Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has kicked off his “Freedom Blueprint” tour in Florida, prompting media coverage of his all-but-announced candidacy for president. However, almost lost in discussion of DeSantis’s policies is his actual record of governance, which reveals a consistent lack of investment in social and economic well-being that falls short in almost any measure of what matters to the lives of ordinary citizens. Despite Florida being a tax haven for corporations and the wealthy, and a popular retirement destination, under DeSantis, social policies that would improve the standard of living of Floridians overall have been starved for funding. In light of this record, critics argue the governor’s weaponisation of the culture wars only serves to deflect attention from shortcomings in critical areas such as health care, school funding, long-term elder care, and wages for non-affluent citizens.
Given DeSantis’s track record, it is unlikely that his state’s failures in these areas will make national media coverage of his presidential bid, despite their importance. He has prioritised low taxes for the wealthier segment of society, leaving programmes geared towards improving the lives of lower-income citizens lacking in funding. As a result, employers are able to flout wage legislation and workers feel the pinch of an increasingly unequal tax system that disproportionately supports wealthier demographics.
The issue is not restricted to Florida; many Republican-led states allocate fewer per-capita dollars to education, health care, and essential services compared to blue states, while granting corporations and wealthy citizens privileges related to tax relief. An investigation by the Orlando Sentinel in late 2019 revealed that 99% of Florida’s companies paid no corporate income tax, relying on tax-avoidance schemes and lax tax laws. Education Week, which ranks states public school annually, also placed Florida 23rd in its 2021 report, a lackluster showing for a large and wealthy state.
Despite efforts to divert attention elsewhere with the culture wars, it seems clear that social policies and investment in infrastructure are becoming increasingly important to voters. Florida’s failure to ensure a minimum wage commensurate with its cost of living, the seventh-lowest per-pupil funding in the country and the state ranking 49th in the country for average teacher pay in 2020, are all concerns that may give voters cause to consider the implications of DeSantis’s governance for his potential presidency.
