The impeachment trial of president trump, light on tilt or custom coverage on cspan2. Or on theonline cspan radio app. Desantisa governor ron delivered his state of the state address in tallahassee. This is just over 30 minutes. [applause] mr. President , mr. Speaker, members of the senate. The constitution requires me to inform the legislature concerning the condition of the state and to recommend measures in the public interest. It brings me great satisfaction to support report and to commend bert commend the members of the house and senate for your efforts to make for successful. [laughter] [applause] floridastis Unemployment Rate is near a historic low. We have a triplea credit rating. Florence Public University system is ranked number one in the nation. We are ranked one of the top states in the nation for physical health, physical health. And wes a 50 year low have no state income tax. [applause] gov. Desantis it is said that the only thing certain in life are death and taxes but as one to suggest we should add an asterisk to that here in florida. We can say with certainty that we will not have an income tax here in the state of florida. [applause] gov. Desantis or a death tax, for that matter. [applause] gov. Desantis last session was productive on a number of fronts. I want to thank the speaker and president for their strong and dedicated leadership. [applause] i would also like to recognize our lieutenant keyrnor who has led on issues ranging from health care to aerospace. Thank you for your leadership. [applause] gov. Desantis as the president has already indicated, we are joined here today by a great first lady for the state of florida and my wife, casey. [applause] gov. Desantis she has spearheaded her hopes for Healing Initiative to tackle problems facing for indians in the areas of Mental Health at the abuse. She is making a difference and that she is only just getting started. Were both looking forward to big things in 2020 including a new baby daughter arriving a couple of weeks after the session ends. That will make three kids ages three years or under running around the governors mansion. Chaos will reign supreme in our household. Sure howtell you for the past might affect any vetoes i might issue. Stay tuned. [laughter] 2019, which is bold steps to ensure education opportunity, can protect our environment, Reform Health care, invest in infrastructure. Andwhile reducing taxes maintaining healthy budget reserves. Favorwe should look with on these bold beginnings, we have much more to do. At the start of this new decade, this is floridas season of opportunity. We have the chance to build on a strong foundation, a chance to face the challenges before us, and a chance to leave the legacy of success. Together during our season of opportunity, we cant ensure that florida works for our fellow citizens. This will require a lot of soil and sweat. Not just words but deeds. You cant rest on past accomplishments, our only easy day was yesterday. Florida must remain steadfast in its commitment to low taxes and fiscal responsibility. We will live we live in an increasingly mobile and interconnected time. Cannot regulate and spend without impunity. Taxpayers flee, businesses relocate, the economic race narrows and the state hemorrhages money. According to irs figures, florida has led the nation for in thesecutive years amount of income being brought to our state due to internal migration. [applause] people voting with their feet and they are leaving states with bad economic climates to the greener economic pastors of the sunshine state. We have the good fortune to track investment and Business Activity and a potential for further growth in areas such as aerospace, financial services, health care and manufacturing. To realize this potential, florida needs to tax lightly, spend wisely, and regulate reasonably. Maintaining Fiscal Health will provide the type of Durable Foundation required for the expansion of our economic base which means more opportunities for the citizens of florida. [applause] when i took office last year, i issued a sweeping executive order outlining a bold approach to protecting our National Resources, improving Water Quality and restoring the everglades. I did so in part because i believe stewardship of our National Resources is key to our economic wellbeing. Water is the foundation of our tourism industry, it makes florida the top fishing and boating destination in the world and it enhances our property values. This vision required a commitment from the legislature and i want to say you delivered to the tune of more than 625 million to support Water Resources and everglades restoration projects. [applause] because florida showed that it had skin and again, we were able to get support from the Trump Administration for another 200 million for everglades restoration. [applause] ditto getting federal support for the trail. Key projects are proceeding apace including the reservoir which many of you worked on which will be able qom relief to so many floridians who have been negatively impacted by things like toxic bluegreen algae. We are on offense against the epidemic of nonnative burmese pythons that have ravaged the wildlife in the everglades. We have two people here in southwest florida. They are successful bankers but they double as python hunters. Taken out. A bow. 500 people are registered now for our ongoing python bowl are helping to protect native