Gov. Ron DeSantis lambasted New York’s fiscal policies during a Friday morning press conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, arguing that the Empire State is drowning its residents in taxes.
Speaking at a packed gathering at Valley Smoke, DeSantis made the comments while unveiling a new pay increase package for state law enforcement officers and firefighters.
DeSantis touted his management of Sunshine State finances, saying New York transplants marvel at Florida’s superior municipal services after making the move south.
“New York used to have more people than us,” he said. “Now they have several million fewer. And yet, our budget in Florida is less than half of New York’s budget.”
Empire Staters, he said, are avalanched with taxes — and cited Manhattan’s controversial new congestion pricing policy, which imposes an additional toll on drivers who enter the borough.
“You have all this money going in there, they’re spending it, but what are the results? When people move here from New York, they tell me our roads are better. They tell me that it’s easier to get a driver’s license. They tell me the schools are nicer. And obviously, we perform better.”
DeSantis said he expects states like New York to try to continue to tax their way out of fiscal quagmires.
“Where is all this money going?” he said. “It just shows you: If you give government an inch, they’ll take a mile.”
Part of Florida’s appeal to those living in other states, he said, is rooted in its support of its law enforcement agencies.
With St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick seated in the front row, he said recruitment and retention — both in and out of state — is crucial.
He announced a $120 million spending package that will boost pay for 4,700 state law enforcement officers and 700 state firefighters.
“Not that everyone does this for money, because honestly, you’re not going to be super rich being in law enforcement. But we think it should be something where you can earn adequate income to have a good middle-class lifestyle.”
Disaffected officers from other states, he said, are continuing to migrate to Florida’s departments — including to the St. Johns Sheriff’s Office.
“We want to make sure we’re keeping top talent,” he said.
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