46th Governor of the great state of Florida.

Joined January 2013
In just the past seven years, property tax revenues across Florida’s 67 counties have increased nearly 100 percent. Local governments are taking in almost twice as much money—for more than the inflation in population has increased. The State of Florida has reduced its budget FOUR YEARS in a row. Local governments can surely do the same. Amendment 3 creates a path to full elimination of property taxes for homesteaded Floridians. It also provides immediate and meaningful relief for Florida residents by expanding the homestead exemption from non-school property taxes. Vote YES on Amendment 3!
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In 2023, fentanyl killed nearly 5,000 Floridians. By 2025, the death toll from fentanyl had fallen to 2,000.  Florida’s State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant program has supercharged law enforcement capacity to keep our communities safe from deadly illicit drugs. We have strengthened drug interdiction efforts, supported law enforcement operations to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking syndicates, and increased access to life-saving tools like naloxone for first responders. In addition to the 60% decline in fentanyl overdose deaths, the latest Florida Medical Examiners Commission report found that deaths caused by fentanyl analogs have declined by over 50%. The data also show broader declines in all drug-related deaths over the past year. We will continue supporting law enforcement and remain committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Floridians.
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The Florida Medical Examiners Commission recently released their 2025 Annual Drug Report, which shows a nearly 60% decline in fentanyl-caused deaths statewide since our State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant program launched in 2023. So far, S.A.F.E. has resulted in almost 3,000 arrests of drug traffickers and dealers, as well as significant seizures of dangerous narcotics. Officers have seized more than 600 pounds of fentanyl and 65,000 fentanyl pills—enough to kill nearly 40% of the U.S. population. These are not small-time drug busts; they are major cartel-linked operations dismantled in Florida. The Trump Administration’s commitment to securing the border, and our work with federal partners on immigration enforcement, has undoubtedly helped save many lives. State, local, and federal law enforcement continue to work together to combat drug trafficking and protect Floridians. If you are pushing poison in Florida, you will be caught, you will be arrested, and you will be held accountable for your crimes.
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As the Panhandle recovers from Hurricane Isaias, we are helping businesses reopen safely and getting Floridians back to work. Thanks to the efforts of first responders, emergency management personnel, and state agency teams, many businesses in the region have already been able to start operating again and welcoming customers—including Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi in Destin.   Our efforts to help businesses reopen and restore the region’s economy are ongoing in the hardest-hit communities. So far, 236 Business Damage Assessment Surveys have been completed, and we have made available $10 million through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. These are short-term, zero-interest loans to help small business owners get the immediate cash flow they need to reopen while they wait for other funding, like insurance, to kick in. We’re committed to doing everything we can to help Panhandle communities get the assistance they need to get back on their feet. If you are a business owners or local resident affected by Hurricane Isaias, visit FloridaDisaster.org for more information on resources available to you.
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Since Hurricane Isaias made landfall, we have been working to ensure that those affected by this storm have the assistance they need to get back on their feet. We are operating seven Multi-Agency Resource Centers where Floridians can learn about available assistance and get connected with recovery resources. Thanks to our partnership with Emergency RV, we have started providing travel trailers to Floridians displaced by significant hurricane damage, so they have a safe place to live while they rebuild. We’re also committed to helping the first responders whose homes were impacted by the storm and still showed up to serve their communities. With funding from the Florida Sheriffs Association, we are providing these first responders with $5,000 each to show our gratitude. Schools in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties have reopened and resumed normal operations. We’re grateful for the hard work of school teams, transportation crews, and all our partners who helped make them safe for students and staff. For more information on Hurricane Isaias resources, visit FloridaDisaster.org.
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Today, I was proud to present the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to Baseball Hall of Famer and great Floridian Andre Dawson. His distinguished career in Major League Baseball, his contributions to the sport, and his lasting impact on our state have earned him this award. From his childhood in Southwest Miami, to his college days at FAMU, to his legendary MLB career, “The Hawk” has represented Florida in the best possible way for decades. His generous support of FAMU and its baseball program has helped generations of student-athletes succeed. The Governor’s Medal of Freedom is the highest honor I can bestow on any Floridian, and Andre Dawson truly deserves this recognition.
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Since Hurricane Isaias made landfall a week ago, more than 1,600 response missions have been completed. We are focused on delivering the critical supplies and resources needed to get people back on their feet and recover from this storm. We are operating 11 Points of Distribution across the Panhandle, which have given out: ✓ More than 270,000 shelf-stable meals ✓ Nearly half a million boxes of water ✓ Nearly 225,000 gallons of fuel ✓ More than 26,000 bags of ice and tarps   As recovery efforts continue, Florida has submitted a Major Disaster Declaration request to the federal government. We are requesting Public and Individual Assistance to help support Panhandle residents, local governments, and infrastructure affected by the storm.   In addition, we are now partnering with Emergency RV to provide temporary housing for Floridians displaced by Hurricane Isaias. We will be doing everything we can to help these families rebuild their homes, and in the meantime, we want them to be able to keep living in their communities with as little disruption to their daily lives as possible.
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Today, we unveiled a new statue of Christopher Columbus, whose voyages connected the Old World to the New World. Columbus charted the course for other European explorers who would eventually settle Florida. In fact, Juan Ponce de Leon—the Spanish explorer who named Florida—was part of Columbus’ second voyage. This statue of Columbus stands in Naples as a testament to the pioneering spirit of Western Civilization, essential to appreciating Florida’s and America’s history.
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Florida is committed to preserving and honoring our nation’s history. As part of our work to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, we have commissioned statues of important historical figures throughout our state. I was proud to unveil the latest in this series today: a statue of Christopher Columbus in Naples. The first European to discover the Americas, Columbus heralded a new era of exploration that transformed both sides of the Atlantic. Columbus’ discoveries inspired and informed the voyages that led to Florida’s settlement. His courage during those tumultuous journeys laid the foundation for what would one day become the United States of America. In the Free State of Florida, Christopher Columbus is a hero. End of story.
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I was glad to speak at the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Fall Board Meeting & Gala today in Clearwater. Hospitality is essential to our state’s economy, and since I became governor, Florida has hit record after record in tourism. @FRLAnews has been a great partner to the State of Florida, especially when it comes to disaster response. Since Hurricane Isaias made landfall, FRLA has assisted with feeding displaced Floridians and encouraged more than 76,000 lodging establishments to relax pet policies and waive pet fees for evacuees. FRLA also secured lodging for strike teams that are canvassing affected areas to help small businesses reopen as soon as possible. Today, I was proud to announce that @VISITFLORIDA is awarding $1 million to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to resume their successful marketing campaign following Hurricane Isaias. This investment comes from a dedicated disaster recovery budget that is set aside to help Florida’s tourism industry. The returns are proven to be great: For every dollar invested in this strategic tourism marketing effort in 2024-2025, Northwest Florida generated $58.95 in total economic impact. Recovery efforts are still underway, and the safety of residents and visitors remains our top priority. We will coordinate with local partners to ensure that the marketing campaign timeline reflects their readiness to welcome tourists to enjoy Northwest Florida’s world-class beaches, outdoor recreation, and natural beauty.
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