In a move that has received backlash from many BLM activists, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis announced that all first responders in Florida will receive $1,000 bonuses. That includes over 174,000 first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics.
Some want to defund the police.
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
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 5, 2021
DeSantis’ 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.
This move by DeSantis, an outstanding force in the Republican Party, is under fire by BLM activists across the U.S after the far-left Democrats called for defunding the police last year. Those same Democrats just this year have gone to call for abolishing of the incarceration system, calling it modern-day slavery, and calling for an absolute end of policing, stating that communities could protect their own.
“Supporting our law enforcement and first responders has been a top priority for my administration, and it has never been more important than over the last year. As a state, we are grateful for their continued service to our communities,” DeSantis said. “This one-time bonus is a small token of appreciation, but we can never go far enough to express our gratitude for their selflessness.”
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