DeSantis’ vision will accomplish what’s best for Florida

So far this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been busy. As he was being inaugurated into his second term, new state laws and changes to current laws began taking effect.

Among the changes are toll-road credits for some motorists, disaster assistance through property-tax rebates when residential properties are rendered uninhabitable and, most notably, changes to property insurance, ending the controversial assignmentof-benefits practice. Also significant is a $300 million land-preservation plan. DeSantis has made it clear he doesn’t want countries such as China buying such property in the Sunshine State.

He later signed Executive Order 23-06, further advancing Florida’s environment and water quality protections. He proposed a $3.5 billion investment over four years for Everglades restoration and protection of our water sources — surpassing the historic investments he made during his first term.

He also is working on decreasing prescriptiondrug costs by reining in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) that have acted as the middlemen between pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists. These mostly unregulated and unchecked PBMs often raise drug prices for their own financial gain.

During his first term, the governor worked to improve the lives of the elderly, with special services and Alzheimer’s research. He has also worked to improve the lives of our children by protecting their schools and their minds. All this while protecting our wallets, homes and state resources.

Isn’t that what we want from all our government leaders, to do what they say they will do and serve and protect the people?

In his inauguration address, DeSantis reaffirmed his commitment to the “Free State of Florida” — the land of liberty and sanity, where “woke goes to die.” It has not always been a popular message, but since the pandemic, large numbers of families have moved to Florida to get away from lockdowns and restrictions enforced in other states.

If January is any indication of the governor’s mission to get things done, then he’s off to a great start. – John Grant, president, Seniors Across America, Tampa