After the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, many organizations, sports teams, and politicians shared their thoughts on the matter and even tried to place the blame of the tragedy on guns. One statement was given by the Tampa Bay Rays. Not only did they say the event shook them to their core, but added, “This cannot become normal. We cannot become numb. We cannot look the other way. We all know, if nothing changes, nothing changes.” The baseball organization also noted that they were donating tens of thousands of dollars to anti-Second Amendment organizations. The only problem, it seemed the Rays forgot what state they resided in as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis answered the statement by vetoing tens of millions of dollars set aside for the baseball team. 

According to OutKick, “DeSantis plans to veto a $35 million legislation for a Pasco County facility that’s earmarked for the Tampa Bay Rays’ spring training. DeSantis’s decision is in response to the Rays politicizing recent shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde ahead of a matchup with the Yankees in May.”

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The move from DeSantis came after the statement was released that included the team saying, “The Rays organization stands committed to actionable change and has made a $50,000 commitment to Everytown for Gun Safety’s Support Fund. Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in America. Rather than our usual game coverage on social media tonight, we’ve partnered with Everytown to amplify facts about gun violence in America.”

It should be noted that this isn’t the first time DeSantis has taken a stance with those who received aid from the Florida government. Not that long ago, the Republican went to war with the Disney Company who criticized the GOP and DeSantis for their stance on gender identity and sexual orientation being taught in schools.

The Governor released his own statement after ending the special tax privileges that were given to the Disney company back in 1967 that saved them tens of millions of dollars in taxes and fees every year. “I’m just not comfortable having that type of agenda get special treatment in my state.”

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