CFO Patronis Applauds DeSantis Initiatives Targeting ESG

~ Puts Corporate America on Notice that Florida Will Hold Them Accountable~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed legislation cracking down on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards within Florida.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “When it comes to ESG, many of us have been boiled like a frog. The Governor is right that over time ESG has wound its way into too many aspects of American society, and pulling it back is going to take work. This proposed legislation puts returns first, it puts the Constitution first, and it puts corporate America on notice that if they play politics with Florida residents, we’ll have the tools to hold them accountable. I look forward to working with the DeSantis Administration, as well as Senate President Passidomo and House Speaker Renner in getting this legislation over the finish line.”

Last month, the CFO issued a directive barring ESG funds’ participation within the deferred compensation program, and in December divested $2 billion from management by BlackRock, a firm whose management has been a major proponent of ESG initiatives.