The Inflation Reduction Act provides rebates to consumers who make energy-efficient purchases. But DeSantis would rather deprive his constituents of the federal money and its green incentives than look the slightest bit woke.
As Politico explained, DeSantis vetoed the funds requested by the Florida state legislature, including those for a program that would have paid to help low-income residents install solar panels. So far, DeSantis is the only governor blocking the energy rebates.
The situation is reminiscent of the Republican states that refused to expand Medicaid under President Obama. “But Democrats believe the situation is different now compared to a decade ago,” Politico said, because Florida Democrats think they have an opportunity to publicly pressure DeSantis. That's at least partially thanks to Hurricane Idalia causing climate-change induced destruction in the state after a summer of record-breaking heat.
DeSantis has allowed some IRA money, Politico reported, “including $3.75 million to support urban tree canopies and access to nature, $209,000 for pollution control and $78.7 million to several state and local entities to protect against climate change — a fund that is made up of the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
DeSantis has until next August to change his mind.
