NAPLES, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Tuesday morning in Naples to highlight the efforts to restore natural resources across the state, while continuing to express his disapproval for the House of Representatives’ budget proposal.
DeSantis said his office submitted a budget proposal of over $800 million toward the restoration of the Everglades and water quality. He added that while the Florida Senate is on board with his proposal, the House of Representatives’ budget proposal “slashes” the Everglades funding and water quality efforts by almost $500 million.
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“Shouldn’t you be doing what’s right for the people of Florida? Stop playing your petty games. Stand up and do what’s right. Do what the people asked us to do,” DeSantis said.
Press play above to watch DeSantis’ remarks
Tensions between DeSantis and the Florida House began escalating in recent weeks, with the governor calling out the Florida House on several occasions, claiming it is pursuing an agenda that contradicts its campaign promises.
Last week, DeSantis also spoke up against the Florida House’s budget, which he said seeks to defund raises that he had set for law enforcement officers in the state, and cut 84 current Florida Highway Patrol trooper positions and ballistic armor used by troopers.
During Tuesday’s news conference, DeSantis highlighted the more than 75 projects that have been completed or initiated toward conservation and restoration efforts.
DeSantis also said that since 2019, the amount of harmful nutrients in South Florida’s waterways has been reduced by 727,000 pounds per year of nitrogen and almost 500,000 pounds per year of phosphorus.
“We have incredible momentum. We’ve had incredible accomplishments on these very important initiatives,” DeSantis said.