TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State address Tuesday to mark the beginning of the 2024 legislative session. He was joined by members of the Florida House and Senate, cabinet members, state supreme court justices and invited guests to deliver his vision for the session.
The governor started his address by comparing Florida to states like New York and California. He said their policies are what is driving more people to move to the Sunshine State.
"My message is simple: Stay the course. The state of our state is strong. Let’s keep doing what works. Let’s continue to make Florida the envy of the nation," DeSantis said.
He also spent time talking about education. He highlighted a Clark County mother who worked year-round to promote the Parental Bill of Rights. He also plans to propose another round of teacher pay raises.
"My budget proposal for this year includes another $1.25 billion for even more pay increases and these initiatives are important because they help us recruit and retain great teachers," DeSantis said.
The governor touched on the Israel and Hamas war and the work the state did to bring stranded Floridians home. He also welcomed Jewish students who feel unsafe on college campuses in other states to transfer to universities in Florida. He plans to waive minimum credit hour requirements for those who decide to transfer and waive application date windows.
DeSantis also announced his budget proposal reduces the budget by $4 billion and will include $1.1 billion in tax cuts for Floridians.
The biggest takeaway from the address was the criticism of other states.
“It's not surprising given this that we've witnessed and continue to witness a great migration of Americans away from cities and states pursuing these failed policies, with Florida serving as a refuge of freedom and sanity," said DeSantis.
Democrats were quick to call the Governor's address another campaign speech.
Sen. Tracie Davis, who represents the Jacksonville area, said she and her colleagues feel like they do not have a clear focus on where the session is headed this year.
"I've had many conversations and right now, we just don't know what to expect from this session, including the fact that we have a governor running for president. And when his Iowa caucus is over and he comes back to the state, what will he demand? What will he seek out from my Republican colleagues who literally gave him everything, including the kitchen sink, the last session?" Sen. Davis said.
Jacksonville Representative Angie Nixon said the governor failed to address some of the biggest issues in the state right now, which are affordable housing and rising insurance rates.
“I would love to hear how he is going to help lower property insurance rates, provide relief for property insurance cost, as well as the rising cost of rent,” Nixon explained.
Republicans, on the other hand, echoed the governor's points.
Rep. Dean Black, who represents Nassau County and parts of Duval County, applauded the governor's speech and the work they accomplished last year.
"We've made Florida, in the governor's words, the envy of America, and I would add the envy of the world. What we do here in Florida is stupendous," Black said.