As a part of Governor Ron DeSantis' (R-FL) new "Freedom First" budget for Florida, the administration is once again placing Florida families at the front of their agenda by distributing $450 checks per child to take care of Back-To-School and family expenses. However, several Progressive Democratic state lawmakers have been critical of the move, accusing the policy of not being as altruistic as it seems.
DeSantis Administration Spokeswoman Christina Pushaw (R-FL) tweeted out the letter from the governor confirming the newly cut checks' authenticity. "These letters are real. These one-time payments of $450 per child are part of [Governor DeSantis] new budget," stated Pushaw. The letter reads that the checks are a "one-time payment that can be used for anything from buying diapers to fueling up at the pump."
Gov. DeSantis also reminded recipients of the tax relief bill he signed on Back-To-School items.
Florida families: These letters are real. These one-time payments of $450 per child are part of @GovRonDeSantis new budget. Please see the press release from First Lady @CaseyDeSantis roundtable on Hope Florida - A Pathway to Prosperity last week! https://t.co/wl3Uaz40vH pic.twitter.com/uAqI2Jxqo2
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) July 19, 2022
The move is not without its critics. State Rep. Angie Nixon (D-14), who has been an avid opponent of the DeSantis Administration, and even unapologetically labeling DeSantis as a racist, accused the governor of, "buying votes," with the new rollout of checks to Florida families. In a Tweet the representative stated, "Has anyone of my Twitter folks received any of the $450 checks DeSantis is trying to buy votes with?"
Another legislator, State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-47) called out the announcement, but thinks the pitch from the governor is too good to be true. According to a tweet by Rep. Eskamani, she asked the governor's office to clarify key points on who is eligible for the hefty checks.
We've asked the Governor's Office for clarity on the $450 checks that *some* families have received. Those questions are below, but if you have more questions for us to ask please let us know. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/uFKlCm1GdB
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) July 20, 2022
In a follow up Tweet, Rep. Eskamani fired off on the apparent hypocrisy of the program. Eskamani stated, "Also: super ironic that GOP attacks Democrats for 'socialist programs' that send money to people in need but then do it themselves, LOL."
While Republicans do seem to mostly concentrate their criticisms of Liberal policies on big spending, which they often call, "reckless," the DeSantis Administration has seemingly made the program about counteracting the Biden Administration.
