Conservative Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pulling out all the stops to oppose ballot measures to restore abortion access and legalize cannabis in the state — spending millions in taxpayer dollars on TV ad campaigns designed to undercut both measures.
“DUI crashes increase in states with legalized marijuana — putting everyone at risk,” says a TV ad run by the Florida Department of Transportation, which adds that a DUI “can more than double your car insurance.” The ad suggests, in a backhanded way, that alcohol is better than weed: “Unlike alcohol, there's no easy way for law enforcement to detect how high you are when driving.”
The intent of the ad is rather obvious, given DeSantis' public opposition to Amendment 3, the measure to legalize marijuana. The amendment's supporters are calling on TV stations to stop running the ad, describing it as taxpayer-funded, political “propaganda.”
Several Florida health care agencies have joined forces to run an ad about how the state's six-week abortion ban is not a big deal. “No woman can go to jail for having an abortion — and abortions are available before a child's heartbeat is detected, and in cases of rape or anxiety, incest, and to save the life and health of the mother,” says the ad.
In reality, doctors say Florida's abortion ban is putting their patients' health and lives at risk, as providers are delaying or refusing to provide necessary medical care out of fear they could lose their medical licenses or be put in jail.
The ad directs viewers to get “accurate information about all your options” at a state website that is filled with baseless attacks on Amendment 4 — the measure to undo Florida's abortion ban — which it says “threatens women's safety.”
“We must keep Florida from becoming an abortion tourism destination state,” argues the state website, which also names donors supporting the abortion ballot measure.
The abortion ballot measure's sponsor, represented by the ACLU Foundation of Florida, filed a lawsuit against Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration to have the website and similar ads taken down.
On Tuesday, Florida journalist Jason Garcia reported that the DeSantis administration recently purchased $15.5 million in taxpayer-funded ads. Garcia's breakdown listed $12.5 million in ad spending from Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration; the Department of Children & Families; and the Department of Health. Those agencies are listed as sponsors of the state's new anti-abortion ad.
“As Floridians prepare for a major hurricane, the state of Florida is airing TV ads during the local news to dissuade voters from protecting their freedom,” Lauren Brenzel, Yes on 4 campaign director, said in a statement Tuesday. “The government of Florida is choosing to use millions of taxpayer dollars to spread disinformation to voters about abortion instead of helping Floridians deal with the potential catastrophic destruction that could come from Hurricane Helene.”
Brenzel called the ads “an abuse of taxpayer resources” and a “blatant misallocation of public funds.”
“It is an insult to Floridians and our democratic process,” they added, “and Floridians deserve better.”
