Is Ron DeSantis a Great Governor?

DeSantis has been a chameleon since he entered office, arrogantly believing he could dupe the public by stealing Trump's mojo.

The recent revelations that a charity organization operated by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' wife Casey took $10 million in money compelled by DeSantis' own administration and then seemingly moved that money into a political slush fund has many Floridians questioning the record of a governor who they erroneously believed was a conservative champion.

As I covered on Slingshot News, Casey DeSantis' charity group Hope Florida received $10 million mandated through a settlement between the state of Florida and its largest Medicaid provider, Centene.

Centene paid out $57 million for alleged overpayments made to pharmacy benefit managers. Soon after Hope Florida received the $10 million as part of the settlement, a similar sum was funneled from the charity to anti-cannabis political advocacy organizations closely aligned with Gov. DeSantis.

This scandal is not going away despite the desperate and pathetic attempts of damage control by DeSantis lackeys on the attack defaming anyone who refuses to join their cover up. It will likely doom Casey DeSantis' chances at supplanting her husband as Governor and keeping the family's political dynasty in power in Florida with President Trump endorsing Rep. Byron Donalds for the position.

Gov. DeSantis to the layman may seem like an America First conservative, but examining his record closely reveals a neoconservative who cynically exploits MAGA branding to cloak his cronyism and corruption.

ASTRONOMICAL INSURANCE COSTS & CORPORATE BAILOUTS

Since DeSantis took office, homeowner insurance premiums have tripled, averaging $6,000 a year—highest in the nation. His reforms handed insurers $2 billion in taxpayer-funded bailouts while letting them dodge lawsuits, leaving Floridians with soaring rates and no recourse when companies deny claims.

It should come as no surprise that DeSantis soaked up $3.9 million in campaign contributions from insurance company employees for his gubernatorial race and through his Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC. A subsidiary of Heritage Insurance and People's Trust Insurance gave a combined donation of $125,000 to DeSantis' inaugural celebration following his re-election in 2023. This was money well-spent for the corporate insurers as they were rewarded many times beyond their investment through DeSantis' illicit crony network.

SOARING ENERGY COSTS

DeSantis greenlit utility rate hikes, with Florida Power & Light (FPL) jacking up bills by 20 percent since 2020. DeSantis' public counsel negotiated a settlement that allowed FPL to raise their rates by nearly $5 billion, the largest rate increase approved in Florida history. He also gave a special $2.3 million tax break to FPL to subsidize their green energy operations.

DeSantis' Public Service Commission, stacked with loyalists, has rubber-stamped these increases, hitting working families hard while he ignores their pain. It should come as no surprise that energy campaigns helped funnel money into the coffers of DeSantis. He has received $2.1 million in donations from the Associated Industries of Florida, funded by FPL and a host of other conglomerates, since his initial election for governor.

SKYROCKETING HOME COSTS

Median home prices have jumped a stunning 65 percent under DeSantis, from $254,000 in 2018 to $420,000 in 2024. Florida hosts many of the most overpriced housing markets in the nation, standing out as uniquely inflationary in its housing costs. DeSantis' inaction to make housing units more affordable and his cozy ties with developers prioritize profits over people, pricing out retirees and young Floridians.

It should come as no surprise that DeSantis has received major contributions from the real estate industry that is making out like bandits as the people of Florida suffer. When DeSantis was gearing up for his presidential run, his well-connected friends in the real estate industry made it rain to the tune of $7 million in campaign funds. Real estate developer Pat Neal bragged “that demand is so damn high we are all making a lot of money” as he contributed $175,000 to DeSantis.

COVID DECEPTION

DeSantis bragged about keeping Florida free during COVID, attacking President Trump for signing the CARES Act on the campaign trail after thanking Trump for securing billions in funds for Florida during the crisis. DeSantis also quietly signed laws shielding Big Pharma from vaccine lawsuits. His tough talk concealed a sellout to corporate interests, betraying the folks who trusted him to fight the system.

During 2020’s COVID layoffs, DeSantis’ unemployment system crashed, delaying benefits for 2 million Floridians—some waited months as their jobs were deemed non-essential. He ignored warnings from as early as 2018 about the broken $77 million system, leaving desperate workers in the lurch. DeSantis never took any responsibility for the crisis, instead opting to pass the blame to his predecessor Rick Scott following a bogus investigation.

ENVIRONMENTAL CALAMITY

DeSantis signed Senate Bill 540 in 2023 to fast track harmful urban sprawl. The law makes it more difficult for property owners to challenge building projects in rural areas and formerly protected lands, forcing them to take on the legal fees of wealthy builders if they lose a challenge.

DeSantis' administration pushed the $1.3 billion purchase of 1.4 million acres for “conservation” through the Florida Forever program, but key parcels went to developers with ties to his donors in a bait-and-switch that betrays taxpayers and paves over Florida’s future.

SNEAKY TAX HIKES

DeSantis has signed off on $1.5 billion in new taxes and fees since 2019, including online sales taxes, hitting small businesses and families. DeSantis claims deceptively he has implemented “no new taxes,” borrowing an infamous line from his idol George H.W. Bush, but Floridians feel the pinch while he takes credit for cuts.

The Hope Florida scandal is the first time that many conservatives are being exposed to DeSantis' true nature, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. DeSantis has been a chameleon since he entered office, arrogantly believing he could dupe the public by stealing Trump's mojo. DeSantis ultimately got too sloppy after successfully shrouding his previous double dealings.

Finally, the chickens are coming home to roost, and the luster is being removed from DeSantis, another shameful example of Republican controlled opposition.