DeSantis Gives Every First Responder a $1000 Bonus: Florida Is 'Funding the Police'
Republican governor announces bonuses for state's 174,000 first responders
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The Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, has announced that his administration is giving every first responder in the state a $1,000 bonus.
Gov. DeSantis announced on Wednesday that the bonuses are being sent out to all of Florida’s 174,000 first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
The move by DeSantis follows repeated calls to "defund the police" from far-left Democrats across America.
This year, leftists have gone as far as to call for abolishing policing and ending the prison system in the United States.
DeSantis is taking a different approach toward the police and justice system in his state, however.
"In Florida, we’re funding them & then some by providing all of our heroes $1,000 bonuses," he said in a statement.
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DeSantis’s office said in a statement:
The authorization comes following the Governor’s call for the bonuses in March, with the bonuses included in the 2021-22 state budget.
While the budget is not yet signed, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is working to immediately implement this bonus program, expediting the distribution effort.
Approximately $208 million has been allocated from DEO for over 174,000 first responders across the state, including 49,405 sworn law enforcement officers, 40,732 EMTs, 35,811 firefighters and 33,185 paramedics in Florida.
Some want to defund the police.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 5, 2021
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
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"Supporting our law enforcement and first responders has been a top priority for my administration,” DeSantis said.
"It has never been more important than over the last year
"As a state, we are grateful for their continued service to our communities.
"This one-time bonus is a small token of appreciation," the governor noted.
"We can never go far enough to express our gratitude for their selflessness.”
