DeSantis Earmarks $20M For HBCU Security Updates
Gov. Ron DeSantis has unveiled a plan that gives $20M for security upgrades at Florida HBCUs,
As a part of Florida’s proposed 2024-25 budget marketed as the “Focus on Florida’s Future”, the Republican presidential candidate allocates $2.5 million each for “support facility hardening needs” to Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters University, and Florida Memorial University.
Additionally, the budget earmarks another $10M for “security and equipment upgrades” for Jewish Day schools in the state.
Seeking to address the vulnerability of the state’s institutions, the Florida Legislature passed a bill that earmarked $45 million for physical security funding for schools during a special session in November. Also, $25 million was earmarked for Jewish day schools, and another $20 million was set aside for the Division of Emergency Management to give to locations that “demonstrate an elevated threat level.”
In a statement on Tuesday (Dec. 12), Democratic State Sen. Shevrin Jones argued that the proposal falls short of what it would take to adequately secure HBCUs.
“While the Governor appropriately proposes measures to address Jewish student safety, I was struck by the conspicuous absence of protections for Historically Black Colleges and Universities as they face a troubling increase of campus threats,” Jones said. “Our goal must be safety across the board – not just for some communities.”
The announcement of the proposal follows the criticism of DeSantis for his attitude toward Black citizens. Following the mass shooting in Jacksonville, Black leaders questioned the sincerity of DeSantis when he denounced the racist attack.
“He refuses to use the word Black. He refuses to call that man a racist. He calls him a scumbag. No! He’s tiptoeing around the true issue because he’s worried that his poll numbers will drop with the base of voters that he has religiously went after,” State Rep. Angie Nixon said at the time.
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. Diaz. noted that the $550M plan for school safety includes “$290 million to be allocated by the Office of Safe Schools, $108 million for mental health allocation” and $42 million for public school hardening grants.
