“I want to first thank Governor DeSantis for highlighting the permanent diaper tax break, legislation we fought hard to pass. While I wasn’t mentioned by name, it’s always great to see meaningful Democratic policies that cut costs for consumers being recognized.
That said, today we saw two very different speeches: one from the Speaker of the House and one from the Governor. The Speaker’s address was grounded in reality and collaboration, emphasizing the need to hold insurance companies accountable and rethink our taxation and spending priorities. The Governor’s speech, in contrast, defended the status quo, celebrated culture wars and abortion bans as achievements, repeated lies about the ballot initiative process, and sought to divide Floridians rather than unite us. He’s also pushing for the banning of fluoride and the elimination of property taxes without any thought to the funding of our public schools or public safety officials.
Overall, both speeches ignored the real struggles facing Florida families—from economic uncertainty driven by tariffs, to federal workers losing their jobs, to stagnant wages, corporate monopolies, lack of health care access, and the ongoing erosion of our democracy through misinformation.
As Democrats, we must stay focused and vigilant. We need to seize opportunities for common ground that genuinely benefit our constituents while standing firm in defense of our communities. It won’t be easy, but it has never been more necessary.”
##