Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), delivered Florida’s State of the State address Tuesday. He praised the Sunshine State for being an oasis of freedom and America’s liberty outpost in a nation of lockdown lovers who seek control through a “biomedical state that curtails liberty and ruins livelihoods and divides society.” He addressed a joint session in Tallahassee of the legislature and stressed the freedom Floridians have.

DeSantis stated, “Together, we have made Florida freest in these United States,” drawing a stark contrast between his state’s leaders and those who have “consigned people’s rights the graveyard” over two years. Florida has been “freedom’s vanguard” for many years, protecting individuals’ rights and businesses from unconstitutional mandates.

“Florida has been the escape hatch for those who are chafing from authoritarian, arbitrary, and seemingly never-ending mandates and restrictions,” DeSantis stated. He noted that rules and regulations that keep the country under a spell “grounded more in blind obedience to Faucian declarations that they are in constitutional traditions that are foundations of free nations.”

He said, “Florida’s a free country,” to applause. “We reject the biomedical state of security that restricts liberty, destroys livelihoods, and divides our society,” he said. He said that he would protect individuals’ rights to live free from restrictions and mandates.

Florida’s financial situation is good. His recommended budget of $99.7B has over $15 billion in reserve. DeSantis stated that this is the largest state surplus in history. DeSantis also pointed out that Florida’s revenue was over $500 million higher than the previous monthly estimate. This is despite the fact that there is no income tax and the lowest per-capita tax burden. He said that job creation is also higher than the national average, with the labor force growing six times faster. DeSantis stated that freedom works.

DeSantis also emphasized the importance of what the state had done for children during the epidemic. DeSantis stated that even though it wasn’t popular, his administration insisted that children must return to school-based learning. Despite opposition from politicians, unions, and the media, they continued to do so, with the blessing of millions of Florida families.

Florida was also declared a law and order state by the Republican governor — which is one reason why Americans are flocking to the Sunshine State.

“We stand by law enforcement officers. We have also enacted $1,000 bonuses to all EMTs, police, and fire officers in Florida. I am asking the Legislature for a re-up of these bonuses for another 12 months – they are due it,” he stated, assuring everyone in Florida that the “state is with you.”

He continued, “Law and Order also mean having a strong border,” and criticized the Biden administration’s inability to enforce the border. The Biden administration released “hundreds upon thousands” of illegal aliens to communities in the US, sent them to Florida at alarming speeds, including sending clandestine flights in the dark of the night.

We cannot as a state be involved in what amounts to a huge human smuggling operation being run by the federal government. Companies that facilitate the movement of illegal aliens southward to Florida must be held responsible, and the state should pay restitution for all the expenses they impose on our communities.

According to the governor, he requested funds so that Florida can redirect illegal aliens from Florida to states with sanctuary policies. He said, “Florida shouldn’t be made to shoulder the burden of our federal government’s lawless open borders policies,” to applause.

DeSantis also emphasized election integrity, emphasizing that Floridians should participate in elections that are “secure and transparent”, blasting ballot harvesting as well as attempts to change voter ID laws.

He said that “our constitutional rights have been under attack on a number f fronts and Florida has stood tall to defend the rights of its people” before blasting Big Tech for serving as a “defacto council of censors” and that Florida must continue to fight for protections for its citizens.

DeSantis stated, “I also recommend the Legislature strengthen Floridians’ Second Amendment rights protections-these important rights shouldn’t depend on the willful acts of politicians who reject the existence of those rights,” DeSantis added. He also stressed the importance of strengthening protections to the right of life. “Without which the other rights are little,” he said.

“Protecting life doesn’t end with the unborn. It must include continuing efforts to promote foster care and adoption so that every Floridian has a fair shot in life. Florida has 4000 more licensed caregivers in 2019 than it did in 2019. He said, to applause. “I am proposing additional funding for foster parents in the next year’s budget,” he added.

DeSantis ended his speech by mentioning the “catastrophic partial fall at Champlain Towers South condominium building” last June. He called the loss “devastating, incalculable” but cited Scripture: “The Lord’s close to the brokenhearted; and he saves those who are crushed.”

“We have 60 days to work together to build on our rock of liberty,” refers to the 60-day legislative session that began Tuesday. “Lost time will never be found again. Grab the opportunity. Be thankful God has allowed us to serve and live in America’s liberty post, Florida!