Ron DeSantis in State of Florida Archives
On Education:
Boost teacher's minimum salary to $47,500
I am recommending we take a bold step of setting a minimum salary for public school teachers at $47,500, bringing Florida from the bottom half of states to number 2 in the nation. This will make it easier to get talented college graduates
to enter the profession and will help us retain many of the good teachers we have now. My plan will lead to a substantial pay increase for over 100,000 current teachers throughout the state.
Source: 2020 Florida State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Education:
Parents should have public school choice
All Florida parents, regardless of income or zip code, should have the ability to choose the best school for their children. This isn't limited to scholarship programs but also includes public school choice.
When we increase educational choice and provide innovative learning opportunities, we can help students reach their full potential. Results matter and accountability is needed.
Source: 2020 Florida State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Jobs:
No depressed wages for Floridians due to cheap foreign labor
Lower-income workers also shouldn't have their wages depressed by cheap foreign labor. Assuring a legal workforce through E-verify will be good for the rule of law, protect taxpayers, and place an upward pressure on the wages of
Floridians who work in blue collar jobs. We are a state that has an economy, not the other way around. And we need to make sure that our Florida citizens from all walks of life come first.
Source: 2020 Florida State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Local Issues:
Occupational licensing too often hinders upward mobility
Florida's occupational licensing regime too often hinders upward mobility--often for lower income workers-- because so much of the regime is based not on the legitimate goal of protecting public health and safety but on keeping people out, creating a
guild that benefits insiders at the expense of those seeking to enter moderate income professions ranging from barbers to interior design. Our citizens shouldn't need a permission slip from the government in order to earn a living.
Source: 2020 Florida State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Backs bill impeding voting by ex-felons
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will sign a bill that would require ex-felons in the state, who were granted the right to vote in a referendum, to pay all financial obligations before they can head to the polls.
DeSantis said that the "idea that paying restitution to someone is equivalent to a tax is totally wrong. The only reason you're paying restitution is because you were convicted of a felony."
Source: CNN.com on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
May 8, 2019
On Abortion:
Reject loosening law on late term abortions
We also need to stand by students with special needs and their families. That means eliminating the waitlist of 1,900 students for Gardiner Scholarships. The Gardiner scholarship is our way of saying that everyone counts and that these
are lives worth living. And while we are at it, I wholeheartedly reject the callous disregard for human life displayed by the Governors of Virginia and New York. We won't allow that to happen in Florida.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Education:
Invest in higher ed; focus on job skills
I'm proud that Florida's university system is ranked #1 in the nation. Skills-based education offers a focused, and often more cost-effective means, by which students can acquire the tools to be successful. I have proposed a plan to take Florida
from middle of the pack to number 1 in workforce education by 2030. Our initiatives include grants to place students in apprenticeships, money to train teachers in computer science and funds for workforce programs within our state college system.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Education:
Prioritize attracting and retaining great teachers
We need to do more to recruit, retain and reward great teachers. To this end, I have proposed replacing Best and Brightest bonus program with a revised $423 million program that will reward more than 40,000 teachers with bonuses approaching $10k.
I'm also requesting $10 million for a tuition and loan forgiveness program for as many as 1,700 teachers who commit to teaching in Florida schools for 5 years. Attracting and keeping great teachers in our classrooms should be a high priority.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Education:
Expand Tax Credit Scholarships for school choice
Florida has expanded opportunity through the Tax Credit Scholarship program for students from low-income families. More than 100,000 students--nearly 70% of whom are African-American or Hispanic, with an average family income of roughly
$26,000 per year--are utilizing the scholarship. More low-income families would like the opportunity to obtain a scholarship for their kids. Let's stand with working moms and empower them to choose the best learning environment for their kids.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Environment:
Must be bold in tackling Florida's water problems
We are repositioning our water policy by: expediting key projects like the EAA reservoir and raising the Tamiami Trail; establishing a blue-green algae task force to develop policies to fight algae blooms, fight red tide and improve water quality; and
appointing a Chief Science Officer to better harness scientific data and research. I've requested $2.5 billion for water resources projects and Everglades restoration. Given the persistent water problems we have seen, now is the time to be bold.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Foreign Policy:
Oppose socialist president of Venezuela; support opposition
I had a meeting in the Oval Office about the situation in Venezuela. To the President's credit, he recognized Juan Guaido as the interim president and made clear that the dictator Nicol s Maduro has got to go. The tragedy in Venezuela is a result of a
failed socialist experiment--a system that is hostile to human liberty and contrary to human nature. The tyranny that has resulted is the natural outgrowth of trying to impose this failed ideology on the people of Venezuela.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Foreign Policy:
Pro-Israel; take action against boycott
I thank the Legislature for defending the US-Israel relationship by enacting anti-BDS legislation [the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement]. I reject attempts to target Israel for disfavored treatment and will enforce the anti-BDS
provisions vigorously. This whole enterprise of targeting Israel for economic harm is such a fraud and merely a cover for antisemitism. In Florida, rest assured that BDS is DOA. I look forward to furthering the relationship between Florida and Israel.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Health Care:
Against Medicare-for-all; keep private insurance
We need to enact policies to make health insurance, prescription drugs and medical care more affordable for Floridians. As you are aware, health care is being hotly debated at the national level, so let me say: Any proposal that seeks to
eliminate the private health insurance policies of millions of Floridians is unacceptable. Government has no right to take away the policies that Floridians earn through their jobs or purchase on the individual market.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Immigration:
No sanctuary cities in Florida
Florida will not be a sanctuary state - we won't allow someone here illegally to commit criminal misconduct and simply be returned to our communities.
