JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Just one day before Florida’s 2026 legislative session begins in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a notable decrease in statewide homeowners’ insurance premiums, which comes as the governor prepares for his “State of the State Address,” which is scheduled for Tuesday.
DeSantis spent much of his morning in Broward County discussing the premium reductions. He said policyholders with Citizens Property Insurance, the state-backed insurer, can expect an average premium reduction of 8.7% statewide, with even greater savings in South Florida.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Gov. DeSantis announces ‘historic’ rate reductions for Citizens Insurance policyholders
The governor also reiterated his call for a special legislative session in April 2026 to redraw Florida’s congressional districts. He wants the timing to coincide with an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act, which could impact Florida’s districts.
DeSantis further discussed plans to slash property taxes after proposing a constitutional amendment, emphasizing that these efforts put Florida on the right track.
“Just imagine, the insurance momentum continues, and you’re able to do property tax, then you’ve basically taken homeowner ship and the cost, then we would have done more than any other state to take a whack at that more than anyone in the country,” DeSantis said. “We are in a unique situation where we have so many people coming into the state and pay tax.”
In response, Jacksonville-based State Representative Angie Nixon held an online rebuttal to the governor’s press conference. Joined by healthcare workers, parents, and former Florida representatives, Nixon argued that the governor’s policies are not benefiting working families in Florida.
“Let’s be clear, Florida is too expensive for Floridians, insurance is out of control and rent is out of control and so are groceries,” Nixon said. “Instead of lowering cost, they are passing policies that raise prices on everything from food and housing, just so they can give more handouts to the ultra-wealthy corporations.”
Former Florida state senator and Attorney General candidate Jose Rodriguez also criticized the governor. “The governor has reviewed a legislative session focused on political priorities and not on tackling what everyday Floridians need,” Rodriguez said. “He’s even talked about a costly and unnecessary redistricting.”
DeSantis will deliver his final State of the State address Tuesday morning as the 2026 Regular Session reconvenes in Tallahassee.