Is Florida No. 1? Fact-checking DeSantis' inauguration speech superlatives

James Call, Tallahassee Democrat
·4 min read
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Gov. Ron DeSantis declared Florida a national leader in more than a half dozen categories after he was sworn into office for a second term Tuesday.

In a speech that many view as a preview of a presidential run, DeSantis said that in the past four years Florida has “lifted people up” in their pursuit of business opportunities, a college degree, and the education of their children, while “so many states in our country grinded their citizens down.”

Inauguration coverage:Gov. Ron DeSantis sworn in for second term, calls Florida a 'citadel of freedom'

However, surveys by think tanks, government agencies, and consumer groups do not always match DeSantis’ description of Florida as a leader in all the metrics mentioned.

A quick review of the scorecard DeSantis unveiled shows Florida can lay claim to the No. 1 spot in three policy areas cited, but could face a challenge from Texas in one other, and may fall short of the top spot in four others.

How the Florida 'citadel of freedom' stacks up with other states

Draped by banners of “The Free State of Florida,” DeSantis launched his second term with the celebration of the Sunshine State as a “citadel of freedom.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis stands at the podium on the steps of the historic Capitol as he gives a speech after being sworn in to serve a second term as the Governor of Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
Gov. Ron DeSantis stands at the podium on the steps of the historic Capitol as he gives a speech after being sworn in to serve a second term as the Governor of Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

DeSantis declared Florida first in “economic freedom,” a set of free market principles highlighted in the fiscal conservative Heritage Foundation’s annual Economic Freedom Index of countries. The Index uses a formula developed by retired Florida State University economics professor James Gwartney to measure a country's adherence to free market principles.

That commitment to freedom, DeSantis told a crowd of nearly 3,000 gathered at the steps of the Historic Old Capitol, has rippled through Florida to make the state No. 1 in the USA for tourism, business formation, education freedom, parental involvement in education, higher education, net in-migration, and also the state with the fastest growing population.

But others see it differently, when it comes to business and education.

People begin to file in for the inauguration of Gov. Ron DeSantis in front of Florida’s Historic Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
People begin to file in for the inauguration of Gov. Ron DeSantis in front of Florida’s Historic Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

And, if No. 1 in higher education meant value in terms of cost and return on investment, Florida isn’t in the Top 10, according to one investment advisor firm.

Provided with a list of rankings at odds with DeSantis' declarations, his office provided a list of its own to back up his assertions.

To be sure, Florida clearly leads all surveys in tourism: Disney World is the world’s top tourist attraction.

The Center for Education Reform, a nonprofit pro-charter school advocacy group based in Washington, D.C, listed Florida first in its annual Parent Power! Index.

And the U.S. Census Bureau confirms Florida leads the nation in new residents from other states. It also finds that Texas leads the nation in numerical population growth while Florida leads in population growth by percentage.

Gov. Ron DeSantis stands at the podium on the steps of the historic Capitol to give a speech after his inauguration Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
Gov. Ron DeSantis stands at the podium on the steps of the historic Capitol to give a speech after his inauguration Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

But when it comes to the other policy arenas DeSantis mentioned, there are surveys that find Florida is not the unchallenged national leader.

Here’s what DeSantis said and what surveys reveal:

What was said: “We are No. 1 in new business formations.” 

Survey says: U.S. Census Bureau compilation of new business applications between November 2021 and November 2022 has Florida at 16 in the number of applications filed. Legal Nature web site ranks Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming as the top three states to start and incorporate a business. The governor's office made the declaration, citing state employment figures, and 28 consecutive months of private job growth starting in May 2020.

What was said: “We are No. 1 in economic freedom.”  

Survey says: The Fraser Institute Annual Economic Freedom Index 2022 ranks Florida second to New Hampshire in adherence to free market principles of fewer regulations, low tax rates, and less government spending. DeSantis' office cited The Cato Institute, which lists Florida as No. 1 in its index of Economic Freedom.

What was said: "Florida is No. 1 in education freedom."

Survey says: The Cato Institute’s ranking of states based on restrictions imposed on private and home schooling ranks Florida second to Arizona.  The governor's office cites a Heritage Foundation study that ranked the state No. 1 overall, but behind Indiana and Arizona in school choice.

What was said: "Florida also ranks No. 1 in public higher education."

Survey Says: SmartAsset ranked Florida 14th according to graduation rate, price, student-to-faculty ratio, 20-year return on investment and in-state attendance rate.  DeSantis office cites a U.S. News and World Report ranking of which states are the most educated.

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Is Florida No. 1? Fact-checking DeSantis' inauguration speech