FL Governor Blocks $35 Million , for Devil Rays Facility , Following Tweets on Gun Violence.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis
blocked the state funds by
using his line-item veto
powers on June 2.
The new community structure was to partly serve as a training facility for the Tampa Bay Rays.
In coordination with the New York Yankees, .
the social media accounts of the Rays provided information about gun violence in the immediate wake of the Uvalde shooting.
the social media accounts of the Rays provided information about gun violence in the immediate wake of the Uvalde shooting.
The Rays also donated $50,000 to Everytown for Gun Safety just days after the shooting.
DeSantis was asked why he blocked the
$35 million to fund the community facility on June 3.
I don't support giving taxpayer dollars to professional
sports stadiums, Gov. Ron DeSantis, (R-FL), via CNN.
[It is] inappropriate to
subsidize political activism
of a private corporation, Gov. Ron DeSantis, (R-FL), via CNN.
The Pasco County budget request stated that the facility that was to be used by the Rays would be "community facilities." .
[The facility will provide space for] general recreation, youth/amateur/professional baseball and softball participation, sports tourism, and other programming and events, Pasco County Budget Request, via CNN.
The chair of the Pasco County Board of Commissioners expressed dismay at DeSantis' decision.
Everyone I talked to in the community was excited about the possibility of the players development complex coming, , Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Board of Commissioners, via CNN.
... but we're going to continue to talk to the Rays and try to come to an agreement. This makes it
more difficult, Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, via CNN.
In April, DeSantis stated that he would support legislation that would allow public open carry of guns without a permit