Latest news with #Dellenback
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate votes to codify DeSantis' faith initiative, drawing criticism over anti-abortion campaigning
Erik Dellenback addresses the crowd during the Tallahassee stop on Oct. 15, 2024, of the Florida Family Voice and Vote No on 4 statewide tour. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix) The Senate voted Thursday to codify Gov. Ron DeSantis' faith and community initiative amid scrutiny of the initiative's former leader's involvement in campaigning against the unsuccessful abortion-rights amendment. Senators' 27-9 vote to ensure that an office of faith and community would remain in the executive branch after DeSantis' term ends came a week after it became known that the initiative's liaison had stepped down to lead an anti-abortion policy council. Although all Republicans voted for the bill, SB 820, two also supported an amendment from Boca Raton Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky prohibiting the liaison from participating in political campaigns while on duty and using the office to influence people's votes. Polsky read emails from Erik Dellenback, the former liaison, sent to faith leaders across the state advocating against the amendment to protect abortion access under the governor's masthead. Polsky brought up Dellenback's remarks framing the abortion-rights amendment as a biblical issue during an event held by Florida Family Voice, the group he's now CEO of. 'We've seen the abuse in this last election cycle of using the governor's office, using state agencies, and using this office of faith and community to promote a particular viewpoint, and you can't say it's not political,' Polsky said. Her amendment failed. Former Senate President Don Gaetz and Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud voted for Polsky's amendment. Dellenback left both his role with the faith and community initiative and as executive director of Hope Florida. News of the resignation emerged as the House deepened its probe into the Hope Florida Foundation, the charity associated with First Lady Casey DeSantis' initiative. Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, who's sponsoring the proposal, said that the Florida Supreme Court dismissed a complaint over state officials' involvement against the abortion-rights amendment. The court said the attorney who filed the suit lacked standing to do so as a civilian. 'My opinion on the issue is not relevant to the bill that's before us,' Yarborough said regarding how he felt about the emails Dellenback had sent. However, Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo said that DeSantis' influence makes it impossible for Floridians to file complaints against government officials, pointing out that the governor appointed his former chief of staff, James Uthmeier, as the new attorney general. 'There's not even a lieutenant governor to try to reason with,' Pizzo said. 'Right now, in the four corners of Florida, where is the ability to redress or have recourse of your grievance?' The House bill, HB 293, has cleared all of its committee stops but has not been scheduled for a House vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Miami Herald
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Hope Florida executive director resigns a day after testifying in House inquiry
The executive director of Hope Florida resigned on Wednesday, a day after testifying before a House committee about his work with first lady Casey DeSantis' top initiative. Erik Dellenback's resignation was confirmed by Gov. Ron DeSantis' office. 'Mr. Dellenback is resigning to pursue the opportunity to become the new CEO of Florida Family Voice and will remain involved with Hope Florida in an advisory capacity,' the governor's office said in an email to the Herald/Times. Dellenback's time as the executive director of Hope Florida – a state program intended to help wean people off government aid by connecting them with churches and faith-based charities – lasted just three months. Dellenback's resignation comes as the program and the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity created to support the initiative, face scrutiny over their operations. At the center of the tumult: a $10 million donation the foundation received from a $67 million Medicaid state settlement that was previously undisclosed to the state Legislature. After the donation was received, the charity gave $5 million apiece to two separate organizations — Save Our Society from Drugs and Secure Florida's Future Inc. The groups later gave millions to a political committee waging an anti-marijuana campaign backed by the governor. Dellenback was called to testify before a House committee on Tuesday. At the meeting, testimony showed that those running the charity did not ask many questions before steering the $10 million to the dark-money groups. Lawmakers also found during the committee hearing that the charity didn't keep meeting minutes, had no budget or bylaws and didn't file its tax returns, all of which are requirements in state laws that govern ethics, oversight and governance. 'The decision by Erik Dellenback shows his character and integrity,' Rep. Alex Andrade, the Pensacola Republican who has been investigating the charity, said Wednesday in reaction to the resignation. On Tuesday, Dellenback described his leadership at Hope Florida as an extension of his role as the governor's liaison for faith and community, a post he has held for more than five years. He did not mention that he was planning to leave his post with Hope Florida during the meeting. Dellenback is leaving to lead The Florida Family Voice, a Christian organization that opposes abortion and LGBTQ rights. It is an influential voice in conservative politics. In his role with the governor's office, Dellenback has used his official position to advocate against abortion, including campaigning against Amendment 4, a ballot measure last year that would have broadened access to abortion. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
