FL NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE TONE, DEMANDS, AND ACCUSATIONS OF FL DOGE LETTER TO MAYOR DEMINGS AS INSULTING, UNDEMOCRATIC, POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, AND MEAN-SPIRITED!

An appalling letter from Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is part of a sweeping state-led audit targeting what officials call “excessive spending” in local governments. They should be focused on state spending. The July 24 letter accuses Orange County of increasing property tax collections by over $330 million and total expenditures by $1.6 billion over five years—a 57% increase.

Here’s what makes the letter particularly chilling:

• Tone and Framing: The letter frames the county’s spending as “reckless” and implies mismanagement, despite the county’s rapid population growth, amusement park, and hotel growth with the increased demand for services. The tone of the letter is authoritarian.
• Political Targeting: Orange County joins other blue-leaning areas like Broward and Gainesville in being audited, making this obviously about partisan motives behind the audits.
• Aggressive Demands: DOGE requested access to county facilities, data systems, and personnel for an on-site inspection, warning that financial penalties may accrue if the county fails to comply. They should not have access to personal information.
• Focus Areas: The audit zeroes in on spending related to DEI initiatives, environmental programs, homelessness services, and contracts over $10,000—areas often aligned with progressive governance. For example, they are looking at Orange County’s Multicultural Center.

Mayor Demings responded by urging the state to consider the county’s 81,000 new residents since 2020, which has strained public services like law enforcement and fire rescue. He emphasized that the county would cooperate but called the audit part of “mean-spirited politics”.

Julie Kent, President of FL NOW said “This is an obvious and unjustified political intrusion that undermines local governance, equity-driven policy, and the will of the people. She went on to detail her issues:

1. Defend Local Democracy

Orange County’s budget reflects the needs of our growing community. Our elected officials were chosen by voters to lead with integrity, equity, and foresight—not to be micromanaged by Tallahassee.

2. The Audit is clearly Politically Motivated

This audit isn’t about efficiency, it’s about intimidation. Targeting blue counties and cities for their progressive values is a clear attempt to undercut policies that center justice, care, and community investment. These are the values of the people that live in these areas.

3. Impact and Accountability

Orange County has welcomed over 80,000 new residents since 2020 as well as more amusement parks, hotels, housing, parking, etc. Increased spending on public safety, housing, and DEI initiatives is not excess—it’s responsibility. Orange County has nothing to hide and everything to be proud of. FL DOGE will undermine our local community governance.

4. This is Urgent

This isn’t just about one letter, it’s part of a pattern. Communities across Florida are being pressured for choosing value-driven leadership. We call on partners statewide to stand with us against punitive overreach.”

5. A Positive Vision

We envision a Florida where local voices are respected, equity is non-negotiable, and communities are empowered to build futures that reflect their values. That future begins with standing firm.”

Call to Action

• Email and call your senators and representatives to condemn this FL DOGE pre-emptive action.
• Call and email the governor close to daily.
• Share this gross overreach with family, friends, and neighbors for them to act.
• Send a support email to Mayor Demings and the City Council.
• Help to fight this with Greater Orlando NOW
• Find out if we can be part of the audit committee in some way to offer counterpoint.

Debbie Deland, VP FL NOW, said: “The FL DOGE actions are un-democratic and do not support municipalities’ self-governance. It is purely a mean-spirited political action as Mayor Demings said. The threats to our officials’ and county jobs are unacceptable. The creation of fear is wrong. We must watch closely for what they are going to cut since they are usually arbitrary. Let’s make our vehement objections loud and persistent. Let’s make our support of Mayor Demings and the whole Orange County Government as well as other counties and cities being attacked.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2025

President Julie Kent, Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW

ORLANDO, FL — The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) proudly joins the National Urban League in declaring a Civil Rights State of Emergency in Florida, in response to the wave of policy, legislative and budgetary assaults targeting Black communities, women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and other marginalized Floridians.

“This isn’t politics—it’s policy violence,” said Julie Kent, President of FL NOW. “From classroom censorship threatening scientific understanding and distorting historical truth to funding cuts undermining access to mental health and maternal care, our basic rights and protections are increasingly at risk. We stand in fierce solidarity with the Urban League in saying: ENOUGH. This is about all of us losing our civil rights. White middle class voters must stand up for their neighbors and friends to change this trajectory.”

FL NOW points to recent vetoes and budget decisions that reflect a dangerous pattern of erasure and exclusion:

• Elimination of funding for the Florida Museum of Black History
• Closure of LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline
• Cuts to eviction prevention services, childcare grants, and women’s workforce training programs
• Defunding of public media and community education initiatives
• Defunding scientific and medical research related to women’s health, such as Black Maternal Mortality, Uterine Fibroid, Ovarian Cancer Detection, Substance Use Disorder in Women, etc.
• Deep cuts to the Department of Education which directly impacts public schools and disproportionally harms marginalized communities

The total abandonment and dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, processes, policies, and practices ensures that civil rights will no longer be addressed. These attacks are not isolated—they form a coordinated effort to roll back the clock on civil rights and community progress.

“This is a crisis of conscience and a call to action,” said Debbie Deland, Vice President of FL NOW. “Women of color, especially Black women, are bearing the brunt of this harm. We can’t accept this harm to women. We expect better of America.”

FL NOW is mobilizing its statewide chapters to:

• Amplify local campaigns and civil rights declarations
• Demand legislative accountability, budget, and policy reversals
• Host briefings on intersectional civil rights

“We will not be silenced, sidelined, or sacrificed,” FL NOW declared. “Florida’s future depends on our refusal to normalize this injustice. Florida’s future success is dependent on honoring all peoples civil rights and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

FL NOW calls on all social justice organizations, elected officials, and Florida residents to join this united front. The emergency is real—and so is our resolve.

For Contact: Debbie Deland, Vice President FL NOW, 407 234-6408; dcdeland@att.net