Taxpayer Dollars, Broken Promises, and Florida’s Future

This is a letter from Vicki Nighswander – Precinct Captain, Sarasota (August 9,2025)

“There are so many issues that we can attack to get a Dem Governor. The abuse of our, all of our, taxpayer dollars is huge! We in Florida are not being served. We must capture those who didn’t vote and those who are seeing the light and help them along. We must be proactive for the changes needed.

The people must have a say in how our taxpayer funds are used. Must undo SB180 (decimates local governments' ability to control growth and protect their communities). We are unprepared for hurricane season while Desantis pays millions of our taxpayer dollars like a slush fund to move immigrants from Texas to Cape Cod, creates Alligator Alcatraz and has yet to be repaid by FEMA. No accountability!

Kennedy should be blamed for any vaccine preventable case particularly in school aged children as the school year begins.

Abbott needs to be out in the next election for his negligence in not having a functioning emergency management program in Texas while he and Desantis brag about having financial reserves. Those guys are not serving US!

Thanks for your efforts!

Vicki”

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An open letter to Gov. DeSantis

by Judy Stuart August 7, 2025

Here is an open letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

I was pleased with what I saw in Tallahassee when you were first elected. However, something has changed, and, as my governor, I respectfully ask that you answer the following concerns without excuses or diversion, just plain reasoning.

• Why did you find it necessary to divert so much funding from our public schools to private schools? The estimated per-pupil diversion from state funds for getting the FES vouchers averages $8,833, while state aid to public schools averages $4,405 per pupil. Our public schools are currently ranked nationally 21st in 2025 including academic performance, funding, safety, class size, and instructor credentials. Why is it that 7 out of 10 vouchers are awarded to those who never attended public schools, but only private schools?

• Why did our Florida government transparency drop from being tied 1st in 2019 to current 31st in Truth.

• Why did you create so many obstacles limiting voter access to the ballot, especially for the marginalized communities? Please don’t use immigration. We have many minority immigrant communities eligible to vote, but you’ve made it harder for them, especially with registering, redlining new districts to create more GOP dominant districts and the new hours for both early and general voting.

• Why have you allowed Florida big insurance to raise rates prohibitive to the low-income families preventing them from achieving the American dream of owning their own home?

• How can you cage men, women and children in the Everglades, most of whom are not criminals but hard-working people who pay taxes and then you brag about it

• Last question, what happened to the $10 million that you took from the Medicare Funds and gave to your wife’s foundation?

Is this the legacy you wish to leave for your children and grandchildren to continually live under?

I look forward to your response. I know that you are busy, but I truly hope that you personally are given the chance to both read and respond to this inquiry.

Respectfully,

Judy Stuart

Judy Stuart is a resident of the Village of Virginia Trace.