Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the Sunshine Skyway Bridge will be illuminated red, white, and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
“As Floridians prepare for Freedom Summer, Florida’s bridges will follow suit, illuminating in red, white, and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day! Thanks to the leadership of @GovRonDeSantis, Florida continues to be the freest state in the nation,” state Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue announced on X.
DeSantis had announced “Freedom Summer” on April 30.
The plan allows people to visit state parks for free. It temporarily suspends the state sales tax for outdoor recreational items related to activities such as fishing, boating, water sports, and camping.
Read: Florida State Park Fees Waived For Memorial Day Holiday Weekend: Time To Explore
The plan also blocked collection of sales tax on events such as sporting events, concerts, museums and fairs.
The FDOT directive also covers decorative lighting on other state-owned bridges, such as the Acosta Bridge in Jacksonville and the Ringling Bridge in Sarasota.
Manatee County’s Commission Chairman Mike Rahn expressed disapproval of requests for light displays honoring Pride and Gun Violence Awareness Day and said that the state owns the bridges.
“My concern is if we’re going to do it for one group, we have to do it for all groups, no matter what their political stance is,” Rahn said. “I feel, personally, that the bridge is being politicized by different organizations.”
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