Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis backed his $ 35 million veto on funding for a proposed Tampa Bay Rays spring training ground after the team publicly called for new gun control measures.
Asked about the music of the fiscal chin at an unrelated press conference on Friday, DeSantis said he did not approve of diverting taxpayers’ money to professional sports teams – especially those involved in “activism”.
“I do not support giving dollars to taxpayers in professional sports stadiums,” he said. “Companies are free to engage or not engage in whatever discourse they want, but it is clearly inappropriate to pay taxes for professional sports stadiums. It is also inappropriate to subsidize the political activity of a private corporation. “
The Florida team pledged $ 50,000 to Everytown for the Weapons Safety Fund and dedicated its social media channels “to offering facts about the impact of gun violence” after deadly recent mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas.
“This cannot be normal. We can’t stand it. We can’t look the other way. We all know that if nothing changes, nothing will change, “said a tweet from the team’s account.
The funds canceled by DeSantis were earmarked for a new team in Odessa, Florida.
Rays spoke in support of gun control, which led to the veto. @ Raysbaseball / Instagram Gov. Ron DeSantis is behind his decision after vetoing funding for the Tampa Bay Race training ground after their outspoken support for gun control. Martha Lavender / AP
The Rays did not immediately comment on the dispute.
A veto included in DeSantis’ state budget for next year marks the latest corporate confrontation between Republicans over cultural hotspots.
DeSantis has led a successful campaign to strip Disney of special tax benefits after the company opposed a bill banning instructions on sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten up to fourth grade.
Supporters said the law protects children from sexual content. Critics said this created a stigma around the LGBTQ community and incited hostility towards the group.
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