DeSantis: Freedom Is Good, COVID Mandates, Lockdowns Are Bad

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Democratic members remain sitting as Republicans stand and applaud while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a joint session of a legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made it clear in his State of the State speech Tuesday that he likes teachers, first responders and freedom and he doesn’t like Dr. Anthony Fauci, critical race theory, abortion, illegal immigration and Burmese pythons.

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DeSantis opened his major address with a subject he has hammered over and over again during the coronavirus pandemic: Florida won’t be a lockdown state and mandates that other states imposed to fight COVID-19 don’t work.

“Florida has become the escape hatch for those chafing under authoritarian, arbitrary and seemingly never-ending mandates and restrictions,” DeSantis said. “These unprecedented policies have been as ineffective as they have been destructive. They are grounded more in blind adherence to Faucian declarations than they are in the constitutional traditions.”


DeSantis, who is up for reelection in November and is eyeing a possible 2024 presidential run, laid out a conservative agenda for 2022. He said that would include keeping undocumented immigrants out of Florida, creating a law enforcement office solely dedicated to fighting election fraud, stopping schools from teaching critical race theory and protecting the unborn.

DeSantis referred to Florida being a free state 10 times during the 33-minute speech, often interrupted by applause from Republican lawmakers as the Legislature opened its annual 60-day session.

The governor said his policies have made Florida a leader in job growth and that rising state revenue puts the state in a good position for drafting its next budget.

“Freedom works,” DeSantis said. “Our economy is the envy of the nation. And our state is well-prepared to guard against future economic turmoil.”

Meanwhile, he said he will ask the Legislature for money to send undocumented immigrants to other states.

“We cannot be a party to what is effectively a massive human smuggling operation run by the federal government. Companies who are facilitating the movement of illegal aliens from the southern border to Florida should be held accountable,” DeSantis said.

“When the feds dump people here in Florida illegally, the state can re-route them to states that have sanctuary policies,” he also said.

DeSantis also said he wants $1,000 bonuses for teachers and first responders and to save drivers $1 billion with a gas tax holiday.

As DeSantis made his way across the House floor to deliver the speech, he shook the hands of Florida’s two independently elected Republican Cabinet members, but snubbed Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

“As he walked in, there was no decorum in the recognition,” said Fried, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge DeSantis.

She also said DeSantis’ speech was more of an appeal to a national audience than it was an outline of goals for the state.

“Half of his speech was talking about immigration, talking about what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and there was less focus on the concerns and the issues that are happening every single day in (Florida) families,” she said.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination for governor are state Sen. Annette Taddeo and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist. But DeSantis has paid little attention to them.

During his speech, DeSantis took time to recognize a man he called the python king, Charlie Dachton, who caught 41 pythons in the Everglades as part of the state’s annual roundup of the invasive reptile.

“We resolved to leave our unique natural inheritance to God better than we found it, and we are fulfilling that pledge,” DeSantis said.


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triumphinwhitehouse
triumphinwhitehouse
2 years ago

like him but concerned with his friendship with chaskel bennett

Educated Archy
Educated Archy
2 years ago

DeSantis also said he wants $1,000 bonuses for teachers and first responders and to save drivers $1 billion with a gas tax holiday.

A man of the people. This is Trump plus. Good ideals with no nonsense yet proper manners, no scandals, and not insulting.

Been here and there
Been here and there
2 years ago

All who oppose Gov. DeSantis and his ideals, words, policies, and goals for the people of his State of Florida deserve a ‘misa m’shinah, including the fool, Fried. Educated Archy is right. Problem though is, what will happen to this wonderful and blessed State if and when Gov. DeSantis runs for/wins Presidency of the U.S. and Florida continues to be over-run with liberal, Democratic fools, (and unfortunately many of them Jews, who are escapiing the Northeastern ‘blue’ states and taking their insane and destructive politics with them – to ruin what Gov. DeSantis has achieved and worked hard for in Florida.) They should stay in N.Y. and N.J. and choke on what they voted for, and leave the State and people of Florida in peace ! No one needs this liberal immoral trash there including the Jewish ones!

Conservative Carl
Conservative Carl
2 years ago

I’m no politician. I’m just a fella. I think beer should be cold and boots should be dusty. I think 9/11 was bad. And freedom, well, I think that’s just a little bit better.

Stevenn
Stevenn
2 years ago

And freedom of choice is only for the living. Just saying..

PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
2 years ago

The Governor is for teachers? He is the guy who cuts funding for districts he does not like.

Go figure
Go figure
2 years ago

Freedom is good, except when a someone tries to teach about critical race theory (whatever that is). Maybe tomorrow he decides freedom is good but religion is not.