Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday gave his State of the State address to formally start the 2020 legislative session. Here’s the full text as prepared for delivery.
Ron DeSantis
2019 In Review: New Sheriff In Town
In 2019, the change brought by DeSantis was the most important story in state government and politics. During his Jan. 8 inauguration address, DeSantis praised Scott, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last year, for leaving a “strong foundation” but also pointed toward what was to come.
Two Open Florida Supreme Court Seats Draw 31 Applicants, Two From 5th District
The candidates, primarily appellate and circuit judges from across the state, are seeking to replace former justices Robert Luck and Barbara Lagoa, who were appointed by President Donald Trump to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
DeSantis Orders All High School Seniors to Take Civics Exam Similar to Immigrants’ Citizenship Test
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday his administration will require all high school seniors in Florida to take a civics exam, similar to the one taken by people who want to become naturalized U.S. citizens.
Slamming State on Felons’ Voting Rights, Judge Accuses DeSantis of ‘Running Out the Clock’ Before Election
A federal judge on Tuesday excoriated lawyers representing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, accusing the state of trying to “run out the clock” to keep felons from voting in next year’s elections.
Appointments to Federal Bench Open Two More Seats on Florida Supreme Court
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Lagoa’s appointment to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, setting the stage for Gov. Ron DeSantis to make two appointments to the state’s highest court.
DeSantis Wants $1 Billion Injection into Public Education, Mostly For Teacher Pay
After dubbing next year the “Year of the Teacher,” DeSantis has made two major teacher-compensation packages the centerpiece of his education spending plan for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
DeSantis Proposes $91.4 Billion Budget, With Focus on Teachers and Environment
Lawmakers will decide whether to move forward with DeSantis’ priorities, such as his plan to set minimum teacher salaries at $47,500 — an idea that would cost $603 million next year.
DeSantis Pitches Bonuses for Teachers and Principals Based on School Grades
Bonuses would be up to $7,500 for teachers and up to $10,000 for principals, drawing immediate criticism from the teachers union, which has long pushed for salary increases rather than bonuses.
DeSantis Snaps Over Questions About Connections to Indicted Ukrainian-American Businessmen
Pressure has grown over the past month for Gov. Ron DeSantis to answer questions about tensions in the state Republican Party and his ties to two Ukrainian-American businessmen indicted on federal campaign-finance charges.
DeSantis Criticizes Proposal to Raise Minimum Wage to $15, Saying It’ll Hurt Restaurant Owners
Florida For A Fair Wage is seeking voter support to increase the state’s minimum wage to $10 an hour on Sept. 30, 2021 and increase it by $1 each year until it hits $15 an hour on Sept. 30, 2026.
DeSantis Backs Letting College Athletes Cash In on Endorsements as Bills Are Filed to Scrap Prohibitions
Four bills have been filed for the 2020 session, two by Republicans and two by Democrats that seek to allow college athletes to be compensated through endorsement deals that use their names, images and likenesses.
DeSantis Says Soviet-Born Businessman Arrested on Campaign-Finance Charges Was “Just Like Any Other Donor”
DeSantis was among Florida Republican candidates who received contributions during the 2018 election cycle from Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were arrested on campaign-finance charges involving the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action.
Gov. DeSantis Appoints Prosecutor and Local Resident Andrea Totten Flagler County Judge
Gov. Ron DeSantis today appointed Andrea Totten, a 40-year-old Palm Coast resident and an assistant attorney general, Flagler County judge, filling a seat newly created by the Legislature to relieve the overburdened docket of County Judge Melissa Distler.
In a Blow to DeSantis, Special Master Recommends Reinstatement of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel
“Sheriff Israel and the BSO are not blameless for the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas,” the special master wrote, agreeing with a state commission “that mistakes were made and areas should be improved.”
State Economists Warn of Slowing Economy, as DeSantis Says State Is Prepared for Recession
DeSantis’ outlook was more restrained than that of White House officials, when they were asked about the national economy while making the rounds on Sunday morning news programs.
