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March 8, 2019On Tuesday morning, March 5, Florida Senate President Bill Galvano and Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva called their respective chambers to order for the 2019 Florida Legislative Session. At the invitation of the Senate president, Father John Cayer of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee offered the prayer to open the Senate session.
To a joint session of the House and Senate, Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his first State of the State Address. In his speech, the governor touted his administration's accomplishments since taking office and expressed optimism that the Legislature would advance reforms in a variety of areas. DeSantis outlined his vision on several issues including environment, economy/jobs, education, health care, and foreign affairs.
On the environment, the governor issued a call to act now to preserve our state's natural resources for generations to come. Among other recent actions taken, the governor has proposed $2.5 billion over the next four years for water resources projects and Everglades restoration.
During his remarks on education, the governor introduced two families seated in the gallery whose participation in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship for low-income families and the Gardiner Scholarship for students with disabilities are in jeopardy due to waiting lists. The governor proposed eliminating the waitlists for both programs.
DeSantis also addressed recent legislative efforts in other states to legalize abortion through all nine months of pregnancy and remove protections for children born alive after failed abortions. "I wholeheartedly reject the callous disregard for human life displayed by the Governors of Virginia and New York," stated the governor. "We won't allow that to happen in Florida."
