House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell requested a special Legislative Session to overturn Gov. Ron DeSantis’ line-item vetoes, arguing that the cuts threaten public programs and could lead to economic harm across the state.
Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell on Thursday formally requested a special Legislative Session to potentially overturn a series of line-item vetoes issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which she argued threaten public programs across the state.
In a letter sent to House Speaker Paul Renner and Speaker-designate Daniel Perez, Driskell condemned the Governor’s use of his veto power, which included funding for arts and culture programs, public health initiatives, and infrastructure projects. According to Driskell, the cuts could have “severe repercussions for communities across Florida.”
She subsequently asked legislative leaders to convene a special session immediately following the Organizational Session in November, or to pass a supplemental funding bill that would restore the funds.
“The Governor’s aggressive and dangerous use of his line-item veto pen has the potential to cause significant harm to our state,” Driskell wrote. “These vetoes were made despite near-unanimous bipartisan support in the Legislature, and the fallout could include job losses and economic downturns in the affected areas.”
The vetoed items also included civil legal aid projects, first-responder funding, and infrastructure and water management initiatives.
“The Governor’s hasty vetoes of these crucial projects will impact untold jobs and reduce needed economic activity,” Driskell continued.
Driskell also noted that the Legislature previously discovered a method to restore funding for its own staff and services despite the Governor’s vetoes, suggesting that similar measures could be employed to reinstate the vetoed public programs.
“I was surprised to learn the Legislature discovered an ability to restore funding for legislative staff and support services notwithstanding the Governor’s line-item vetoes, which have not been overwritten by the Legislature according to the State Constitution,” said Driskell. “I urge you to use this same procedure and funding source to restore the aforementioned projects immediately.”