When Ron DeSantis first walked into the Governor's Mansion in 2019, he wasn't exactly a household name outside of North Florida and political junkies. He was a former Navy JAG and a relatively quiet congressman who had snagged a narrow victory over Andrew Gillum. Fast forward to early 2026, and the landscape has completely shifted. Whether you see him as a savior of "free" Florida or a divisive figure who leaned too hard into the culture wars, his two terms changed the state in ways that are hard to overstate.
Honestly, looking back at the Ron DeSantis governor term, it’s a story of aggressive executive power. He didn't just suggest things to the legislature; he basically handed them a pen and said, "Sign this." From the COVID-19 lockdowns—or the lack thereof—to his recent pushes for property tax reform in his final 2026 State of the State address, the guy has been a walking headline.
The Economic Playbook: Surpluses and Stress
The "Florida Blueprint" as he liked to call it was built on a foundation of low taxes and high migration. He constantly touted that Florida was the top state for net in-migration, and he wasn't lying. Millions moved in.
Because of that influx, the state budget swelled. By 2025, DeSantis was announcing a "Floridians First" budget proposal that topped $117 billion. He’s managed to pay down about 50% of the state’s legacy debt, which is a massive win for fiscal conservatives.
But there's a flip side. You've probably heard people complaining about the "affordability crisis" in Florida lately. While the state government has a $16 billion reserve, the average person in Orlando or Miami is sweating over insurance premiums. Homeowners' insurance rates in Florida have become some of the highest in the country, and while the Governor recently signed reforms to lure more companies into the market, many locals feel the help is coming too slow.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
- Budget Surplus: Florida hit a record surplus in 2023.
- New Businesses: Over 3.8 million new businesses formed since 2019.
- Debt Reduction: $250 million recurring debt paydown established in the 2026-27 budget.
- Teacher Pay: Nearly $6 billion total allotted for teacher salary increases, though Florida still ranks low in national averages due to cost of living.
The Education Battleground
If you want to understand the Ron DeSantis governor term, you have to look at the schools. This is where he got the most "punchy." He basically declared war on what he called "woke indoctrination."
First, there was the Parental Rights in Education Act—the one the media and critics dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. It started with K-3 and eventually expanded to all grades, banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. Then came the Stop WOKE Act, which targeted how race and history are taught.
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He didn't stop at K-12. He went after the universities too, specifically targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. He even overhauled New College of Florida, a small liberal arts school, by appointing a conservative-leaning board of trustees to change the school’s "mission." It was a bold move that basically said: "If you take state money, you follow state values."
The Disney Stand-Off and The Presidential Run
You can't talk about his tenure without mentioning the mouse. The feud with Disney started when the company criticized his education policies. DeSantis responded by trying to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District—Disney's special taxing district.
It was a messy, high-stakes game of chicken that ended up in the courts. While it helped build his brand as a "warrior" during his 2024 presidential run, some fiscal hawks wondered if the legal fees and potential tax burdens on local residents were worth the political points.
Speaking of that 2024 run—it was a weird time for Florida. He was running for President while still serving as Governor. Critics said he was treating the state like a "campaign stump," passing laws specifically to appeal to primary voters in Iowa and New Hampshire. When he dropped out and returned his full focus to Tallahassee, he seemed to double down on local issues like the "rural renaissance" and AI ethics.
Environmental Paradox: The Everglades
Here is something that surprises people who only see him as a partisan fighter: he’s been surprisingly "green" when it comes to the Everglades. Early in his first term, he committed billions to water quality and restoration.
In his 2026 State of the State, he actually got a bit poetic about it, mentioning how flamingos have returned to the Glades. He’s consistently pushed for more money for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and has been more aggressive on this front than many of his Republican predecessors. It’s one of the few areas where he’s managed to get some bipartisan nods, even if they are reluctant.
Life in the "Free State" of Florida
By 2026, the Florida DeSantis is leaving behind looks very different. It’s a state with constitutional carry (no permit needed for concealed firearms) and a six-week abortion ban. It’s a state where the "AI Bill of Rights" is becoming a real thing to protect people from "online slop."
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The term-limited governor is now entering his "lame duck" phase, but he doesn't seem to be slowing down. He’s pushing for a constitutional amendment to slash property taxes on the 2026 ballot. He wants to make sure his thumbprint stays on the state long after he leaves the mansion.
Actionable Insights for Floridians
If you're living in Florida or thinking about moving there as his term winds down, here’s what you actually need to do to navigate the "DeSantis Era" legacy:
- Check Your Tax Exemptions: With the new pushes for property tax relief, keep an eye on the 2026 ballot measures. If passed, you might need to re-file or apply for new exemptions to see those savings on your "perpetual rent."
- Audit Your School Choice Options: Florida now has universal school choice. If you aren't happy with your local public school's curriculum changes, you have more access to vouchers for private or charter schools than almost any other state.
- Monitor Insurance Reforms: If you’re a homeowner, don't just "set and forget" your policy. New companies are entering the market because of the 2024-2025 reforms. Shop around every six months; the "DeSantis premium" might finally be cooling off.
- Stay Updated on AI Regulations: If you work in tech or use AI for business, watch the 2026 legislative session closely. The proposed "AI Bill of Rights" could change how you handle data and chatbots within state lines.
The Ron DeSantis governor term wasn't just a political era; it was a total recalibration of how Florida functions. Whether that's a good thing depends entirely on which side of the "free state" line you're standing on.