2020 Lay of the Land Conference Recap and Resources

DeSantis Highlights Florida’s Strong Economy at Lay of the Land Conference

DeSantis pointed out some indicators that Florida is economically strong, including the state’s low unemployment rate of approximately 3 percent. He added that Florida’s state budget is about half that of New York state even though Florida has a higher population. The governor spent several minutes declaring that a college degree is no longer essential to achieve financial success. He said some with a high school diploma and a skill like welding will make more money than “the bottom half” of those with college degrees, and without incurring student debt. “Nobody’s better because they get a 4-year degree,” he declared. Related to his efforts to strengthen Florida’s ecology and conservation efforts, DeSantis spoke about water management efforts, particularly in the Everglades, and the state’s land purchases.