Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Announcement After Giving 1K Bonuses To First Responders
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed that his state would award $1,000 bonuses to police officers and other first personnel for their lifesaving efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeSantis made the announcement in front of the Satellite Beach Police Department on Wednesday, surrounded by first responders and police officers.
The governor was accompanied by police officers who praised DeSantis’ decision, which he confirmed will fund the police “and then some,” a huge slap in the face of progressives who seek to defund law enforcement.
“I asked the legislature in this legislative session, we need to do bonuses for law enforcement. Some wanted to defund the police, we’re funding the police, and then some,” Gov. DeSantis stated.
The president of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, Satellite Beach Police Chief, praised DeSantis for his “commitment to maintain public order.”
“On behalf of the Florida Police Chiefs Association and over 900 of Florida’s top law enforcement executives from across every region of the state. We want to thank Governor DeSantis for his unwavering support of Florida’s law enforcement. All Floridians should be thankful for his commitment to maintaining public order and keeping the peace,” Chief Pearson stated.
According to ClickOrlando.com, the decision to award first responders bonuses comes ahead of National Police Week, which runs from May 9 to May 15, and celebrates those who have died in the line of duty.
“The people that wear the uniform, they didn’t have that luxury [of working from home during the pandemic]. They were out there every single day,” DeSantis said. “They had to work more than they ever have.”
“Some want to defund the police. In Florida, we’re funding them & then some by providing all of our heroes $1,000 bonuses. This represents more than 174,000 first responders across the state!” Gov. DeSantis wrote to Twitter.
Some want to defund the police.
In Florida, we’re funding them & then some by providing all of our heroes $1,000 bonuses. This represents more than 174,000 first responders across the state!
🚔🚒🚑 pic.twitter.com/ZMcB9T620g
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 5, 2021
“If you look at the amount of revenue that’s pouring into the state because of all the economic activity, the forecasters can’t keep up with it. We’re probably going to end up with total reserves close to $10 billion, which I think has got to be a record for the state,” DeSantis said.
The payments will start going out after the governor signs the state’s newly passed budget into law, which he expects to happen “relatively soon,” according to the governor.
In celebration of Police Week, Satellite Beach Police Chief Jeff M. Pearson said the governor had vowed to “paint the town blue” by lighting the old Capitol Complex in blue lights for the whole week to recall fallen officers everywhere. Pearson urged all Floridians to join DeSantis and the Florida Police Chiefs Association in celebrating the fallen by lighting blue lights in their families, workplaces, and neighborhoods, according to Click Orlando.
