A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis is offering a parting shot at critics after the Legislature closed its probe this Session regarding a controversial $10 million appropriation to Hope Florida.
The subcommittee looking into Hope Florida found itself stymied as witnesses decided not to testify, essentially pausing any inquiry into the program until at least when committee weeks begin ahead of the 2026 Session.
“It was all political. Of course it was. People smear what they fear,” DeSantis said in characterizing the investigation.
“And if Hope Florida represents a threat to their worldview, they’re going to go at it. If the First Lady represents a threat, potentially to what they’re doing. So it was all manufactured.”
That $10 million came from a Medicaid settlement and ended up passing through political committees to be programmed into messaging against citizens’ initiatives last year.
The Governor and Casey DeSantis presented a united front regarding that money at the presser in Fruitland Park, where the Governor announced that Lake County would join Orange County in working to “identify and train” Hope Florida liaisons.
“The Florida Department of Education is now working a pilot program that identifies and trains a Hope Florida liaison at each school in select school districts,” the Governor said.
“These liaisons will serve as a dedicated person on staff who can act as a point of contact for Hope Florida resources for students, parents and staff; serves as a trained expert in the Hope Florida navigation; receives Hope Florida material to distribute in the office to help students or families get connected with Hope Navigator when needed; and to train others on both the philosophy and functions of Hope Florida.”
The program will help kids with developmental disabilities and difficulties at home, he added, including help getting jobs for parents should they need them.
First Lady DeSantis was similarly upbeat, saying the program offered “help finding help” for parents of children with “unique abilities.”
“It’s not a program,” she said. “It’s a philosophy.”
Education Secretary Manny Diaz praised Hope Florida’s ability to “make all these connections.”
“I look forward to this growing across all 67 districts,” Diaz said.
5 comments
ScienceBLVR
April 30, 2025 at 3:03 pm
“It’s not a program,” she said. “It’s a philosophy.”
Wow.. I wonder who thought that one up? A Philosophy?
Perhaps Melania will lend Casey her “I Don’t Care” jacket from first fashion term the next time she and the governor talk about the Philosophy of Help.. can I pay the daycare with a philosophy so I can work?
Dr. Franklin Waters
April 30, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Bull. DeSantis is corrupt, and in a country that respected rule of law and justice, he would wind up in prison for this.
Michael K
April 30, 2025 at 3:32 pm
I guess all grifting will henceforth be called “a philosophy?”
More accurately, this should be called “The Mendacity of Hope.”
tom palmer
April 30, 2025 at 5:40 pm
Yes, it was all political, but not in the way Gov. DeSantis and his cronies are depicting it. There was a time when stuff like this was referred to a grand jury.
MH/Duuuval
April 30, 2025 at 7:36 pm
Dee was quick to go to statewide grand juries when there was a partisan advantage. And I don’t hold out much hope from the Trump federal judiciary and law enforcement.