DeSantis Nixes State Legislature’s Ask for Two New Planes, Calling it an ‘Inadvisable Expense’

June 3, 2022       Updated 8:15 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) –  Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $20 million from Florida’s budget that would have allowed the state to purchase two new planes for government officials. 

Florida lawmakers approved the money for the new planes in the budget. However, the Governor has the authority to veto items in the budget he does not support. 

“This is an inadvisable expense, especially under current economic conditions, and could have unintended consequences given the breath of the officials included in the authorization,” DeSantis said in the veto memo. 

More than 100 government officials would have been allowed to use the planes 24/7, 365 days a year. It would have required 17 additional staff positions within the Department of Management Services.

The Governor vetoed $3.1 billion which DeSantis said will prepare the state for any economic downturn caused by federal policies.

“We don’t want to be in a situation where we’re repeating the mistakes of Washington by overspending,” DeSantis said. “So we want to make sure we’re responsible.”

DeSantis Signs ‘Freedom First’ Budget: ‘We’re Protecting Your Money’

Former Governor Rick Scott sold Florida’s executive aircraft because he owned his own private jet. State lawmakers purchased Gov. Ron DeSantis for the executive branch in 2019 after he had to make an emergency landing.