Less than a month after California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared that his state would cease business relations with Walgreens for its refusal to dispense abortion pills in some “red states” like Florida, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the drugstore is the state’s” first statewide employment partner” signed up to expand the Hope Florida initiative.
California’s loss appears to be Florida’s gain.
Walgreens will “replenish local nonprofits with supplies through CarePortal and support the Hope Florida Fund,” according to a press release from the Executive Office of the Governor.
“Through Hope Florida, we have been blessed to guide and support over 50,000 Floridians on a pathway to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency, and hope,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “After witnessing the tremendous difference that faith-based communities make to uplift those in need, I am excited to broaden Hope Florida’s impact by incorporating the generosity and goodwill of private sector corporations. Thank you to Walgreens and TECO and the many corporations that have generously stepped up to the plate and committed to assisting Floridians.”
"Once we are certified by FDA, we will dispense this medication consistent with federal and state laws,” stated Walgreens in regard to their decision not to dispense the abortion pill mifepristone in 20 states, including somewhere abortion is still legal.
Over the past years or so, Governors DeSantis and Newsom have exchanged political body blows, even one well-placed follicle-friendly chide.
Newsome has been critical of DeSantis’s governance, questioning and calling for an investigation into the Florida governor’s relocating of illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard.
In response to the Governor's comments, DeSantis said, "I think his hair gel is interfering with his brain function."
