Milken Institute · Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis | Global Conference 2026

1. 1. DeSantis credited mayors in New York and Chicago as the best ambassadors for Florida, as their policies drove people to flee to his state.
2. 2. DeSantis argued that Chicago's problems worsened because residents responded to failures by electing someone who exacerbated them, eroding confidence in political turnaround.
3. 3. DeSantis said the wealth tax proposed in California has already failed because it caused massive wealth to flee the state before even being enacted.
4. 4. DeSantis criticized New York Mayor Eric Adams for personally targeting Ken Griffin outside his home, saying it signals to businesses they may not be welcome.
5. 5. DeSantis predicted that New York City will remain the finance epicenter for now, but growth will shift to Texas and Florida, and Miami's role will expand over 25 years.
6. 6. DeSantis said Florida became number one in workforce education by 2025, ahead of its 2030 goal, by promoting vocational certifications in high schools.
7. 7. DeSantis argued that white-collar jobs are more at risk from AI than skilled trades, which remain in high demand in Florida.
8. 8. DeSantis criticized the social stigma against vocational education, saying it pushed students into debt and degrees like 'zombie studies' instead of practical skills.
9. 9. DeSantis claimed that since 2019, more income has moved into Florida than into any other state in U.S. history, even adjusted for inflation.
10. 10. DeSantis proposed a 100% property tax exemption for homesteaded Florida residents, to be on the November ballot, arguing local governments have grown too large.
11. 11. DeSantis said the college sports reform committee, with Randy Levine, is pushing for an antitrust exemption to fix eligibility, transfers, and NIL collectives.
12. 12. DeSantis hinted at a possible presidential run after his term ends in January 2027, citing his record of turning Florida from a Democratic-leaning state to a Republican stronghold.