Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants first responders to receive additional $1K stimulus payment

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference from the State Capitol building in Tallahassee.

The governor discussed the COVID-19 relief bill recently passed in congress and how he would like to allocate and utilize the funds.

One thing the governor mentioned right off the bat was a way to show support and appreciation toward Florida’s first responders.

“We know the pandemic put an awful lot of strain on first responders,” DeSantis said. “We believe we should recognize their sacrifice.”

DeSantis called for first responders to receive additional $1000 stimulus payments from the COVID-19 relief bill for their work during the pandemic.

“I’m proposing a one-time, $1000 bonus payment to all first responders, firefighters, sworn law enforcement and EMTs, which totals about $208.4 million dollars,” he said.

DeSantis explained that the checks would be administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity in partnership with other state agencies.

The payments are among a series are recommendations the governor said he will be sending in a letter to the speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives and the president of the state Senate.

A video stream of the press conference can be seen below: