Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his 2025 State of the State address Tuesday to a joint legislative session in the House chamber, heralding the state’s achievements and outlining priorities as the annual session begins.
Emphasizing Florida’s role as a national leader, DeSantis highlighted economic strength, immigration reforms, and educational advancements while calling for continued fiscal discipline and legislative action on issues like property taxes and school choice.
READ: Florida Senators Move To Repeal School Start Time Mandate Ahead Of 2026 Deadline
“Florida leads with purpose and conviction,” DeSantis declared, invoking American principles—rights from God, limited government, and rule of law—as the state’s compass. He touted recent laws aligning with President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, effective this session, making illegal entry a crime and mandating local law enforcement to aid federal efforts.
“No state has done more, and no state did it sooner,” he said, spotlighting Immigration Czar Larry Keefe and Sheriff Wayne Ivey as key figures in ending “catch and release.”
Economically, DeSantis boasted Florida’s top rankings: #1 in GDP growth among large states, entrepreneurship, and new business formations, with unemployment below the national average for over four years. He credited a business-friendly climate—bolstered by 142 million tourists in 2024—and insurance reforms that cut auto rates 6-10.5% and stabilized homeowners’ markets, with 130,000 new private policies last year.
Proposing tax relief, he pitched holidays for marine fuel and Second Amendment gear, plus scrapping the state’s unique business rent tax.
READ: Armed Florida Kidnapping Suspect Apprehended After I-95 Pursuit
On education, Florida’s #1 ranking held firm, with DeSantis championing universal school choice—benefiting students like Thorne McCullough, present at the address—and a $4.6 billion teacher pay boost. He nodded to Hernando County’s Jaime Suarez, 2025 Teacher of the Year, and urged more salary hikes and civics bonuses. Universities, he said, thrive without DEI, maintaining the nation’s lowest in-state tuition since 2019.
DeSantis praised First Lady Casey’s Hope Florida initiative, aiding 30,000 off welfare—saving $108 million—and supporting 57,000 post-hurricane via Activate Hope. Environmentally, he touted the 18-million-acre Florida Wildlife Corridor and record Everglades funding, pressing Trump’s administration for block grants to speed restoration. Hurricane recovery efforts drew applause, from linemen restoring power to Trooper Orlando Morales’ dog rescue, dubbed “Trooper.”
READ: Trudeau Slams Trump’s Tariffs As Canada Fires Back With $155 Billion In Retaliation
Fiscal restraint shone: state spending dropped this year, debt fell 41% since 2019, and rainy day funds tripled. “Can Congress take a page from Florida’s playbook?” he quipped, contrasting Florida’s $660 per capita debt to the U.S.’s $100,000. Upcoming priorities include tackling petition fraud, condo issues, and Second Amendment rights, with a 2026 ballot push to curb property tax hikes.
DeSantis lauded legislative leaders—Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton—and cabinet members, including outgoing CFO Jimmy Patronis and new AG James Uthmeier, urging lawmakers to seize the session’s 60-day window. Quoting Teddy Roosevelt and Walt Whitman, he framed Florida’s journey as unfinished but on course, with “true north” in sight.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