wildlife on removing these mauritius predators from the everglades. Florida is in the process of realizing a vision with respect to our environment and National Resources that has been widely desired stubbornly elusive. We have strong momentum and we want to keep it going. We can do that by addressing three major areas. First, we should fund water resource projects at the 620 million level on a recurring basis for the next three years. This will require provide certainty and provide more federal support. Second, the legislature should pass a comprehensive Water Quality legislation that ive propose. The bill represents the initial recommendations of our bluegreen Algae Task Force that i launched upon taking office. Ited on sound science, provides a roadmap to producing nutrients in our water. Those that spew untreated wastewater into floridas water bodies need to be deterred from doing so by appropriate penalties. Too many municipalities have failed to provide upgrades to their Water Infrastructure because it is cheaper to violate the law and pay a nominal fine. This is unacceptable and it needs to change. We at the state level will also do our part to fortify the infrastructure in our areas most vulnerable to flooding. Over the coming months, our division of inert Emergency Management will be distributing more than 1 billion in mitigation funds to areas impacted by the hurricanes over the last several years. The bottom line is, we have a chance to take bold action to make a lasting positive impact upon floridas environment. Lets seize this opportunity. [applause] through our colleges and universities, through workforce education opportunity and through a strong k12 schools. Florida has the topranked Public University system in the nation and we have three universities now in the top 50. University of florida is in the top 10 heading for the top five. Florida state is in the top 20. [applause] Florida State is in the top 20 heading for the top 15. [applause] app immersive South University of south florida is on the list as well. To hostflorida is going next Years National championship, i hope maybe we will have a florida team playing in the National Championship again [applause]. [applause] there is no question that florida is cultivating the talent needed to power our economy to new horizons. Lets keep it going and lets do even better. Traditional fouryear universities are not the only way to acquire knowledge or skills. For many, its not even the best way thanks to the leadership of our commissioner of education, we have launched an initiative to make florida the nations leader in workforce education of the year 2030. Thanks to your support, we are off to a good start. State,look around the Vocational Education is making a comeback in our high schools. Miamidade, such as students can graduate with certifications in fields like electrical and hvac. Apprentice programs create a that way to obtain skills merit gainful employment. Someone once said i was not able tell me and i forget, teach me and i remember, involve me and i learn. Once floridians acquire skills, it is important they be able to learn use those skills without unnecessary barriers placed by government. It floridas occupational licensing regime too often hinders upward mobility oftentimes for low income workers because so much of the regime is based not on the legitimate goal of protecting Public Health and safety but on keeping people out. Creating a skill that benefits in her insiders at the expense of those waiting to enter. Ranging from hairdressing to interior design. Our citizens should not get a permission slip from the government in order to earn a living. [applause] gov. Desantis we have a good reform bill pending before the legislature and made it to the oneyard line last year. Lets punch it in the end zone and 2020. [applause] our low income workers also should not have their wages depressed by cheap foreign labor. Assuring a legal workforce through everify will be good for the rule of law, it will take taxpayers and it will place an upward pressure on the wages of floridians who work in bluecollar jobs. [applause] [applause] we are a state that has an economy not the other way around. We need to make sure our lord citizens from all walks of life come first. Education rests on three main components. Number one, beginning teachers. Allowing our, parents did place their child in a good school. Number three, measuring results through accountability. I am recommending that we take the bold step of setting a minimum salary for Public School at 47,500. That will bring florida from the bottom half of states to number two in the nation. [applause] gov. Desantis this will make it easier for us to get talented College Graduates to enter the profession and will help us retain many of the good teachers have now. My plan will lead to a substantial pay increase for over 100,000 current teachers throughout the state. We have two of those teachers here for us today. One is a sixth grade math teacher. In orangeis a teacher county who works with autistic students. Both are highly effective, awardwinning teachers who will see salary increases of 5,000 to 10,000 under my plan. Thank you for your service. [applause] gov. Desantis we are also proposing to replace the best and Brightest Bonus Program with a new initiative that will be more equitable and more generous. So that we can reward our strong performing teachers and