Treasure Coast Newspapers

Gil Smart was exhausted and grumpy by the time he finished scrolling all the way down to the sixth and next to last paragraph of the environmental section of Andrew Gillum's website looking for a mention of "toxic algae." This compares unfavorably with Ron DeSantis' website which proclaims early and often that he will "stop toxic algae discharges!"



DeSantis, along with Brian Mast, is also given credit for being one of three Florida representatives to vote in favor of the amendment to curtail sugar subsidies in the Farm Bill.

That amendment, it should be observed, failed as expected by a drama-free 141 votes.

Smart neglects to mention that a month later, when the party loyalty chips were down, all three congressmen voted in favor of the farm bill which still contained the unamended sugar subsidy language. That bill passed by two votes.



The rest of DeSantis' environmental record is not reassuring.

In Congress, DeSantis backed continuing subsidies for and allowing new offshore drilling (just not off Florida). He voted to slash EPA and clean energy funding. He voted for the Keystone pipeline and against disaster funding for Flint, Mich..

His votes against the Stream Protection rule and his vote to prevent EPA enforcement of pollution reduction requirements for the Chesapeake Bay offer a jarring contrast with his promise to fix our water.



Should we take DeSantis and his greenwashing website at his word?

I am usually inclined to give more weight to deeds than words. If, however, DeSantis pinky swears to give us clean water and appoint the tooth fairy to the SFWMD board, I might yet be swayed. And if he doesn't come through on clean water, he can always show the next generation of kids how to build a wall.

David Cross, Stuart