Will Ron DeSantis hit ‘major’ milestone with announcements?
Gov. Ron DeSantis says deeming some businesses nonessential during the COVID-19 lockdown missed the mark. Image via AP.

Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis remains a little behind the pace this year to again eclipse 50 “major” announcements.

Gov. Ron DeSantis remains a little behind the pace this year to again eclipse 50 “major” announcements.

His trip last Friday to the Turkey Lake Service Plaza in Orlando to make an announcement about electric-vehicle charging stations marked the 25th time this year his office has sent out a press advisory promoting a “major” announcement.

Last year, DeSantis made at least 58 “major” announcements and was joined twice in the billing by First Lady Casey DeSantis. The first lady had five “major” announcements of her own last year.

Asked what makes a “major” announcement, DeSantis spokeswoman Helen Aguirre Ferre replied this week that it is, “Often related to a policy or funding announcement.”

Among this year’s “major” announcements were lowering Florida Prepaid College plan prices during an event in Jacksonville in January; announcing a $36 million grant for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority in January, and joining U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in February as the Donald Trump administration awarded a $44 million grant to PortMiami to build a fumigation facility.

“Major” events have also featured opening an Interstate 4 ramp, making Supreme Court appointments, signing various bills into law and announcing that the Junior Olympics were headed to Brevard County.

However, signing a $92.2 billion budget and issuing $1 billion in vetoes on June 29 failed to merit “major” status in the press announcement.

Casey DeSantis had a solo “major” announcement in January, when she highlighted mental-health support services in communities devastated by Hurricane Michael.

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Republished with permission of the News Service of Florida.

Jim Turner

Jim Turner is a Capitol reporter for the News Service of Florida, providing coverage on issues ranging from transportation and the environment to Legislative and Cabinet politics, which are some of the areas he worked in 20 years with TCPalm in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. Jim grew up in Millburn, New Jersey, where he started his journalism career providing weekly reports on the high school soccer team --- of which he was a member--- to the local Millburn Item. Jim received degrees in journalism and history from High Point University in North Carolina.


5 comments

  • Sonja Fitch

    July 18, 2020 at 5:35 am

    Duffus Desantis copies his puppet man traitor trump! Any news is big big news ! Duffus Desantis does not have bat ass brains and is criminally negligent! Duffus Desantis is willingly killing and harming folks in Florida! Stu duffus Desantis !

    • Just

      July 18, 2020 at 9:34 am

      This is a “ Major” announcement… Rumor Ron is not going to get re-elected !

      • Tricia

        July 18, 2020 at 9:39 pm

        I was a Trump fan but I sincerely very disappointed. When Covid-19 first started I watch his White House speech and how he brought different representatives and medical staff. He said how and what will happen to protect us from the virus. NOW he’s going to do whatever it takes not to have wearing mask mandatory. I also agree DeSantis is his puppet “Do What I Do and Say What I Say” that’s all he knows. Who care electric car stations opening. We have a pandemic, what is he going to do to help Florida. I’m just done with all this politics. My family and I are just trying to survive.

  • [email protected]

    July 18, 2020 at 10:04 am

    Ron got my vote last election but has totally disappointed me with his inappropriately timed “Major” announcements with the COVID-19 virus running rampant. His wimpy attitude in taking a firm stand to save lives by having all Floridians wear a mask in public, instead leaving the dying retail sector to make those decisions and police their establishments. It is just beyond my comprehension how science continues to take a back seat in our wonderful nation…fracking, burning coal, our environment, and now the COVID virus. What are they thinking…..

  • Juju

    July 20, 2020 at 5:18 pm

    He needs to learn that a real man is his own self. And stop trying to be Trump whose already is in deep you know what.

Comments are closed.


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