End-Running Federal Lawsuit, Gov. DeSantis Petitions Florida Supreme Court on Felon Voting Rights
A week after asking a federal judge to toss out a lawsuit on the issue, Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking guidance from the Florida Supreme Court about a controversial state law requiring people convicted of felonies to repay financial obligations before they can regain the right to vote.
Deriding Focus on Trump Rhetoric, DeSantis Blames Mass Shootings on ‘Recesses of the Internet’
Trump is facing accusations that his immigration rhetoric inspired a man who posted warnings online of a “Hispanic invasion” before killing 22 people at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart on Saturday.
Total Cost of Governor’s Israel Trip: Taxpayers, $131,000. Political Donors: $311,500
While in Jerusalem, members of the delegations stayed at David Citadel, a five-star luxury hotel selected by Enterprise Florida which cost $425 per night.
Costs Pile Up For Governor and Cabinet’s $400-a-Night Israel Junket, as Do Questions
When Florida Cabinet members jetted off to Israel in late May, some state employees who traveled at taxpayer expense stayed in a more than $400-a-night luxury hotel in Jerusalem, where a Cabinet meeting was held.
Citing Impact on Education Funding, DeSantis Kills ‘Addiction’ Warning on Lottery Tickets
Noting potential impacts to money for education, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a controversial bill that sought to require warnings about addiction and caution to play responsibly on the front of all lottery tickets.
Group Files Federal Suit Challenging Florida Restrictions on Felons’ Voting Rights Moments After DeSantis Signs New Law
A partisan firestorm erupted in the waning days of this year’s legislative session after Republicans tacked onto the elections package provisions aimed at implementing the voter-approved constitutional amendment that restores the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences.
Calling It ‘Fiscally Responsible,’ Governor Signs $91 Billion Budget, Vetoing Just $131 Million
Gov. DeSantis praised lawmakers for exceeding his request for spending on environmental projects and for a boost in per-student funding in public schools, though as FlaglerLive previously reported, that funding increase is not necessarily what it seems.
New Legislation Adds to Early-Voting
Fight on Florida’s College Campuses
A bill Gov. DeSantis is about to sign deals with a variety of elections issues, but a lawsuit is focused on a provision requiring early-voting sites to provide “nonpermitted parking,” which could exclude college campuses.
Denying Voting Rights to Felons Should Be Beneath Us
Who gets to vote should be driven by citizenship, the spirit of the United States Constitution and all America stands for, not by blowhardism and dirty tricks, argues Nancy Smith.
Florida TaxWatch Calls For Eliminating $133 million in Budget ‘Turkeys’; Flagler Is Spared
As of Wednesday afternoon, DeSantis had received 123 of the 174 bills approved by the Legislature during this year’s session. He’d signed 80 and vetoed two.
DeSantis Says ‘We Don’t Want’ Migrants Federal Government Plans to Send to Florida
U.S. Customs and Border Protection could start sending about 135 migrants awaiting asylum hearings twice a week to Palm Beach and Broward counties, to alleviate overcrowding in border facilities.
Siding With Environmentalists, DeSantis Vetoes Bill Prohibiting Bans on Plastic Straws
In his first veto, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday rejected a bill that would have blocked local governments from banning plastic straws.
DeSantis Will Sign Controversial Bill With Conditions on Felons’ Voting Rights
Earlier in the day, the League of Women Voters of Florida held a conference call with reporters urging DeSantis to veto the Amendment 4 implementation bill.
Lawmakers Approve Record $91.1 Billion Budget; 10 Big Issues from the 2019 Session
The budget includes high-profile spending issues such as $680 million for the Everglades and other water projects; a $242-per-student increase in school funding; and $50 million to maintain for at least another year the state’s embattled tourism-marketing agency Visit Florida.
Supreme Court Sides With DeSantis in Suspension of Okaloosa County School Superintendent
DeSantis stripped Jackson of her post less than a week after he was sworn into office, citing “scathing” grand-jury reports that alleged “dereliction of duty.”
Bill Allowing Cheaper Drug Imports From Canada Advancing Against Big Pharma Fit
Gov. DeSantis has championed the legislation as a way to curb prescription drug costs. But his effort continues to draw opposition from representatives of the pharmaceutical industry who say importing drugs could increase the amount of unsafe and counterfeit drugs.
