By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Governor DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have ended lifetime alimony?
In an apparent swing to the political-left, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill passed by the Florida Legislature to end lifetime alimony.
This past April, DeSantis gave Florida tax funds to an African-American father’s group operated by former professional football coach, Tony Dungy. Some Florida women’s groups were incensed by DeSantis’ action which no-doubt sparked a backlash against the governor. Feeling pressure from not only women’s groups, but also the $100 Billion per-year-Family Law section of the Florida Bar Association, the governor vetoed the bill.
Another part of the bill would have required judges to begin with a “presumption” that children should equally split their time with parents. This was another key factor in DeSantis’ decision not to sign the bill.
In his written veto, the governor stated “If CS/CS/SB 1796 were to become law and be given retroactive effect as the Legislature intends, it would unconstitutionally impair vested rights under certain preexisting marital settlement agreements.”
In a written response to the governor’s veto, Marc Johnson, a Tampa area attorney who is president of a pro-overhaul group, Florida Family Fairness, wrote, “We are incredibly disappointed by the veto of this much needed bill. Today, Gov. DeSantis chose divorce lawyers over Florida’s families and parents who love their children and who want to be part of their lives.”