Taxpayers Foot Bill for DeSantis's Culture War Lawsuits in Florida

Florida taxpayers are footing the bill for Governor Ron DeSantis's mounting legal costs as he fights a slew of lawsuits against his ultra-conservative legislative agenda. DeSantis's policies, which include anti-LGBTQ+ laws, abortion bans, and prohibition of African American studies, have drawn ire from marginalized communities and major corporations like Disney. Critics have lambasted DeSantis's policies as unconstitutional and mere political stunts designed to propel him to the frontlines of the GOP primary. The mounting legal costs have come heavily at the expense of Florida's taxpayers, with $16 million incorporated into the state's budget to be used exclusively for his litigation expenses.