Gov. DeSantis prioritizes politics over COVID relief
Our communities are facing the worst public health and economic crises in our nation’s history. There’s no escaping the impact of the pandemic — it’s affected all of our families, schools, workplaces and communities. Elected officials at every level of government need to be taking action right now to mitigate the risks in the months ahead, not only the direct health risks associated with the unchecked spread of COVID19, but the real harm that comes from the expiration of critical pandemic-related support, such as measures to keep families in their homes and efforts to provide meaningful unemployment benefits.
As a Hallandale Beach City Commissioner, I understand that responsibility. I don’t just see the need for urgent action around me in the community every day, I feel it acutely. Like so many families, I have not been able to see my grandmother in months, dropping off groceries regularly with no contact. I respond to emails and phone calls every single day about the need for rent, utility, unemployment and groceries assistance.
Unfortunately, Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn’t seem to share this urgency to act. DeSantis is content to tune out the suffering of Floridians and the economic and public health wildfires consuming our state. He’s instead singularly focused on House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 484, a dangerous proposal to wrongfully throw more Floridians in overcrowded state prisons, disenfranchise Floridians exercising their fundamental right to protest, dictate local governments budgets and protect Confederate statues over human lives.
The governor’s actions are baffling. As I write this, more than 20,000 Floridians have already lost their lives to COVID-19. Over 1 million people in our state have contracted the virus. By the time you read this, those figures will undoubtedly be higher. But DeSantis has made his priority clear: He wants to focus on advancing division and violence against his own constituents and neighbors and wants to continue stoking the fear that reinforces racist laws and systems across our state.
The governor’s singular focus on this dangerous legislative proposal is disheartening, but not terribly surprising. From the day he took office, the governor has relished the opportunity to ignore and undermine the will of Floridians. He only appreciates the rule of law when he’s able to bend it to align with his agenda. He has ignored calls for criminal justice reform, denied the right to vote to citizens returning from prison, overruled common sense decisions by our local governments, and consistently lied to Floridians about the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The measure also seeks to chill local decision-making and proposes action against communities that make funding decisions the governor doesn’t like. That’s not how local democracy is supposed to work, but this type of punitive preemption is nothing new. In fact, preemption of local decision-making is a tool long wielded by state officials who seek to ensure racism and white supremacy remain entrenched in our laws and systems.
A recent report from the Economic Policy Institute and Local Solutions Support Center examined the extent to which state preemption of local policies (such as how to fund police) disenfranchises people of color, women and workers across the south. Lawmakers in Tallahassee introduce preemption bills frequently, though perhaps none as brazenly punitive and racist as Gov. DeSantis’ current proposal. The truth is clear: Gov. DeSantis is seeking to enact a sweeping and dangerous law that puts the safety of Black Floridians and many others at risk and undermine our fundamental rights as Americans.
The governor and his allies are turning a blind eye to the issues on which Floridians desperately need action — in favor of dwelling on a solution in search of a problem that doesn’t exist. I’m committed to confronting this abhorrent bill and the racism at its roots. It’s time for Gov. DeSantis to act responsibility and prioritize the well-being of all Floridians. If the governor refused, the legislature must reject House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 484, and finally address the dire needs and inequities in our state. Shelve this bill and instead focus on healthcare, housing and good jobs, and let local governments do their jobs. Floridians are counting on you.