With the Legislature set to vote on a $114.5 billion spending plan that includes nearly 2,000 member projects, Gov. Ron DeSantis explained his political use of the line-item veto.
Democrats called his approach “retribution.”
While speaking on executive power May 21 at the Federalist Society’s Inaugural Executive Branch Summit at the Mayflower Hotel in New York, Gov. Ron DeSantis took credit for his use of the line-item veto for the state’s “fiscal successes, at least to the extent that we’ve had.”
DeSantis said that when he reviews budget items, he considers whether the sponsor is “supporting good policy.”
“I am going to see that budget, and you know there’s that road. Oh, really? ‘Okay, yeah, you need a road. Oh, I’m sure that’s good. Oh, wait a minute, where were you on our tort reform? Where were you on school choice’?” DeSantis said. “You just do it, right? And so that helps you to be able to advance a legislative agenda. And we’ve been able to do legislative reforms across every single aspect of a conservative wish list.”
House Democratic Policy Chairwoman Rep. Kelly Skidmore of Boca Raton took exception to DeSantis’ comments.
“What is good, and what is right, and what is true for Floridians doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if it’s the best idea ever. It just matters if he likes you or he doesn’t like you,” Skidmore told reporters during a conference call Tuesday.
Many of the budget projects are to help local youth or senior organizations, zoos, museums, waterways, roads and schools.
On Wednesday, DeSantis noted the budget before lawmakers is roughly in line with what will be spent in the current fiscal year.
“It’s probably a safe assumption that when I’m done with my veto pen that that it’ll be less than the current year budget,” DeSantis added.
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This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2003.