DeSantis proposes $1,000 bonus for Florida first responders

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced on Tuesday that he plans to use federal relief funds included in President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package to dole out $1,000 bonuses to first responders in the state.

DeSantis told First Coast News that he anticipates the state will receive between $9 billion and $10 billion in relief funds. He hopes to send out one-time $1,000 bonus checks to all of the state’s law enforcement officers, EMTs and firefighters, totaling about $208.4 million.

The governor said that he is preparing to send his proposal to the president of the state Senate and the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives to get a vote on the payments, according to the news outlet.

The funds would be administered through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, First Coast News noted.

“I’m also recommending the provision of $56.6 million to support the operations of the reemployment assistance program to accommodate increased volume and manage the adjudication of claims, particularly when you have disputed claims,” DeSantis said, adding that he hopes to recommend $72 million for a behavioral health management system that he hopes will help to streamline access to those services for state residents.

DeSantis also called for using relief funds to help Florida’s cruise and tourism industries and boost job growth, all of which have taken a hit due to the coronavirus pandemic.