And we won't tolerate sanctuary cities that actively frustrate law enforcement by shielding criminal aliens from accountability at the expense of public safety. Let's prohibit sanctuary cities in Florida.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Must remain a low-tax state with no income tax
It is often said that states serve as laboratories of democracies. The result has been a migration of wealth from states that tax heavily, spend profligately, and regulate excessively to states, like Florida, that tax lightly, spend conservatively,
and regulate reasonably. We won't repeat those mistakes in Florida. We will always remain a low-tax state. And we will never have an income tax! I have proposed more than $330 million in tax relief for Florida families, including a property tax cut.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Tax cuts help US companies compete with foreign businesses
Taxes: Support President Trump's tax cuts?DeSantis: Yes. "The reforms will better enable American companies to compete with foreign businesses & will help stem the tide of companies & jobs going overseas."
Gillum: No. Puts "billions of dollars in the coffers of our richest corporations, money that would otherwise protect Social Security & Medicare, & pay for roads & bridges."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
On Technology:
Net neutrality was an FEC massive power grab
Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?DeSantis: No. Obama-era FCC requirement for net neutrality
was a "massive power grab."
Gillum: Yes. FCC decision to dismantle was an attack on FL communities & residents.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
On Abortion:
Ban abortions after fetal heartbeat detected
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Ron DeSantis (R): Ban. Pledges to sign legislation banning abortions after fetal heartbeat detected (roughly 6 weeks) & to appoint constitutionalist justices to FL Supreme Court who will "protect & defend life."
Andrew Gillum (D): Legal. Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right and decision should be made by women & their doctors--not by politicians. Opposes making healthcare harder for women to access.
Q: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?
DeSantis: Yes. Employers should not be required to "pay for abortifacients in violation of their faith."
Gillum: No. Proposes a law to protect women's
access to no-cost contraceptive care under ObamaCare.
Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?
DeSantis: No. Voted for a bill to end funding.
Gillum: Yes. Challenged Rick Scott effort to defund Planned Parenthood.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Crime:
Don't restore voting rights to former felons
Q: Support Amendment #4--a Florida initiative to restore voting rights to 1.6 million former felons, excluding murderers & sex offenders?Ron DeSantis (R): No. Opposes amendment.
Andrew Gillum (D):
Yes. "Floridians who have paid their debts deserve a second chance & should have a voice in our state's future. Our current system is a relic of Jim Crow."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Drugs:
No recreational marijuana; let voters decide medical usage
Q: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?Ron DeSantis (R): No. Opposes recreational use. Will implement will of the voters on medical.
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. "Legalize it. Tax it. Use the revenues to fix Florida's public schools."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Expand both charters & vouchers
Q: Increase funding for K-12 education?Ron DeSantis (R): No statements found on funding, but prefers setting policy at local level.
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. Proposes a $1 billion "Fair Share" investment in public schools
covered by increasing state's corporate tax rate & legalizing & taxing marijuana.
Q: Education: Support the expansion of charter schools or help parents send their children to private schools with public money?
Ron DeSantis (R): Yes. Expand both charters & vouchers. Let federal dollars follow students to any schools their families choose.
Andrew Gillum (D): No. Against vouchers & "unaccountable, for-profit charter schools who use public dollars to enrich their executives."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Fund training for high schoolers who enter workforce
Q: Increase state funding for higher education?Ron DeSantis (R): No statements found on state funding, but more training support for students who enter workforce from high school.
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. Wants to make college debt-free for professions like nursing & teaching. Also higher pay for adjuncts.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
No carbon tax; no wind energy subsidy
Q: Consider climate change a serious threat?Ron DeSantis (R): Mixed. "I don't know if it's because of my activity, your activity, but.we've got to deal with it." Opposed resolution saying greenhouse gases contributed to climate change.
Andrew Gillum (D): Climate change is a real & urgent threat. Transition Florida to clean energy.
Q: Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases?
DeSantis: No.
Voted against any potential carbon tax as negatively impacting economy, voted against greenhouse gas emission standards, & to cut EPA funding.
Gillum: Yes. Sees Trump withdrawal from Paris Climate accord as "disturbingly reckless."
Q: Government
support for renewable energy?
DeSantis: No. Opposed continued wind energy subsidy, calling it "anti-competitive & economically harmful."
Gillum: Yes. "Transition Florida to clean energy as rapidly as possible."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Environment:
Deal with Red Tide: clean the water; build a reservoir
Q: How would you address Florida's red tide crisis, caused by nutrient-laden, polluted freshwater released from Lake Okeechobee & linked to Florida's sugar industry?
Ron DeSantis (R): Clean the water; build a reservoir to redirect the flow south; seek federal funding to help. Has also criticized the sugar industry and open to more regulation of development that affects runoff.
Andrew Gillum (D): Reverse Rick Scott environmental policies that eased pollution standards; redirect freshwater flow;
eliminate the political influence of the sugar industry; work with surrounding communities to deal with potential job loss.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Families & Children:
Protect faith-based noncooperation with gay marriage
Q: Support gay marriage?Ron DeSantis (R): No. Cosponsored bill to protect individuals for faith-based noncooperation with gay marriage.
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. While Tallahassee mayor invited same-sex couples to get married there when refused in other FL counties.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Free Trade:
Trump's tariffs will get concessions from China
Q: Support Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Ron DeSantis (R): Yes. Trump is a master negotiator trying to get concessions.
Andrew Gillum (D): No. "He's threatening Florida's workers, farmers, & companies."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Gun Control:
Concealed carry statewide; open-carry on campuses
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Ron DeSantis (R): No. Solution to gun violence is "'identifying the problem people' rather than enforcing `blanket bans on the rights of law-abiding citizens.'"
Supports allowing Floridians with conceal carry permits to carry openly on campuses.
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. Called for additional restrictions after Parkland. Sued by NRA over prohibiting firing weapons in public parks.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Health Care:
Repeal ObamaCare; health care isn't a right
Q: Support or Repeal ACA, aka ObamaCare? Accept ACA's Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?Ron DeSantis (R): Voted to repeal ACA. No FL Medicaid expansion. Says health care isn't a right. The right is to pursue the
type of healthcare you want. ObamaCare infringes on that.
Andrew Gillum (D): Support & strengthen ACA, guarantee care for pre-existing conditions, expand Medicaid in Florida. Work toward "Medicare for all."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Immigration:
DACA is unconstitutional; opposes any path to citizenship
Q: Support path to citizenship for America's 11 million illegal immigrants, including "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," who grew up in the US after being brought here as children?Ron DeSantis (R): No. Considers DACA unconstitutional. Opposes any path
to citizenship. DACA "amnesty" would further incentivize illegal immigration & chain migration. Fire officials who abet sanctuary cities.
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. Can protect national security "without criminalizing" undocumented people.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Keep Florida a low-tax state; super-majority to raise taxes
Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts?Ron DeSantis (R): Yes. "The reforms will better enable American companies to compete with foreign businesses & will help stem the tide of companies & jobs going overseas."
Andrew Gillum (D):
No. Puts "billions of dollars in the coffers of our richest corporations, money that would otherwise protect Social Security & Medicare, & pay for roads & bridges."
Q: Increase taxes on corporations and/or high-income individuals to pay for public services?
Ron DeSantis (R): No. Keep Florida a low-tax state "by opposing tax increases
& requiring a supermajority vote in the Legislature to raise taxes."
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. Increase Florida's corporate tax rate by 2% to generate $1 billion for education funding.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Technology:
FCC requirement for net neutrality was a massive power grab
Q: Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?Ron DeSantis (R): No. Obama-era FCC requirement for net neutrality was a "massive power grab."
Andrew Gillum (D):
Yes. FCC decision to dismantle was an attack on FL communities & residents.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Expand voucher and charters; stop Common Core
DeSantis supports the school-choice policies Florida Republicans have passed in their 20 years in power, specifically, expanding charter-school and voucher programs. He's also praised [Republican primary opponent Adam] Putnam's platform of encouraging
more vocational education and training.DeSantis also wants to "stop Common Core"-- the standards adopted by 45 out of 50 states as a way to improve education--but the steps he'd take to unwind them is unclear. The standards were criticized by
conservatives as a top-down approach to education, and lawmakers responded by tweaking and renaming them "Florida standards" in 2014.
