Governor Ron DeSantis and his “Freedom” train rolls into Tampa Bay.

Governor Ron DeSantis and his “Freedom” train rolls into Tampa Bay.

By Jack Pagano
jack@thetampapost.com

Tampa, FL- With a big bounce in his steady gait, Governor Ron DeSantis came to Tampa Bay with a volley of good news.  The world is moving to the Sunshine State at a rapid pace with the governor right off the bat bragging how Tampa Bay, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville are always in the top 4 best places to live in the country.

Speaking to a joyous Tampa Bay History Center crowd, his “Moving Florida Forward” initiative is ahead of schedule.  For a moment in the room, DeSantis transformed himself into Tampa Bay’s favorite son, former Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.  DeSantis was tossing touchdown after touchdown, spiking the ball.  “We have many great road projects that need to be done in the next 10 to 20 years which is ahead of schedule.  That’s going to save a lot of money… We have a big budget surplus; we paid down 25 percent of our state’s debt since I’ve been governor; we cut taxes…”  His greatest hits were nonstop topping off with a Memorial Day 4-day weekend “freebie” to state parks.  No charge to visit Florida’s parks during the Memorial Day weekend.

Tampa Bay History Center. Governor Ron DeSantis speaking to a partisan crowd about the many benefits of living in the Sunshine State.  30 April 24 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Starting July 1, DeSantis said, “We are reinstituting the ‘Freedom Sales Tax Holiday’ initiative.” For July, tax-free fishing supplies, camping supplies, boating and water activities, pool supplies, sunscreens, sunblock, bug spray, and general outdoor supplies. DeSantis said with a huge smile as big as a Key West sunset, “This is part of enjoying the summer in Florida.”  Last summer more than 35 million came to Florida.  A record.

Tampa Bay History Center. Governor Ron DeSantis speaks about the many achievements his administration has produced over the past 6 years. 30 April 24 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Sure, it was one of those events where the governor showcases the administration’s greatest hits.  One of his lieutenants, President and CEO of “Visit Florida” Dana Young took the baton from DeSantis telling everyone, “Last year 135 million people came to visit Florida.  The numbers are huge. 2 million Floridians work in our hospitality industry.  That is 1 of every 6 jobs in the Sunshine State.”

The “Freedom Month” event did get down to current events, especially the topic of discussion with protestors on college campuses.  DeSantis talked about how Florida university officials stopped protestors by “turning on the sprinkler” system.   “You can’t pitch a tent in a sea of sprinklers…”  Perhaps the college presidents around the country should have taken a strategy page out of that playbook.  It worked in Florida and would have worked in New York and Los Angeles.  DeSantis lamented, “You have a right to say what you want. You have a right to express your opinion.  You don’t have a right to commandeer the lawn on a university campus. You don’t have a right to harass other people. You don’t have a right to physically impede.”

Tampa Bay History Center. Governor Ron DeSantis gets a standing ovation after showcasing some of his “Florida” initiatives. 30 April 24 (photo by Jack Pagano)

DeSantis is very confident that what is happening in other parts of the country will not happen here.  He is very willing to relax some transfer restrictions for students who may be fleeing universities where toxicity is happening.

It’s just another idea DeSantis has in making Florida the best state in the country.  His biggest smile and chuckle of the day came when talking about how Florida has changed the political paradigm in the state.  “You’ll remember when I became governor, this state had almost 300,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. Today we have 900,00 more Republicans registered in the state.  Those demographics made it an uphill climb because of Biden’s failed leadership and failed policies.”

Tampa Bay History Center. Governor Ron DeSantis praised his initiatives that are making Florida the place to go, be seen, and have a holiday there. 30 April 24 (photo by Jack Pagano)

DeSantis may have a strong Florida tailwind at his back. The question remains: Will he finish out his governorship or take the plunge and become former President Donald J. Trump’s vice president candidate?  With a Trump, DeSantis ticket and win, the country could see 12 years of a Republican leading the nation. The Tampa Bay History Center crowd is all in.

Tampa Bay History Center. Governor Ron DeSantis praised his initiatives that are making Florida the place to go, be seen, and have a holiday there. 30 April 24 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 Jack Pagano is a retired Army field grade officer with many decades of Information Operations experience and currently working remotely in the USA as COO/Strategist for one of Afghanistan’s biggest Radio/TV networks.  His current mission is getting out Afghan journalists he trained, and mentored who are stuck, stranded under the Sharia-driven Taliban.