OnTheIssuesLogo

Ron DeSantis on Budget & Economy

 

 


Line-item veto and Balanced Budget Amendment

Q: The federal debt recently topped a staggering $34 trillion...

DeSANTIS: In Florida, we have paid down 25% of our state's total debt. Our budget--even though we have millions of more people than New York, our budget is half the size of New York state's budget.

Q: Are you willing to make balance budgeting mandatory?

DeSANTIS: Look, this is a problem, we have to be honest as Republicans. It has not just been the Democrats. Both parties have spent and borrowed and printed money, particularly since COVID. They went on a massive printing and spending binge. You need a president that is going to be a force for more restrained spending. That means you've got to be willing to use your veto pen. In Florida, I have a line-item veto; I think that would be good for the president. I vetoed 3% of the budget one year. That's part of the reason we were able to pay down debt in the state of Florida. I do think we should have a balanced budget requirement in the United States Constitution.

Source: CNN Town Hall: interviews of 2024 presidential candidates , Jan 16, 2024

We've reduced debt by embracing smaller government

We are able to reduce debt because we have been fiscally responsible but also because we have embraced smaller government. Florida has the lowest number of state employees per capita at 96 per 10,000 (82 full time), and the lowest cost per state resident at $40. This year, my budget proposal reduces the budget by $4 billion from the previous year, placing $16.3 billion in reserves and paying down another $455 million in state debt ahead of schedule.

I am proposing that we return $1.1 billion to the people through sweeping tax cuts that will provide even more relief to families, individuals, and retirees just trying to get by during these uncertain times. Let's reduce the cost of homeowners insurance, continue our record-setting sales tax holidays, and provide permanent tax relief for small businesses. We can take what is already one of the lowest per-capita tax burdens in the country and make our taxes even lower.

Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature , Jan 9, 2024

Federal bloated spending and $7.8T debt is reckless

Q: What about the federal government shutdown coming next week if Congress can't pass a budget?

DESANTIS: The people in Washington are shutting down the American dream with their reckless behavior. They borrowed, they printed, they spent and now you're paying more for everything. They are the reason for that. They need to change what's going on. And where's Joe Biden? He's completely missing in action from leadership. You know who else is missing in action? Donald Trump is missing in action. He should be on this stage tonight, to defend his record, where they added $7.8 trillion to the debt. That set the stage for the inflation that we have. As governor of Florida, we cut taxes; we ran surpluses; we've paid down over 25% of our state debt. And I vetoed wasteful spending when it came to my desk. And as your president, when they send me a bloating spending bill that's going to cause your prices to go up, I'm going to take out this veto pen and I'm going to send it right back to them.

Source: Fox Business 2023 Republican primary debate in Simi Valley , Sep 27, 2023

Throw Bidenomics in the trash can on Day One

Q: Over 26 million Americans don't have insurance coverage, & Florida is worse than the national average. Can Americans trust you on this?

DESANTIS: Well, I think this is a symptom of our overall economic decline. Everything has gotten more expensive. You see insurance rates going through the roof. People are hurting out there. So, we've got to address the underlying problem, with Bidenomics, the overspending. Taking all Biden's rules and regulations, I'm going to throw them in the trash can, on day one, you're not going to have to worry about that. We're going to open up all of our energy. We will be energy-dominant, in this country that will lower your gas prices. And what we need to do with health care is recognize our health care is putting patients at the back of the bus. We have Big Pharma, Big Insurance, and Big Government. And we need to tackle that, and have more power, for the people, and the doctor-patient relationship.

Source: Fox Business 2023 Republican primary debate in Simi Valley , Sep 27, 2023

Endorsed by the Club for Growth, for pro-growth stances.

DeSantis is endorsed by by the Club for Growth, a conservative PAC

The Club for Growth endorses economic conservatives. Their endorsement statement:

`Members of the Club are economic conservatives, like-minded political contributors who are frustrated with the ideological drift of both parties today. Club members have a shared goal of contributing to and electing more Reaganites to Congress who are willing to stand for the issues like: cutting taxes, controlling federal spending, personal accounts for Social Security, ending the death tax, eliminating the capital gains tax, fundamental tax reform, providing true school choice and minimizing government`s role in our daily lives.`

Source: CFG website 12-CFG on Oct 31, 2012

Opposes federal stimulus spending.

DeSantis opposes the PVS survey question on federal stimulus

Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Congressional candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 11% did so in the 2012 races.

Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?'

Source: Project Vote Smart 12-PVS-qBE on Aug 30, 2012

Audit the Federal Reserve & its actions on mortgage loans.

DeSantis co-sponsored Federal Reserve Transparency Act

The Federal Reserve Transparency Act directs: