Gov. Ron DeSantis urges Florida Legislature to 'get the bills to my desk' after outlining seven years of achievements

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a joint-session address to the Florida Legislature, reviewing what he described as seven years of accomplishments and pressing lawmakers to advance his priorities this session. He cited fiscal metrics, education reforms, environmental investments and law‑and‑order initiatives as evidence of the state's progress and closed with a direct appeal: "Get the bills to my desk."

The governor framed the speech around economic strength and fiscal restraint, saying Florida's economy grew from about $1 trillion to roughly $1.8 trillion and that the state has "more than tripled our rainy day fund and more than doubled our budget reserves." He also said the state had "saved more than $1,000,000,000 on principal and interest" through accelerated debt repayment. On education, DeSantis cited a reported 92.2 percent high‑school graduation rate for the 2024‑25 school year and said Florida has expanded school choice and instituted pay increases for teachers. On environmental issues he said the state quadrupled funding for Everglades restoration and advanced completion of the EAA Reservoir by five years.

DeSantis emphasized public safety and immigration enforcement, asserting that sanctuary cities are banned in Florida and that, in the prior nine months, the state was "responsible for the apprehension of nearly 20,000" people turned over to the Department of Homeland Security. He positioned his administration's COVID‑era policies as protecting personal medical choice and stated a goal of codifying those principles into law. On technology, he called for ethical development of artificial intelligence to protect consumers and workers.

Throughout the address DeSantis mixed policy claims and campaign‑style rhetoric, urging teamwork with the Legislature to place tax relief measures before voters via the constitutional amendment process and to advance bills expanding school choice and public‑safety measures. He said, "We welcome technologies that enhance the human experience, but not those purporting to supplant it," and closed the speech with an explicit procedural request: "Get the bills to my desk."

Votes at a glance: A procedural motion to appoint a committee to notify the governor that the joint session was assembled was adopted by voice vote; the presiding officer announced senators Hooper, Russon, Wright and Boyd and representatives Baker, Dunkley, Kendall, Weinberger and Porras as the committee. Later in the session Senator Pasadomo moved to dissolve the joint session; the motion passed by voice vote and the joint session was dissolved.

The address did not include introductions of specific statutory amendments or bill numbers for the measures the governor urged. The session recessed briefly for arrival and reception of the governor and guests before the address. The joint session was dissolved following the speech.