{"id":117775,"date":"2026-01-14T13:44:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T13:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/117775\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T13:44:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T13:44:06","slug":"desantis-touts-accomplishments-in-state-of-state-tallahassee-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/117775\/","title":{"rendered":"DeSantis Touts Accomplishments in State of State \u2013 Tallahassee Reports"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida <\/p>\n

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday used his final State of the State address to tout accomplishments over the past seven years but offered few details about priorities for the 2026 legislative session.<\/p>\n

DeSantis said he took office in 2019 with a \u201cbold agenda\u201d and that the state has delivered in areas such as cutting taxes, expanding school choice, increasing teacher pay, remaking the higher-education system and pouring money into Everglades restoration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe lead with clarity, conviction and courage,\u201d DeSantis told lawmakers who filled the House chamber on the first day of the 60-day legislative session.<\/p>\n

DeSantis touched on his priorities for the session, though he went into little detail and did not announce major new initiatives.<\/p>\n

As an example, DeSantis for months has called for putting a measure on the November ballot to slash property taxes. During his speech, DeSantis pointed to a need for lawmakers to approve a property-tax proposal that would go before voters but did not offer a detailed plan. Working out the details will be a key issue for lawmakers, and DeSantis has criticized House proposals.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should be able to own your home without paying perpetual rent to the government,\u201d DeSantis said in one of his familiar arguments about the need for cutting property taxes.<\/p>\n

The State of the State address, given in a House chamber jammed with lawmakers, family members, dignitaries and flowers, is the traditional start to the annual legislative session. First Lady Casey DeSantis watched Tuesday from the first row of the House gallery.<\/p>\n

But with DeSantis unable to run for re-election in November because of term limits, Tuesday\u2019s speech also marked something of an ending.<\/p>\n

While DeSantis touted his accomplishments in office and drew repeated applause from Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature, Democrats criticized him.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor eight years, he\u2019s been focused on culture wars, grabbing headlines and an ever-growing list of grievances meant to keep people distracted and angry, so that we won\u2019t notice that Florida is becoming too expensive for too many Floridians,\u201d House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said in a statement. \u201cThat\u2019s his legacy: Division, meanness and a growing affordability crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, described DeSantis\u2019 address as a \u201ccampaign stump speech\u201d and said he didn\u2019t address \u201cthe true issues that affect Floridians about affordability.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t really lay out anything for the Legislature that will help Floridians,\u201d Berman told reporters.<\/p>\n

Along with pushing for property-tax cuts, DeSantis has frequently called for lawmakers to place restrictions on artificial intelligence through what has been dubbed an AI \u201cBill of Rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeSantis said Tuesday state leaders have a responsibility to ensure the fast-growing technology is developed in ways that are \u201cmoral and ethical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can never relieve ourselves of our responsibilities to think for ourselves as Floridians, as Americans and, most importantly, as the human beings that are made in the image of God,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n

DeSantis appeared to endorse some other proposals filed by lawmakers, including a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, that has been dubbed the \u201crural renaissance\u201d bill. The Senate is slated Wednesday to take up the proposal (SB 250), which includes a series of efforts aimed at bolstering health care, education, transportation and economic development in rural areas.<\/p>\n

Senators passed the plan last year, but it fell apart in the House.<\/p>\n

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