Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday stated he has $1 million prepared for any lawsuits across the choice to maintain Florida State University out of the faculty soccer playoff.
Mr. DeSantis, a Republican and 2024 contender for president, introduced the pool of funds in a speech about his price range proposal for the approaching 12 months. FSU went 13-0 this season however was overlooked of the playoff whereas two groups with one loss — Alabama and Texas — made it to the ultimate 4 together with Michigan and Washington.
“We’re setting aside a million dollars for any litigation expenses that may [come] as a result of this really, really poor decision by the college football playoffs to exclude an undefeated team who won a big Power Five conference championship,” Mr. DeSantis stated.
Mr. DeSantis went to bat for FSU in the future after former President Donald Trump, the front-runner within the Republican presidential major, recommended the governor didn’t foyer onerous sufficient for FSU earlier than Sunday’s choice.
“Lets blame DeSanctimonious!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Mr. Trump, who famously moved from New York to Florida throughout his presidency, held a virtually 40-point lead over the governor in a November ballot of probably Florida GOP voters.
Mr. DeSantis is vying with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy because the likeliest options to Mr. Trump.
Mr. DeSantis outlined his price range in the future earlier than he takes the stage in Alabama for the fourth GOP debate. Mr. Trump refuses to debate. Mrs. Haley, Mr. Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will be part of Mr. DeSantis in Tuscaloosa on the University of Alabama — whose Crimson Tide edged out FSU for the playoff.
As a local of Florida and its governor, Mr. DeSantis stated he needs to see the state’s faculties vying for nationwide championships. He additionally stated his youngsters have adopted the Seminoles as their workforce whereas they stay within the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee, residence to FSU.
“They are all Noles, and they are big-time fans, and they do the tomahawk chop and they were not happy on Sunday when Florida State was left out,” Mr. DeSantis stated. “So, it’s unfortunate we have to do that, but we are going to put aside $1 million and let the chips fall where they may on that.”
Mr. DeSantis stated different faculty funding will embrace cash for the Bright Futures scholarship program that lets some high-performing college students attend premier faculties at low price or with out tuition.
He will remove variety, fairness and inclusion applications, arguing faculties typically attempt to elevate tuition to fund the “divisive” initiatives as an alternative of specializing in benefit.
On the entire, he stated, Florida faculties are outperforming many faculties within the nation.
“I like those academic rankings,” he stated, “I just want the football rankings to match them.”
