Ron DeSantis in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Abortion: Reject loosening law on late term abortions

We also need to stand by students with special needs and their families. That means eliminating the waitlist of 1,900 students for Gardiner Scholarships. The Gardiner scholarship is our way of saying that everyone counts and that these are lives worth living. And while we are at it, I wholeheartedly reject the callous disregard for human life displayed by the Governors of Virginia and New York. We won't allow that to happen in Florida. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Education: Invest in higher ed; focus on job skills

I'm proud that Florida's university system is ranked #1 in the nation. Skills-based education offers a focused, and often more cost-effective means, by which students can acquire the tools to be successful. I have proposed a plan to take Florida from middle of the pack to number 1 in workforce education by 2030. Our initiatives include grants to place students in apprenticeships, money to train teachers in computer science and funds for workforce programs within our state college system. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Education: Prioritize attracting and retaining great teachers

We need to do more to recruit, retain and reward great teachers. To this end, I have proposed replacing Best and Brightest bonus program with a revised $423 million program that will reward more than 40,000 teachers with bonuses approaching $10k. I'm also requesting $10 million for a tuition and loan forgiveness program for as many as 1,700 teachers who commit to teaching in Florida schools for 5 years. Attracting and keeping great teachers in our classrooms should be a high priority. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Education: Expand Tax Credit Scholarships for school choice

Florida has expanded opportunity through the Tax Credit Scholarship program for students from low-income families. More than 100,000 students--nearly 70% of whom are African-American or Hispanic, with an average family income of roughly $26,000 per year--are utilizing the scholarship. More low-income families would like the opportunity to obtain a scholarship for their kids. Let's stand with working moms and empower them to choose the best learning environment for their kids. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Environment: Must be bold in tackling Florida's water problems

We are repositioning our water policy by: expediting key projects like the EAA reservoir and raising the Tamiami Trail; establishing a blue-green algae task force to develop policies to fight algae blooms, fight red tide and improve water quality; and appointing a Chief Science Officer to better harness scientific data and research. I've requested $2.5 billion for water resources projects and Everglades restoration. Given the persistent water problems we have seen, now is the time to be bold. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Foreign Policy: Oppose socialist president of Venezuela; support opposition

I had a meeting in the Oval Office about the situation in Venezuela. To the President's credit, he recognized Juan Guaido as the interim president and made clear that the dictator Nicol s Maduro has got to go. The tragedy in Venezuela is a result of a failed socialist experiment--a system that is hostile to human liberty and contrary to human nature. The tyranny that has resulted is the natural outgrowth of trying to impose this failed ideology on the people of Venezuela. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Foreign Policy: Pro-Israel; take action against boycott

I thank the Legislature for defending the US-Israel relationship by enacting anti-BDS legislation [the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement]. I reject attempts to target Israel for disfavored treatment and will enforce the anti-BDS provisions vigorously. This whole enterprise of targeting Israel for economic harm is such a fraud and merely a cover for antisemitism. In Florida, rest assured that BDS is DOA. I look forward to furthering the relationship between Florida and Israel. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Health Care: Against Medicare-for-all; keep private insurance

We need to enact policies to make health insurance, prescription drugs and medical care more affordable for Floridians. As you are aware, health care is being hotly debated at the national level, so let me say: Any proposal that seeks to eliminate the private health insurance policies of millions of Floridians is unacceptable. Government has no right to take away the policies that Floridians earn through their jobs or purchase on the individual market. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Immigration: No sanctuary cities in Florida

Florida will not be a sanctuary state - we won't allow someone here illegally to commit criminal misconduct and simply be returned to our communities. And we won't tolerate sanctuary cities that actively frustrate law enforcement by shielding criminal aliens from accountability at the expense of public safety. Let's prohibit sanctuary cities in Florida. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

On Tax Reform: Must remain a low-tax state with no income tax

It is often said that states serve as laboratories of democracies. The result has been a migration of wealth from states that tax heavily, spend profligately, and regulate excessively to states, like Florida, that tax lightly, spend conservatively, and regulate reasonably. We won't repeat those mistakes in Florida. We will always remain a low-tax state. And we will never have an income tax! I have proposed more than $330 million in tax relief for Florida families, including a property tax cut. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature Mar 5, 2019

The above quotations are from 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Ron DeSantis. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019