Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State address on March 4, 2024, emphasizing Florida’s leadership on key issues such as immigration, the economy, education, and disaster recovery.

Key Themes & Highlights:

1. Florida as a National Leader:

   • Florida has taken decisive action on immigration, enacting laws that make illegal entry into the state a crime and mandating law enforcement cooperation in immigration enforcement.

   • The state is not a sanctuary state, positioning itself as a “rule of law” state.

2. Economic Strength & Tax Cuts:

   • Florida’s economy has ranked #1 in GDP growth, entrepreneurship, and new business formation.

   • Unemployment has remained below the national average for over 50 months.

   • The state has cut taxes, reduced spending, and eliminated nearly 41% of its debt since 2019.

   • Homeowners' insurance rates are stabilizing, with lower increases than other states.

3. Education Reform & School Choice:

   • Florida has been ranked #1 in education for two years.

   • The state leads in school choice, allowing students access to alternative educational opportunities.

   • DeSantis emphasized teacher pay raises, civics education incentives, and removing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs from state universities.

4. Public Safety & Second Amendment:

   • Florida has enacted strict penalties for violent crimes, including the death penalty for pedophiles.

   • DeSantis proposed a tax holiday for firearms and ammunition to support Second Amendment rights.

5. Hurricane Recovery & Disaster Response:

   • Florida responded swiftly to hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, restoring power quickly and clearing debris.

   • Programs like Hope Florida have helped nearly 30,000 families become financially independent while saving taxpayers $108 million.

6. Environmental Initiatives:

   • The Florida Wildlife Corridor has been expanded to 18 million acres, helping protect species like the Florida panther.

   • DeSantis criticized federal delays in Everglades restoration, praising former President Trump’s support for block grants to speed up state-led projects.

7. Legislative Priorities & Conservative Policy Wins:

   • Banning China from buying Florida land.

   • Enacting a Digital Bill of Rights.

   • Blocking the central bank digital currency (CBDC).

   • Opposing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment mandates.

Final Message:

DeSantis closed by calling for continued leadership, legislative action, and a commitment to Florida’s conservative principles. He urged lawmakers to remain “in the arena”, working to maintain economic success, public safety, and freedom.

His speech reinforced Florida’s identity as a low-tax, high-growth, and law-and-order state, positioning it as a model for conservative governance nationwide.

Watch the full address here.