ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) has issued a sharp rebuke of the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), calling its recent audit demand of Orange County “insulting, undemocratic, politically motivated, and mean-spirited.”
The July 24 letter from DOGE to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings accuses the county of a 57% spending increase over five years—including a $330 million increase in property tax collections and $1.6 billion rise in total expenditures. The agency’s tone, according to critics, is hostile and accusatory, implying reckless fiscal management.
FL NOW criticized the audit’s authoritarian tone and the targeting of progressive policy areas, such as DEI initiatives, environmental programs, and homelessness services—labeling the letter “chilling” in its language and intent. The audit demands access to county data, facilities, and staff for on-site inspections, and threatens financial penalties for noncompliance—raising concerns about data privacy and overreach.
“This is an obvious and unjustified political intrusion that undermines local governance and equity-driven policy,” said Julie Kent, President of FL NOW. “Orange County’s budget reflects the needs of our growing community. Our elected officials were chosen by voters—not to be micromanaged by Tallahassee.”
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings responded by emphasizing that the county has added more than 81,000 residents since 2020, placing greater strain on law enforcement, fire rescue, and other public services. He committed to cooperating with the state but described the audit as “mean-spirited politics” targeting blue counties like Orange, Broward, and Gainesville.
In its public statement, FL NOW issued a statewide call to action, urging residents to contact their elected officials, support Mayor Demings and the Orange County Commission, and raise awareness about what they describe as Tallahassee’s pattern of punishing progressive local governments.
“We envision a Florida where local voices are respected, equity is non-negotiable, and communities are empowered to build futures that reflect their values,” the statement concludes. “That future begins with standing firm.”
