Governor Ron DeSantis is facing backlash for cutting over $32 million in arts and culture funding from Florida's state budget. DeSantis cited his opposition to a fringe festival that he deemed 'a sexual event' as the reason for the cuts. The move has been criticized by political allies and arts organizations, who argue that it will have a negative impact on the economy. DeSantis vetoed grants to nearly 700 groups and organizations, including youth orchestras, museums, art galleries, dance troupes, zoos, cinemas, and community theaters. Many of these organizations rely on state funding for their operations and survival. Critics believe that DeSantis' action is politically motivated and part of his targeting of minority groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. The vetoed funding would have supported a $3.1 billion industry in Florida, which generates economic activity, jobs, and government revenue. The decision has been described as 'incredibly disheartening' by arts advocates, who are urging continued support for artists and arts organizations [aace10ea].
In addition to the controversy surrounding the arts funding cuts, Governor DeSantis is also facing privacy concerns over an email blast sent by Florida's Department of Health to nearly 700,000 medical marijuana patients. The email praised DeSantis for his achievements but failed to mention his opposition to recreational marijuana use and legalization. Medical marijuana patients are concerned about privacy issues, as Florida's broad public records laws could potentially allow their identities to be revealed. They fear unwanted marketing, political messages, and employment discrimination. State Representative Kelly Skidmore criticized the DeSantis administration for violating people's privacy to promote the governor's political agenda. Personal injury lawyer John Morgan raised concerns about potential violations of federal laws on the release of medical information and the potential political misuse of the email list in the context of promoting recreational marijuana in the upcoming November election [699abe95] [aace10ea].