Ron DeSantis, the current Governor of Florida, recently announced his candidacy for the 2022 United States presidential election. As part of his campaign, DeSantis has shared his plans for the country and made a series of claims that warrant further scrutiny.
Claim: DeSantis has cut taxes in Florida by more than $10 billion, resulting in economic growth and job creation.
Fact: While DeSantis has lowered taxes in Florida, the cut has only amounted to about $5 billion since he became Governor. The state has seen increased economic growth since DeSantis took office, but it is uncertain how much of this growth is the result of his tax policy. Additionally, Florida has seen an overall decrease in jobs since DeSantis took office in 2018, though it should be noted that this could be due to the pandemic rather than his tax policy.
Claim: DeSantis has passed strong anti-corruption measures to “drain the swamp.”
Fact: DeSantis has signed into law several anti-corruption measures since 2018, including a ban on certain “revolving door” practices and a ban on government contractors donating to elected officials. However, whether or not these measures have been effective in curbing corruption is yet to be seen.