Does Gov. DeSantis have anything left for Florida?

[Zorro]

Watching Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday deliver his State of the State address, I couldn’t help but wonder: What state is he living in?

DeSantis held up some of Florida’s biggest failures as accomplishments, from its politicization of public health to its incompetence in governing. It was a brazen display of revisionist history and self-congratulation. And it showed that with less than two years remaining before he’s termed out of office, DeSantis is pitifully out of touch with a diverse, evolving state whose people are struggling with kitchen-table concerns.

Take this line: “Florida is the leader among the states because we lean into challenges, tackle the big issues, and deliver results for the people.” What is he talking about? Floridians have begged lawmakers for years to address the skyrocketing property insurance costs. DeSantis and his fellow Republican lawmakers long blamed lawsuits against insurers for rising premiums. But last month, the Times/Herald revealed that a never-before-seen state report found that insurance companies claimed to lose millions while their affiliate companies made billions. The report was produced in March 2022, months before lawmakers met in emergency sessions to make it harder to sue insurance companies.

Or this line: “Limitations on government’s power are essential to preserve liberty.” This from a governor who has redefined executive authority in the worst possible way, from ousting elected officials he doesn’t like to presiding over a coup at the state’s honors college. Far from respecting limitations on power, DeSantis has moved methodically to expand government’s reach. During his tenure, the state has preempted local authorities, targeted college courses, dismantled diversity and inclusion programs and curtailed voting rights and open government. Government restraint is only a talking point in Tallahassee, not the state’s policy or practice, which is why Floridians have fewer liberties today.

I could go on, but the point is that DeSantis has a warped view of where his leadership has taken us, which doesn’t foster confidence in the future. To be fair, these annual State of the State addresses are freebies, which governors use to buff and shine their political legacies. But Tuesday’s address was more about things that don’t matter than things that do.

https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2025/03/05/does-gov-desantis-have-anything-left-florida-column/

[Biophilic]

1. He's just doing what republicans do, lying.

They make up whatever they think makes them look good. Reality isn't really important. They aren't there for the regular citizens.