At the steps of Florida’s Historic Capitol, Governor Ron DeSantis’s inaugural address focused on Florida’s achievements to improve resident’s lives and safety and to ensure Florida “remains The Free State of Florida”
In his address Governor DeSantis spoke of the “bold agenda” he set four years ago and he highlighted the achievements of that “bold agenda”. The results were a record budget surplus, cutting taxes, logical regulating, conservatively spending, passing substantial education reform, passing essential support of law enforcement, and making sure Floridan’s remained free from medical mandates and remained free to conduct their lives as they saw fit. As a result of that “bold agenda” Florida is the fastest growing state and #1 in new business formation, #1 in tourism, #1 in economic freedom, #1 in education freedom, #1 in parental involvement in education, #1 in public higher education and #1 in the US in net in-migration.
Florida is not resting with these notable achievements; the goals for the next four years are tax relief for Florida families suffering from inflation and high energy costs. Focus on academic excellence, responsiveness and the pursuit of truth regarding parents and students. Remain a law-and-order state, support and protect law enforcement and constrain soft on crime laws that puts Florida’s communities at risk.
There will also be other issues to address which were not mentioned in the speech. Among the largest is the open borders policy Washington, D.C. continues to support. The continuing flow of the millions of illegal aliens which continue to burden communities and costs states and local governments millions to combat. The fentanyl crisis and human trafficking which are a direct result of the open borders policies which cost states and local governments millions to provide law and order to respond to crimes and homelessness, medical emergencies, overdoses and drug education. Another issue is the highest inflationary rate of all times which affects all citizens having to make a choice to buy groceries, buy gas to get to work, have a place to live or even seek medical care and/or buy medications. Also the high cost of energy is affecting all Floridians and all Florida governments. Whether it’s for fuel for transportation or heating, it is causing a shortage in every citizen’s budget along with state and local government budgets.
These issues all stem from Washington; however all local citizens and state and local governments are heavily affected by their policies. Our Florida Governor and Our Florida Legislative Elected Officials are our next line of defense from Washington Policies. Without a strong state government who will stand and ensure our freedom and ideology of The Constitution we are forever susceptible to Washington’s next bad policy.
Let’s celebrates Florida success and freedom and pray for its continued success and freedom. Governor DeSantis said it very well “Freedom lives here, in our great Sunshine State of Florida’.
Published | Jackson County Times | January 12, 2023