Released by Governor Ron DeSantis’ Office …
OPENING
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the House and Senate, and fellow citizens: The Constitution requires me to “inform the legislature concerning the condition of the state” and “recommend measures in the public interest.”
It brings me great satisfaction to report on the promising prospects of our public affairs and to commend the members of the House and Senate for your efforts to make Florida successful.
• Florida’s unemployment rate is near a historic low
• We have a AAA credit rating
• Florida’s public university system is ranked #1 in the nation
• We are rated one of the top states in the nation for fiscal health
• Florida’s crime rate is at an almost 50 year low
• And we have no state income tax
It is said that the only things certain in life are death and taxes. I’d like to suggest we append an asterisk to that statement here in Florida; no, we can’t forestall Father Time, but we can say with certainty that we won’t have an income tax. Or a death tax.