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DeSantis heralds conservative accomplishments, lays out wish list amid 2026 race’s shadow

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used his next-to-last State of the State speech to laud conservative legislative wins in recent years, while also reiterating his wish list for the two-month session that includes placing limits on ballot initiatives and rescuing condominium residents from rising costs.

But the remarks by the Republican governor and the two legislative leaders also hinted at possible fault lines ahead, including how lawmakers will handle the state’s property insurance crisis and whether to undo much-heralded gun restrictions adopted in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting where 18 people were killed.

“Florida is the leader among the states because we lean into challenges, tackle the big issues, and deliver results for the people we serve,” DeSantis said during his roughly 30-minute speech, which also included a generous nod to first lady Casey DeSantis, who is considering her own bid for governor in 2026.

While not mentioning the only current 2026 candidate, GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, DeSantis did take time to slam lawmakers in Washington and encouraged them to take a page out of Florida’s book when it came to managing the nation’s debt. “Can the congressman in Washington, DC, please take a page out of Florida's fiscal playbook for a change?” DeSantis said.

The governor’s remarks alternated between revisiting his record in office, such as the policies responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, and urging the Legislature to move ahead with a potential overhaul of property taxes and elimination of the tax charged on business rent.

DeSantis’ speech came in a much different environment than a year ago, when he stepped away from the presidential campaign trail in Iowa to deliver a stay-the-course address that sought to highlight his record.

After losing the presidential race, DeSantis has a much different dynamic with a new set of legislative leaders who have recently asserted their independence. It took three special sessions for lawmakers and the governor to reach an accord on immigration policies that they passed last month.

In some instances, DeSantis called for action — such as easing the burden on condominium owners or lowering property taxes — without delving into detailed policy proposals. He told reporters afterward he is not wed to specific ideas but wants to “focus” on what can be done to “keep them in their condos.”

DeSantis also acknowledged that his push to overhaul property taxes — which will require a constitutional amendment — will likely not be finalized until the 2026 session ahead of that year’s election.

Some Republicans who have clashed with DeSantis in the past praised his remarks and said the speech represented an effort to bridge the gap.

“I think there have been words on the governor’s side, and from some of us, that is going to be difficult to take back, and we’ll see now with some of the more controversial issues whether the unity message sticks,” said state Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, a Miami Republican.

State House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) called the speech a “snooze fest.”

“Maybe he doesn’t have any new ideas,” Driskell said. “And I think maybe it’s also reflective of the tension between the governor’s office and the Legislature. Maybe he was being more careful about not getting ahead of his skis and putting out bold ideas with legislative leadership not willing to stand and support him.”

One clear contrast came over property insurance, an issue that has repeatedly topped polls as the most pressing issue in the state. During his own opening day remarks, House Speaker Daniel Perez, who said property insurance costs continue to be a top problem for Floridians, vowed to investigate reports that insurers may have siphoned off profits to affiliated companies by bringing insurance executives to testify to the House under oath — a practice that has been seldom used in recent years.

DeSantis, who contended that the insurance market has been stabilizing due to limits placed on lawsuits, told reporters he would not undo the changes passed in the last few years.

While campaigning for governor in 2018, DeSantis said he would not have approved the law passed after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. That measure included a “red flag” law that allows law-enforcement authorities to petition a judge to take away guns from someone who is deemed a potential threat. The law also raised the age limit to purchase a rifle from 18 to 21 years old. Nikolas Cruz was 18 years old when he bought that AR-15 style rifle he used in the attack.

In the past, Republican legislative leaders have been unwilling to revisit the law, noting it had strong support among the state’s sheriffs.

State Senate President Ben Albritton told reporters he was “working through that in my mind,” regarding lowering the age restriction, but he said the state’s current “red flag” law has been successfully used by law enforcement.

“If this is a tool, and I believe that is and we can stop the next Nikolas Cruz then I say we just hold tight and let the thing work,” Albritton said.