TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In another surprising move, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has put a stop to a GOP-backed bill that would ban local municipalities from banning plastic straws.
A Republican himself, DeSantis issued the veto Friday of the House Bill 771 which would have banned straw bans, according to a letter he addressed to the secretary of state.
It was the first veto since he took office.
Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and Miami Beach have already enacted single-use straw bans. A full straw ban is expected to take place for St. Petersburg starting in 2020.
DeSantis explained he issued a veto on the bill since the measures to ban straws has not "frustrated any state policy or harmed the state's interests."
He included that he also decided to veto the bill since banning plastic straws has been encouraged by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to reduce the use of plastic straws by residents, schools, and businesses.
The seemingly pro-environmental governor also included that the plastic straw bans should be decided on a local community basis and be addressed "through the political process." He added that if residents oppose straw bans, they can "seek recourse" by "electing people who share their views."
The veto comes nearly a month after DeSantis outlined a $625 million plan for Everglades restoration and red tide restoration.
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