Gov. Ron DeSantis has cancelled a meeting of the Florida Cabinet again, prompting complaints from Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried that the governor is evading oversight under Florida’s unique executive branch mechanism.
The three Cabinet members — Fried, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis — are top statewide elected officials who conduct the state’s business, along with the governor.
Fried, a Democrat seeking her party’s nomination to campaign against Republican DeSantis in November, said DeSantis’ office gave no reason for cancelling a Cabinet meeting set for June 28 and a June 29 meeting of the Board of Executive Clemency.
The notice arrived via a terse email from Caroline Redshaw, DeSantis’ aide for Cabinet affairs.
“As if only scheduling four total meetings this year of the Cabinet and clemency board to conduct important state business and giving Floridians who have waited years an opportunity for a second chance wasn’t insulting enough, the governor has now cancelled the second of those scheduled meetings that were to be held at the end of the month,” Fried said in a written statement.
“While not surprising given the number of Cabinet and clemency board meetings cancelled without cause by Gov. DeSantis over the years, his continued unwillingness to do his job and focus on the urgent challenges facing our state is an insult to the people of Florida. But maybe he can use this new-found free time on those days to implement the much-needed gas tax break now to help Floridians instead of waiting until October on the eve of the election,” Fried added.
The Florida Constitution allots some executive functions to the Cabinet, which at present comprises Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, both Republicans, and Fried. The governor presides over these meetings.
The same arrangement applies to the clemency board, which considers requests to restore certain rights to convicted felons, including to vote and own firearms.
The Cabinet met monthly before DeSantis took office in January 2019, but early in his term he said he saw no reason to convene that frequently.
“You can meet however often you want,” he said in May 2019. “Probably not going to be every month.”
The governor and Cabinet last met in March and are scheduled to meet again on Aug. 23 and Dec. 13. The clemency board is set to meet on Aug. 24 and Dec. 14.
–Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix
Wallingford says
The Governor obviously has his sights at a higher prize than the meager State of Florida; he believes that, in one one or another, he will reside in Washington, D>C. after 2024. Let’s make, at least, him not governing the State of Florida a reality. See if his Ego can take being defeated in the next Gubernatorial election. He thought nothing of transferring Billions of Taxes to private citizens as he battled with Disney and now he is not even performing one of the base responsibilities of his job. The die has been cast!! DeSantis needs to be voted out of Office.
Michael Cocchiola says
Floriduh. Otherwise known as the Dictatorship of DeSantis.
YankeeExPat says
DeSantis was busy with his own Russian Bot Christina Pushaw , who was required to register as a foreign agent this week, after being contacted by the DOJ.
Sherry says
She said sarcastically. . . Kushner/FOX Speak: “Hell NO, fascist dictators and emperors don’t need no advice or permission from anyone. Stop your whining and just do as “I” say. . . to hell with any other laws. . . “I” am the LAW!”
This is the reality you will be voting for if you continue to vote for DeSantis for ANYTHING!
Mark says
Would guess the Clemency Board not meeting could raise the ire of many a lawyer in Florida. Only a matter of time before one or more force “Governor” DUH into the Courts to explain why he’s cancelling the rights of citizens.