principals. My plan places an emphasis on with bonuses of up to 7,500 for teachers and up to 10,000 for principals. These initiatives will build on the successes that we enjoy in 2019. Last year, we placed faced the prospect of florida families toiling on waiting lists for various scholarship programs that we supported throughout the state. Standing here laster, i asked you last year, i ask you to act. Joining us here today are two parents with a son with disabilities on a wait list for a scholarship program. Please stand up and be recognized. [applause] gov. Desantis thanks to our work and 2019, last years wait list was cleared and they were able to get him on a scholarship so that his Educational Needs can be met. Last year, we also had nearly 13,000 low income families on the waiting list for a tax credit scholarship. Theks to the enactment of new family empowerment scholarship, these families have been liberated from them waiting list. We have in the chamber with us and mother of seven who lives right here. [applause] because of your efforts, three of her children with her today are now using this new scholarship program. Fork you for stepping up her and other mothers like her throughout the state. The bottom line is all florida parents should have the ability to choose the best goal for their children. [applause] this choice should not be limited to scholarship programs but also includes School Choice among Public Schools. Florida has 658 public Charter Schools serving 314,000 students. Nearly 17 are hispanic or africanamerican and many are from low income families. Based off of the 2019 national assessment, our Education Department calculated that if floridas Charter School state, it was its own would rank number two in the nation for fourth grade reading. It would tight number two in the nation for fourth grade math. It would rank number one in the nation for eighth grade reading and it would tie for number five in the nation in a grade math. Showing that when we increase educational choice and provide innovative learning opportunities, we can help students reach their full potential. [applause] results matter and accountability is needed. The framework of common core was seriously flawed. Even parents with advanced degrees cannot understand their kids math homework, we have a problem that needs to be addressed. Thecommissioner has spent past year working with stakeholders throughout the state of florida. Toents, teachers you name it develop a superior approach that will focus on strong standards, highquality curriculum, streamlined testing and a renewed emphasis on american civics. We will be unveiling that whole new approach in the coming days. I would like to say one thing about one of the keys for our replacement for common core. It will be having a renewed emphasis on american civics and understanding the u. S. Constitution. This means understanding the source of our rights and understanding the theory of the declaration of independence. Understanding the structure of the constitution as well as the key amendments such as the bill of rights, the postcivil war amendments, and the 19th amendment. This also means developing an appreciation for how these enduring principles animating key points in American History such as the fight for independence 244 years ago. Such is the leadership of president lincoln during the civil war. Such is the activism of the suffragettes who succeeded in securing votes for women and anniversary we celebrate this year. The defeat of nazi totalitarianism during world war ii. The crusade led by dr. King for civil rights for african americans. The titanic ideological struggle against and defeat of the tierney represented by soviet communist. In the final state of the union address, he said a primary object should be the education of our youth and the science of government. A republic must seek knowledge and be equally important. [applause] gov. Desantis speaking of the constitution, when i became governor, i was charged with failing three vacancies on our Supreme Court in the state of florida. In our system of government, courts play an Important Role but it is a role that must remain judicial in nature. When courts exercise legislative authority, they pervert the constitution and undermine the rule of law. I was mindful of choosing justices who understood the proper role the court is to exercise neither forced norwell but merely judgment. I am pleased to report that the appointments were well received. So much so that two of the three have already and promoted to the u. S. Court of appeals for the 11th circuit. [applause] they are both with us here today. [applause] gov. Desantis on behalf of the state of florida, i want to congratulate you both on your new post and i want to wish you continued success and clearly they will still be doing great things for the people of florida. To our remaining justices, dont worry reinforcements are coming soon. With the speaker and president leading the way, the 2019 legislative session saw many reforms in the area of health care. From expanding access to telehealth to repealing antiquated legislation. One Major Initiative that the speaker mentioned earlier today was to provide access to cheaper prescription drugs by bringing in safe, namebrand drugs in foreign markets such as canada. The exact same drug just a much lower price. This can only be done with federal approval and i am happy to report that Trump