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Questioned by reporters at an event Tuesday in Tampa highlighting the work of Hope Florida, Republican Gov. defended the initiative, which uses state employees to help connect Floridians in need with faith institutions and community-based nonprofits and wean them off government assistance.

鈥淚 believe in this program deeply and I stand by it 100%,鈥� DeSantis said.

鈥淭his is a rewiring of the way that government operates,鈥� the first lady said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a model for the nation. Instead of saying, 鈥楬ere鈥檚 a handout,鈥� let鈥檚 give you hope and a hand up to live up to your God-given potential,” she added.

State lawmakers in DeSantis’ own party have been scrutinizing the program and its nonprofit foundation, which gave $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement to two nonprofits. Those groups in turn gave millions to a political committee, chaired by DeSantis鈥� then-chief of staff, that campaigned against a failed referendum on recreational marijuana.

On Tuesday, Mark Wilson, the president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the chair of one of the nonprofits that received the grants, appeared at the event with the governor and first lady to highlight businesses that are collaborating with Hope Florida.

鈥淔olks, we are just getting started,鈥� Wilson said.

鈥淚magine the connection that happens when churches and employers and government works together,鈥� he added.

Last month, Republican state Rep. Alex Andrade wrapped up the investigation he had been spearheading into Hope Florida, saying he would leave the rest of the inquiry to 鈥渢he FBI and Department of Justice.鈥� Andrade has alleged that the flow of funds from the foundation to the nonprofits and on to the political committees amounts to 鈥渃onspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.”

DeSantis has dismissed the investigation of Hope Florida as a politically motivated smear against his wife, who he’s floated as when he terms out in 2026.

鈥淚 think that everything that鈥檚 been thrown at it is pure politics,鈥� DeSantis said.

___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.