DeSantis vs. Biden: Why Did Florida Governor Reject $350M Offer?

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President Joe Biden has offered his potential challenger for the White House, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, hundreds of millions of dollars to utilize in his state, but he will not accept it.

Florida is now qualified for over $350 million in energy efficiency subsidies thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

However, DeSantis has turned down the funding and other proposals, putting up the most egregious roadblock of any Republican governor in the way of Biden's economic program.

The White House can only hope that he changes his mind.

The rejection could have enormous political and economic repercussions in the upcoming months. 

Rebates for energy-efficient products, the majority of the funds that DeSantis has rejected, have played a particularly prominent role as the president and his Cabinet colleagues tour the nation praising the IRA. 

Not only do they support the administration's climate agenda, but they also give consumers immediate rewards.

A few of its programs are subject to governors' ability to veto under the IRA, allowing them to lessen the political impact of legislation that some Democrats predict will play an important role in the 2024 election.

DeSantis rejected a $5 million request from his legislature to create a rebate program for those who purchase energy-efficient appliances and make retrofits to their homes. 

People familiar with Florida's budget process say that because the state would require administrative funds to qualify for the program, it also effectively barred $341 million in funding.

In addition, the governor turned down $3 million in IRA money intended to aid the state in its fight against pollution and rejected the Solar for All initiative, which would have paid to provide low-income people with access to solar panels. 

Furthermore, DeSantis vetoed funds totaling $24 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

DeSantis is the only governor who has declared his intention to veto the energy rebates thus far.

Federal and state officials claim that the Biden administration has looked for ways to overcome the energy rebate barrier but has been unsuccessful. 

The way the IRA was constructed necessitates that a state energy office handle refund requests. Contrary to many federal statutes, there is no federal workaround or mechanism to get around a stubborn governor.

The Biden administration is now left to hope that Florida will change its mind.

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