FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday called out the proposed Florida House budget that he says reverses “all the momentum” in supporting law enforcement across the state.
DeSantis made the remarks at a news conference held at a Florida Highway Patrol station in Fort Myers.
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“We know it’s harder to recruit troopers because we need to increase the trooper pay,” he said. “Their budget de-funds the raises that we had set for law enforcement officers in the state of Florida. Their budget cuts 84 current state trooper positions.”
The governor, who was joined by Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner, said the proposed budget cuts would limit the way Florida Highway Patrol troopers could effectively do their job.
DeSantis highlighted the state’s efforts to bring in more law enforcement officers, such as offering a $5,000 signing bonus for people coming to Florida. He also mentioned that the bonus is on top of $1,000 bonuses for existing officers that has been offered for the last three years.
“Our record in Florida of standing up for law enforcement is second to none. We have done it time and time again. We are continuing to do it and, honestly, Republican legislators have stood with us time and time again. All the way up until this current session in the Florida House of Representatives,” DeSantis said.
Watch the full news conference below: