Ron DeSantis in 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
Opposes insane fantasy of defunding law enforcement
Florida is a state dedicated to law and order. When riots broke out across the nation last year, we saw cities ruined by violent mobs. Law enforcement was targeted and lawlessness prevailed. This was not--and must never be--tolerated in the state of
Florida. We have proposed the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement reforms in the nation. We will not permit localities to jeopardize the safety of their citizens by indulging in the insane fantasy of defunding law enforcement.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
On Education:
COVID: other states not opening schools a policy blunder
The failure of so many places outside of Florida to open schools at the beginning of the school year will go down as one of the biggest policy blunders of our time. Florida did not make that mistake. We followed the data and stood by our parents and
students. We ignored the political posturing and fear-mongering and did what was right for Floridians. Florida has succeeded where so many other states have failed in providing opportunities for its students.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
On Education:
Rejects education cuts, launched civics initiative
I reject reductions in funding for K-12 education. The Legislature answered my call to increase the average minimum salary for teachers, taking Florida from the bottom half of states to the top 5. Let us keep this momentum going. We are beginning to
place a strong--and long overdue--emphasis on vocational education. Florida has launched an ambitious civics initiative so that students can understand the principles that make our country unique. Florida is leading on education.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
On Environment:
Create Resilient Florida program to deal with flooding
I am also proposing the creation of the Resilient Florida program under the Department of Environmental protection. Through this initiative, Florida will invest $1 billion into projects that help our communities adapt to the threats posed by flooding
from intensified storms and sea level rise. I am encouraged by similar proposals from the legislature to address this important issue for our communities, and I look forward to signing into law a program that will make a difference.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
On Government Reform:
No to ballot harvesting and private groups spending money
We cannot allow Big Tech to interfere in our elections by putting a thumb on the scale for political candidates favored by Silicon Valley. We need to make sure our elections are transparent and run efficiently. There should be no ballot harvesting in
the state of Florida. One person, one vote. We also cannot allow private groups to pour millions of dollars into the administration of our elections. That is a public function and should be done free from this type of private interference.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
On Health Care:
COVID: We will not close schools, jobs, businesses
Friends, legislators, Floridians, lend me your ears: We will not let anybody close your schools, we will not let anybody take your jobs and we will not let anybody close your businesses!Our efforts saved lives. In fact, 40 states have suffered higher
COVID mortality for seniors aged 65+ on a per capita basis than Florida. The cases and hospitalizations for seniors in Florida have plummeted as vaccinations have increased. Florida was right to prioritize the elderly. Seniors First works.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Florida sun a beacon of light for those yearning for freedom
There are not a whole lot of Floridians who are itching to move from Florida to lockdown states, but there are thousands and thousands of people who are seeking to leave the lockdowns behind for the greener pastures in Florida. We have long been known
as the Sunshine State--but, given the unprecedented lockdowns we have witnessed in other states, I think the Florida sun now serves as a beacon of light to those who yearn for freedom.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
On Technology:
Floridians have a right to control their personal data
Floridians have a right to control their personal data and Big Tech should not be able to make billions of dollars off us without our informed consent. Florida always strongly supports free speech, and we cannot allow the contours of acceptable
speech to be adjudicated by the whims of oligarchs in Silicon Valley. Nor we can allow Floridians to be "de-platformed" or silenced with no means of recourse. This is especially true of those who rely on these technology platforms for their livelihoods.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022