money around at their whim. The legislatures should be very clear on their intents and stricter guidelines from Federal dollars should also be enforced. The best way to fight corruption is to have a tight leash to begin with.

I doubt that Florida law permits these types of actions by the government. State budgets are like federal budgets -- laws. Using monies outside their intended purposes tends to be criminal. Perhaps, someday in the future, Florida will be less corrupt.