Ron DeSantis in 2022 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
Florida is a law and order state
We also will continue to honor our commitment to safe communities. Florida is a law and order state. We will not allow law enforcement to be defunded, bail to be eliminated, criminals to be prematurely released from prison or prosecutors to ignore the
law. These soft-on-crime policies have been tried in communities throughout the country to disastrous results: crime has skyrocketed, morale for police officers has plummeted and quality of life has been destroyed.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
On Education:
Provide parents with means to enforce state standards
While it is important to embrace high academic standards and to measure student achievement, the FSA test is not the best way to do it. I am proposing the elimination of the FSA and replacing it with periodic progress monitoring. This will lead to
meaningful feedback for parents and teachers and reduce the time dedicated to testing, leaving more time for learning. This reform will be better for students, teachers and parents, and it will help Florida remain a leader in education reform.
Florida has enacted a Parents' Bill of Rights and we reject the notion that parents shouldn't have a say in what their kids learn in school. Indeed, Florida law should provide parents with the right to review the curriculum used in their children's
schools. We should provide parents with recourse so that state standards are enforced, such as Florida's prohibition on infusing subjects with critical race theory in our classrooms.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
On Government Reform:
Clean the voter rolls, mails ballots only on request
It is Orwellian doublespeak to invoke the concept of "Voting rights" to mean ballot harvesting, prohibiting voter ID and taxpayer funding of elections. Ballot harvesting has no place in Florida and we need to increase the penalties for those who do it.
We also need to ensure that supervisors clean the voter rolls, that only citizens are registered to vote and that mail ballots only go to those who actually request them before each individual election.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
On Immigration:
Re-route illegal aliens in Florida to sanctuary states
As a state, we cannot be a party to what is effectively a massive human smuggling operation run by the federal government. Companies who are facilitating the movement of illegal aliens from the southern border to Florida should be held accountable,
including by paying restitution to the state for all the costs they are imposing on our communities. I am also requesting funds so that when the feds dump illegal aliens in Florida, the state can re-route them to states that have sanctuary policies.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
On Principles & Values:
We have made Florida the freest state in these United States
Together we have made Florida the freest state in these United States. While so many around the country have consigned the people's rights to the graveyard, Florida has stood as freedom's vanguard.
Florida has become the escape hatch for those chafing under authoritarian, arbitrary and seemingly never-ending mandates and restrictions.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
On Tax Reform:
I am proposing a $1 billion gas tax holiday
Inflation is an invisible tax. It represents a pay cut for individuals and families alike. And one of the ways families have felt the pinch has been in significantly higher gas prices. To help alleviate this burden for
Florida families, I am proposing a $1 billion gas tax holiday to help reduce prices at the pump. If Washington, D.C., won't change course, then we have a responsibility to step up on behalf of Floridians.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
On Technology:
Enact protections for the data privacy of all Floridians
Big Tech companies have used their platforms to elevate preferred narratives and to stifle dissent, serving as a de facto council of censors. Florida was the first state to legislate protections for its citizens and we should build on this success.
These same companies make a fortune by selling user data. Floridians should not have their data utilized by Big Tech without providing affirmative consent and I urge the Legislature to enact protections for the data privacy of all Floridians.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Page last updated: Apr 04, 2022