TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday opened up Florida’s annual session with a stripped-down State of the State speech that was one-part presidential campaign messaging and a recitation of some of his signature policies over the last several years.

DeSantis, who returned to Tallahassee from the campaign trail just days before the Iowa caucuses, gave his annual address even as severe weather bore down on Florida’s Panhandle. A tornado warning sounded loudly on lawmakers’ phones a little more than a half-hour before the Republican governor began his speech and every state government building — except the Capitol — was closed due to the storm threat.

Unlike past years, when DeSantis was gearing up for a 2024 presidential run, the governor didn’t lay out a lengthy wish list he wanted from his GOP allies. He also didn’t address in depth some of the state’s persistent problems that revolve around affordability or property insurance. Instead, during his 35-minute speech, he reiterated some of his ongoing budget priorities such as increasing teacher pay and spending more on the environment.

“My message is simple: stay the course,” DeSantis told legislators. “The state of our state is strong. Let’s keep doing what works. Let’s continue to make Florida the envy........

© Politico