Administration is moving forward with the applicable legislative legislation. The fact that we are even discussing this is a Major Development in this area and of has been the one to lead the way. Has been the one to lead the way. [applause] gov. Desantis i am also happy to report that the work of the legislature in bringing transparency to health care is starting to bear fruit. The act enacted last year was based on the idea that reducing Health Care Costs requires one transparency and number two, ways for patients to use that information to save money. I am happy to report that the state of florida has implemented a savings plan for its employees and has already realized millions of dollars of savings. This type ofp make plan widely available throughout the state, we can see many millions of dollars in savings for patients. We need to proceed and get that done. Lifeing a culture of allows us to champion adoption and lord is doing much better in this regard. Thanks to the hard work of the secretary and his team at the department of children and families who made a concerted effort to eliminate barriers for 3600 children waiting adoption, dcf was able to reduce the number of 32 making more than 1100 children who were able to find a forever home. [applause] gov. Desantis this was done using the existing resources but by identifying efficiencies, engaging and collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and leveraging the best we can those existing resources. We are working hard to make the adoption process is transparent and userfriendly as possible so that every child can find a loving home. I also hope that the legislature will send me this session the parental consent bill that was debated last year and passed by the house but not by the senate. [applause] gov. Desantis one other update on last sessions good work, citizens insurance has revised its rates because of the impact of a bill resulting in nearly 44,000 additional policyholders receiving rate decreases. The number of lawsuits involving citizens has dropped as well from over 500 in june of last year to only 148 in december. That is early indications are that symbol similar facts are being observed across the private market. [applause] our legal system is supposed to be used for redressing convict hurricane recovery has been a priority for my administration. Asked ary 2019, i director to expedite reimbursements to affected arias areas of recent hurricanes and the agency has distributed more than one one 4 billion to the communities impacted by the hurricanes. The Legislature Also approved in additional 25 million for Hurricane MichaelRecovery Program because that was a major storm and deserved a major response. It has been effective, it has allowed our administration to address local needs and we have a couple of folks from northwest florida here that have with that able to help because of your efforts. [applause] we have a representative from the mexico beach Fire Department. [applause] we were able to use this program to help the county still major budget shortfalls and our support of the Fire Department arguably saved it from going out of existence. This was a major storm. Great progress has been made but a storm of that magnitude is a longterm effort. I ask that you read up this program for another year. [applause] we came close to getting hit with another major storm, Hurricane Dorian which was headed for florida. Numerous managers throughout the state sprang into action. We were hoping for the best we were prepared for the worst. I want to thank everyone involved in the preparation for their efforts. The storm made a 90 degree turn to the north less than 100 miles from our coast. I have never seen anything like that. I made the trip to israel in may were i was able to pray. I would be remiss in not thinking banking the big man upstairs. [applause] when Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492, his ship the santa maria carry the flag of queen isabella. Withlag depicted a castle words meaning nothing further worry at at that time spain was considered the furthest point west in the entire world. When columbus returned and reported his discoveries, the been decreed that the flag changed. The change read more out there. Now we can say there is more out there to achieve for our state. There is no reason why we cant seize this moment and deliver for the people of florida. God bless you and thank you. [applause] washington journal. Morning, theday africanamerican vote and campaign 2020. On the university of Virginia Center for politics will discuss the latest news and campaign 2020. Be sure to watch washington journal live at 7 00 eastern on sunday morning. Join the discussion. Our live coverage of the president ial candidates in iowa continues sunday at 4 00 p. M. Eastern. Amy klobuchar and elizabeth warren, pg buttigieg and deval patrick. Then senator elizabeth werent followed by bernie sanders. Unfilteredign 2020 coverage of the president ial candidates here on cspan. Oro online on cspan. Org listen on the free cspan radio app. Coming up today on cspan, tate reeves delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as mississippis 65th governor. Then, a Campaign Committee president discusses the states they are targeting in the 2020 election. [applause] ideas almost swear that i will faithfully support the quote constitution of the united states. And the constitution of the state of mississippi