“You ain’t seen nothing yet”: DeSantis and Democrats lay out contrasting visions for Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis laid out his vision for the 2023 legislative session Tuesday, delivering his state of the state address to Florida lawmakers.

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The Governor is expected to get just about everything he wants this session, but Democratic lawmakers see DeSantis’ agenda as one that ignores pocketbook issues facing Florida residents.

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Governor DeSantis opened his speech with a bold claim.

“Florida is number one and working together we will ensure that Florida remains the number one state in these United States,” DeSantis said.

It’s a claim he said is supported by the mass in-migration to Florida from other states throughout the country.

From LGBTQ and diversity issues, loosening guns laws, policies cracking down on illegal immigration and other topics considered ‘culture war’ issues by Democratic lawmakers, Florida Republicans are poised to push the envelope on a wide array of fronts in the 2023 legislative session.

“We will stand strong, we will hold the line, we won’t back down and I can promise you this, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” DeSantis said.

But Democrats, in their rebuttal to the Governor’s address, argued Republicans are ignoring what they see as the real issues facing Floridians.

“The people who pay the cost and the brunt of all of this are everyday Floridians. Every one of the Governor’s culture wars has an economic cost built into it,” House Minority Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) said.

Senate Minority Lead Lauren Book (D-Plantation) argued with the Governor likely eying the White House, he’s looking to bolster his conservative track record at the expense of marginalized groups.

“We are only as free as those most trapped among us,” Book said.

Facing Republican supermajorities in both chambers Democrats have little to no ability to slow the approaching tidal wave of conservative policies.

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Democratic leadership called on the public to oppose bills targeting the LGBTQ community, abortions rights and diversity initiatives.