Florida’s GOP Lawmakers Accelerate Plan To Use Far More Public Dollars for Private Schools
The House Education Committee on Thursday approved a bill (PCB EDC 19-01) that would create a new voucher program, known as the Family Empowerment Scholarship program, which would be open to many middle-class families.
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel Calls Suspension ‘a Political Power Play’ By DeSantis
In a court filing, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel’s lawyer argued the suspension “is an affront to the Florida Constitution and the fundamental right of voters to choose their elected officials.”
Back From “A Prison Known As the US House of Representatives”: DeSantis’s State of the State Address
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address, as prepared and provided to media, on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. The text does not reflect improvised asides and added personal stories.
DeSantis Blames Broward Sheriff For Murder of 22; Attorney Charges ‘Scandalously False Allegations’
A bill of particulars Suspended Sheriff Scott Israel’s case includes allegations related to the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and an attack at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
DeSantis Suspends Ex-Dr. Fruehan From Flagler Mosquito Board Over Felony Charges
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order suspending Florence Fruehan from the East Flagler Mosquito Control District board pending the resolution of two felony counts against him.
DeSantis Pushes Hard Line Against Sanctuary Cities, Calling For Collaboration With ICE
DeSantis is urging Florida sheriffs to participate in a federal immigration enforcement program in which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, deputizes local law officials.
Supreme Court Impanels Grand Jury to ‘Investigate Crime’ and ‘Return Indictments’ on School Safety
Chief Judge Jack Tuter, of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, will preside over the panel, which will meet for one year and will be comprised of jurors drawn from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, according to the order.
DeSantis Calls For Statewide Grand Jury Investigation of Local School Districts’ Safety
Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate whether school districts are complying with mandatory safety measures designed to protect students.
Governor Seeks More Generous Teacher Bonus Program, But Is Silent on Higher Salaries
DeSantis said the new program could provide bonuses of more than $9,000 to nearly 45,000 “highly effective” teachers, whose unions say higher salaries would be the best approach.
DeSantis Backs More Money for Armed Staffers in Schools, But Also More Flexibility in District Spending
DeSantis is proposing renewing nearly $100 million in school security funds but wants school districts to have more choice in how they spend the money.
DeSantis Pitches $91.3 Billion Budget, Including Education Increase of $224 Per Student
In what would be the largest budget in state history, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday released a proposed $91.3 billion spending plan that would increase school funding, pump money into water-quality projects and trim taxes.
DeSantis Calls for New Education Standards That Would Scrap Remains of Common Core
DeSantis’ announcement came five years after then-Gov. Rick Scott took aim at the Common Core standards, which were developed by officials in 48 states and have particularly drawn criticism from Republican voters.
DeSantis Would Eliminate Ban on Smoking Medical Pot, Supporting Senate Bill
But legislative leaders may not be keen on completely doing away with vertical integration, a move that could destabilize a growing and lucrative market in which one marijuana license recently sold for $63 million in cash.
DeSantis Rewards Friends With Appointments. Experience Must Wait.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s appointments are a pile of mismatches in critical state agencies so far, reflecting a normal if immoral right of passage in Tallahassee, writes Nancy Smith.
Secretary of State Ertel Resigns on Revelation of Picture in Blackface Mocking Victim of Hurricane Katrina
Mike Ertel was the elections supervisor in Seminole County for eight months when he wore the bigoted Halloween costume to a party in 2005.
With Carlos Muniz as 3rd Pick, DeSantis Touts ‘Newly Constituted’ Supreme Court
The appointment of Muniz, 49, solidifies a conservative majority on the court after years of justices regularly thwarting the Republican-led Legislature and the GOP governor.
Capping Weeks of Tension, DeSantis Scraps 46 Midnight Appointments by Rick Scott
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday rescinded 46 of the last-minute appointments former Gov. Rick Scott, now a member of the U.S. Senate, made in his final days in office.
DeSantis Poised To Liberalize State’s Approach to Medical Marijuana, Ending ‘Foot-Dragging’
DeSantis said his medical-marijuana announcement will deal not only with “the litigation” but also with “legislation that I think is needed to implement the people’s will.”
