Fort Pierce - Thursday June 9, 2022: Governor DeSantis' decision to veto SB 2508 is being hailed by various organizations for putting the environment and the tourism industry above the interests of big sugar. Many credit the surge in opposition from the public.
Friends of the Everglades Policy Director Gil Smart said the Governor made the right call and the veto of SB 2508 is huge win. “We see this as a victory for the people of Florida who stood up in mass against this bad bill.”
“Ding Dong, the bill is dead,” declared the VoteWater environmental group in an email to its members and the media. They called SB 2508 "a toxic mixture of dirty politics and terrible policy, stuffed with giveaways to Big Sugar and Florida’s utility industry."
“This legislation would have benefited the sugar industry, the utility industry," said Smart. "And the way that this went down it was so bad. It was introduced late on a Friday as a budget conforming bill. That meant it was only going to have one hearing just a few days later. It really was an attempt to sneak this through the back door but people saw through that.
Florida Conservation Voters Political Director Jonathan Webber said he hopes the Governor’s veto “will be a signal to lawmakers to stop using legislative tricks to sneak harmful environmental policy past the Florida public."
"We are watching," said Webber.
“Tens of thousands of people sent emails and signed online petitions for this. The Governor listened. The Governor heard. So we’re grateful for that. We think this was a fantastic development. It was the right call. We’re very excited.”