DeSantis’ state of state speech mirrors many of the themes of other GOP governors

In tone and substance, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ state of the state speech on Tuesday was very much like the other 19 Republican governors who have already delivered the 2023 assessment of their state’s status and their legislative plans to move forward.

He talked about expanding vouchers for parents to send children to private schools, expanding tax breaks to “reduce the pain of inflation.” He touted his push “to join 25 other states” and allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit, and he vowed to make permanent the state ban on coronavirus vaccine mandates and masks.

But in many ways his 30-minute address focused more on looking back at his first four years in office than looking ahead at what should come next. And he stopped short of focusing on many bread and butter issues embraced by Republican governors in other states, according to an analysis of their speeches by the Miami Herald, from the list of state of the state speeches compiled by the National Association of State Budget Officers.

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DeSantis touted Florida as having “the lowest per capita state tax” and lowest state debt burdens among all large states, then pointed to what the state has already done.

“We’ve worked together to reduce the pain of inflation by enacting over $1 billion in tax relief in this current year’s budget and by slashing tolls by 50% for Florida commuters for this calendar year,’’ he said.

Florida’s governor made no mention of the rising costs of living in Florida, such as housing, property insurance and utility rates, while several GOP governors talked about using the levers of state government to lower the cost of living.

For example, Idaho Gov. Brad Little called for $120 million in tax cuts to help defray local property taxes. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for $15 billion in property tax cuts. And Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he wants a three-month pause in sales taxes on groceries and additional tax relief for small businesses.

Governors in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina each spoke of using state dollars to expand or create new education scholarships. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen proposed $50 million in “opportunity scholarship tax credits” for “kids who live in poverty, foster care systems, and those with special needs.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed a plan that most closely mirror’s Florida’s broad school voucher expansion. She called for creating education savings accounts of up to $7,598 per student for families who want to move their children from public to private school.

“For students currently attending a private school, the plan will be phased in, focusing first on the families with the lowest income levels,’’ she said in her Jan. 10 speech. “And in three years, every family will have a choice in education. And no child will be limited by income or ZIP code.”

In Texas, Abbott proposed “Education Savings Accounts ... to provide every parent with the ability to choose the best education option for their child.” But, he added, “under this school choice program, all public schools will be fully funded for every student.”

DeSantis focused on what’s already happened: “We have enacted record increases in teacher salaries. We’ve expanded school choice and we have protected the rights of parents,’’ he said.

With Republican-controlled states tightening abortion restrictions, several Republican governors also called for increased investment in state programs aimed at helping young parents.

For example, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox proposed the creation of a new tax credit for all children, and expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte called for a $1,200 child tax credit for children under 6, additional investments in childcare, and an increase in his state’s adoption tax credit.

DeSantis made no reference to abortion in his speech or the impact it has on young families but he said his $2 billion tax-cut package “will help many who need relief from inflation, especially our Florida families.” The measure eliminates the state sales tax on all baby supplies, diapers, wipes, closed cribs and strollers.

“We will be able to say that in Florida, having a child will be tax free,’’ he concluded.

Expanding affordable housing was an issue raised by many governors. Mike DeWine, Ohio’s governor, called for creating tax credits for low-income and single-family housing as well as an Ohio Home Ownership Savings Account, and Cox spoke about the need in Utah to increase the supply of affordable housing and reduce the cost of all housing.

DeSantis commended Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, for taking the lead with a sweeping affordable housing initiative for Florida, a measure expected to pass the Senate this week.

“We also need to ensure that our supply of housing is adequate to meet the needs of those in our workforce. Workers who make our economy tick should be able to find a place to live that’s affordable in their general area of their jobs,’’ DeSantis said.

But perhaps the most common concern among governors from both parties was the issue of workforce development, as businesses and governments across the country face labor shortages and a need for skilled labor.

Governors in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming each proposed initiatives aimed at expanding workforce development, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers summary.

DeSantis did not mention any new initiatives but touted the fact that his administration believes in workforce education and touted a program that trains 3,500 truck drivers each year.

“We’ve expanded opportunities for Floridians to obtain certifications and credentials,’’ DeSantis said. “A four-year degree from a traditional brick and ivy university is one way you can be successful. It is not the only way.”

Florida’s governor also did not mention Florida’s teacher shortage, estimated at more than 5,300. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said his state wants to tackle its shortage by creating an Education Stabilization Account to provide scholarships to high school students interested in becoming teachers.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas