Democratic leadership responds to DeSantis’ State of the State address, slams 2024 campaign
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senate and House Democratic Leaders Lauren Book, D-Davie, and Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa responded to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address on Tuesday during the beginning of session.
“The very essence of what has made our state great for decades is under continued threat due to an increasingly out-of-touch and extreme agenda championed by the Republican Party of Florida and a governor who is more preoccupied with running for president than solving problems in our state,” Book said.
Book said that the foundations of Florida are “shaking” due to costly living expenses, labor union suppression and the “erosion” of democracy and individual rights.
“Unjust abortion bans opposed by the vast majority of Floridians have stripped our residents of their right to privacy and healthcare,” she said. “Forcing dangerous pregnancy and birth or else, with threats to literally jail women and their doctors.”
DeSantis told CBS Evening News in September 2023 how the six week abortion ban he signed in Florida has “no criminal penalty” for women who illegally receive the procedure.
Driskell said she found it remarkable that DeSantis even had anything to say during his speech because he spent “most of year” focusing on his “own political ambitions” outside of the state.
“Our absentee governor, your governor, visited all 99 counties in Iowa while our property insurance rates, rent and cost of living skyrocketed,” she said.
Driskell mocked DeSantis for not “not doing well” in his presidential primary race when being questioned by reporters.
“The reason why is because, you listen to his policies, he doesn’t care about the people,” she said. “He is focused on his own ambitions and he stood up at the podium and there was a whole lot of hot air, there were a lot of facts missing.”
“The reality is is that he has abandoned our state when we have needed him most and if America does not want its future to become what has been, we need to make sure that he’s rejected in Iowa and every contest thereafter,” she added.
The Senate Minority Office issued a press release explaining how the governor is “leaving Floridians behind to fend for themselves” while he can be found on the campaign trail in Iowa, New Hampshire or on Fox News.
“The Florida Legislature must put partisanship aside to stand up to the absentee Governor and start putting Floridians first — focusing on policies that give individuals and families the opportunity to be economically strong, healthy, safe, and free,” the office said.
DeSantis celebrated much of the legislature’s work during previous sessions and committed to continuing the trajectory of the state during his address.
“My message is simple: Stay the course,” he said. “The state of our state is strong. Let’s keep doing what works. Let’s continue to make Florida the envy of the nation.”
