President Joe Biden is offering one of his White House challengers hundreds of millions of dollars to spend in his state. The only problem: that opponent is refusing to take it.
The Inflation Reduction Act makes Florida eligible for some $350 million in energy efficiency incentives. But Gov. Ron DeSantis has rejected the funding and other measures, creating the most prominent blockade by any Republican governor against Biden’s economic agenda.
And there’s nothing the White House can do besides hope he changes his mind.
The rejection has the potential to create significant ripple effects, politically and economically, in the coming months. As the president and his Cabinet members go around the country boasting about the IRA, rebates for energy-efficient purchases — the majority of the funding that DeSantis has refused — have played a particularly prominent role. That’s not just because they underpin the administration’s climate agenda but because they provide direct rebates to consumers.
Biden and his team as they tour on the IRA they need to start slipping in condemnations of this action. “Everyone in the country is getting new incentives for cheap, green energy. Except Florida because their Governor has rejected free federal money that would go directly to its citizens.” Or something less heavy handed. This is like denying the medicaid extension: it’s just hurting citizens for a political maneuver.
I think the heavy handedness is actually good. Like it really is exactly that simple. It doesn’t have strings attached. “The choices you’ve already made are good for the long run, here’s your subsidy check.” Every other state gets that.
They don’t even have to use the word “green” just say “upgrades” or “modernization”.
“Bipartisan legislation is providing millions of dollars to help American families offset the cost of appliance upgrades, home renovations, and modernization that will save Americans thousands of dollars each year on energy costs. While Americans in nearly every state in the country are benefiting from this program, Governor Ron DeSantis is playing politics and blocking Floridians from these incentives and rebates. Under DeSantis leadership, Florida is experiencing the highest inflation rates in the nation, so why is DeSantis blocking relief for millions of Floridians? Florida’s legislature overwhelming approved participation in this program, only for DeSantis to veto it to appeal to the extreme elements of the Republican party as he runs for the Republican nomination. It seems like providing relief for Floridians and helping them upgrade their homes and aave energy costs is “too woke” for Desantis. Tell Ron to stop playing politics and start working for everyday Floridians”
The ads write themselves. ChatGPT could do it. It not only highlights DeSantis putting politics ahead of people as he runs for president, it helps to shift the narrative on the economy in Florida to put blame on DeSantis for his policies. But you can always count on Democrats to blow a clear messaging win.