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Gov. Ron DeSantis touts fiscal gains, education progress and urges lawmakers to "get the bills to my desk"
Summary
In a joint session address, Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted what he called seven years of fiscal restraint, education reform and public‑safety measures, cited specific budget and graduation figures, and urged the Legislature to send him proposed bills for his signature.
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a statewide address to a joint session of the Florida Legislature, calling attention to what he described as seven years of accomplishments on budgets, education and public safety and urging lawmakers to forward their proposals for his signature.
DeSantis opened by framing his agenda in terms of the founding generation’s responsibility to preserve liberty, then moved to concrete claims about state finances and policy. He said Florida has "more than tripled our rainy day fund and more than doubled our budget reserves" and said the state saved "more than $1 billion" by accelerating debt repayment. "We have been faithful to that vision," he said, framing fiscal restraint as central to the state's success.
On education, DeSantis credited expanded school‑choice options and changes to testing and teacher compensation. He announced that the high‑school graduation rate for the 2024‑25 school year was 92.2 percent, which he said was the highest in state history. He also touted programs he described as strengthening civics education and speech and debate opportunities in Florida schools.
DeSantis highlighted environmental initiatives, saying the state had substantially increased funding for Everglades restoration, advanced completion of the EAA Reservoir and expanded water storage capacity. "Together, we have more than quadrupled the funding for Everglades restoration and water quality," he said.
On public safety and enforcement, DeSantis reiterated support for law enforcement, tougher penalties on certain crimes and policies aimed at curbing illegal immigration. He said recent state actions had resulted in the apprehension and transfer of "nearly 20,000" individuals to federal authorities in the last nine months.
Addressing technology, DeSantis warned about risks from artificial intelligence and called for moral and ethical guardrails. He concluded with an appeal to the Legislature: "Get the bills to my desk," signaling support for rapid consideration and his willingness to sign legislation he has supported.
Procedural notes from the joint session: earlier in the convening a committee was appointed to notify the governor that the joint session was assembled; that motion was approved by voice vote. After the governor’s remarks, Senator Pasadomo moved to dissolve the joint session; the motion passed by voice vote and the session was dissolved.
The address was delivered before members of both chambers and guests in the gallery. No formal roll‑call votes on legislation were recorded during this joint session; motions recorded were procedural and were approved by voice vote.
