TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Hope Florida is a program that connects people in need with services and was launched in 2021.
The governor’s office is trying to codify the program into state law.
Hope Florida is run by First Lady Casey DeSantis, who is rumored to be running for governor.
And that’s led to questions, like why did officials from the Agency for Health Care Administration move $10 million to Hope Florida’s charity, and was that legal?
During a fiery hearing in Tallahassee, state lawmakers were asking tough questions about the $10 million.
“I still have no idea why this was justified and I have very strong beliefs that this was not legal,” said State Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola. “Do you have any information about what the dispute was or where those funds came from?”
Local 10 News learned the money was baked into a $67 million settlement between the health giant Centene and the Agency for Healthcare Administration.
Of that money, $57 million went back to taxpayers and $10 million went to Hope Florida, a welfare assistance program to help people become less reliant on taxpayer-funded programs.
“What are you all doing with the $10 million?” Andrade asked during the hearing.
“That is a question for the foundation,” said Shevaun Harris, Secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
“That is a question for AHCA. They directed the payment!” Jones responded.
The AHCA is overseen by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Andrade made the claim that the money transfer was made to be kept hidden from the legislature.
“It looks like a creative way to try and, without oversight, to send $10 million in taxpayer funds to Hope Florida,” said Andrade.
Those bills that would codify Hope Florida into law in both the House and Senate are waiting to get on a committee schedule.
The current Florida Legislative session in Tallahassee is already more than halfway over.