[Democratic gubernatorial opponent Andrew]
Gillum wants to spend an additional $1 billion on education, part of which would go toward increasing the minimum salary for teachers to $50,000 per year, and for early-education and vocational programs.
Source: Orlando Sentinel on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2018
On Environment:
Stop Lake Okeechobee discharges that caused algae crisis
DeSantis severely criticized [Republican opponent Adam] Putnam on environmental issues during the primary, branding him an "errand boy" for the sugar industry, which is seen by environmentalists as one of the main polluters contributing to the green
algae spoiling South Florida waterways.DeSantis has shown concern about the algae crisis, which has blighted waterways on the Treasure Coast and southwest Florida, damaging marine life and tourism.
He's met with officials and pledged to stop the discharges of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee that led to the crisis. But the water releases are done by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, a federal department, to prevent the Herbert Hoover Dike from being overwhelmed. Other planks of his platform include beefing up beach restoration and restoring the Everglades.
Source: Orlando Sentinel on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2018
On Gun Control:
Allow carrying guns openly and on college campuses
DeSantis supports legislation to allow Floridians with concealed weapons permits to carry guns openly and on college campuses. Bills to allow both have failed in the GOP-controlled Legislature in the last three years.He has also criticized the gun
control measures in the bill passed by lawmakers in response to the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The legislation banned rifle sales to those under 21, prohibited bump stocks and placed a three-day waiting
period on all gun sales.
[Democratic gubernatorial opponent Andrew] Gillum called for a series of gun-control measures after the Parkland massacre, including a ban on assault weapons, limiting the size of magazines, banning armor-piercing bullets
and prohibiting guns to those with domestic violence felonies or misdemeanors. The National Rifle Association has given DeSantis an A- grade and Gillum an F.
Source: Orlando Sentinel on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2018
On Health Care:
No right to health care; that's just a bureaucratic right
[Democratic gubernatorial opponent Andrew] Gillum has campaigned on a platform of "Medicare for all" that a key supporter, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, has pushed at the federal level. He also says universal health care is a right. Much of that platform
will be difficult to achieve with a Republican-controlled Legislature, where leaders in the House have rejected Medicaid expansion after protracted battles.DeSantis hasn't laid out a specific platform on health care and has said little about
health care policy. His issues page on his website, which was published a week before the primary, doesn't include the subject. In a debate with GOP primary opponent Adam Putnam, he indicated health care wasn't a right.
"What I think you have a right
to do is pursue the type of health care you want. ObamaCare infringes on your freedom to be able to do that," DeSantis said. "Democrats are saying that there's a bureaucratic right where you create bureaucracies."
Source: Orlando Sentinel on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2018
On Immigration:
Supports E-Verify; opposes sanctuary cities
DeSantis fully backs President Donald Trump's moves to enforce border security and deport illegal immigrants. As governor, DeSantis has promised to ban "sanctuary cities" even though virtually no city in Florida has such policies. West Palm Beach was on
a list of cities identified by the Trump administration as possibly having policies of non-cooperation with federal immigration officials, but elected officials there dispute that, saying they cooperate with federal authorities when asked.
Alachua and Clay counties have been accused of being sanctuary areas for not complying with detention requests in some instances, but those claims are disputed as well.
DeSantis also wants to enact an E-Verify law requiring employers to check the
immigration status of their workers. It's an idea Gov. Rick Scott pushed in his first year in office but quickly dropped when it failed to get through the Legislature.
Source: Orlando Sentinel on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2018
On Free Trade:
No to Ex-im bank; Yes to fast-track
Ballotpedia.org analysis of Congressional voting record on trade issues:- Voted NAY on Trade adjustment assistance (TAA): On 6/12/15, the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 126 to 302. TAA is a federal program providing
American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services.
- Voted YEA on Trade promotion authority (TPA): On 6/12/15, the House narrowly passed the TPA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 219 to 211.
TPA would give the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster.
- Voted NAY on Export-Import Bank: On 10/27/15, the House passed HR 597, the Export-Import Bank
Reform and Reauthorization Act, by a vote of 313-118. The bill allows the Export-Import Bank to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that want to buy U.S. goods.
Source: Ballotpedia.org coverage of 2016 Florida Senate race
Oct 27, 2015
On Energy & Oil:
No delay on Keystone pipeline for security & safety study
Ballotpedia.org analysis of Congressional voting record on energy issues: Keystone Pipeline Amendment: DeSantis voted NAY on House Amendment 69, which would have amended
HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of
Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place."
The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.
Source: Ballotpedia.org coverage of 2016 Florida Senate race
May 22, 2013
Page last updated: Jan 28, 2021