Woke ‘travel advisories’ will not stop Florida’s popularity
Hudson Crozier
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The liberal media are always looking to show that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is facing some kind of poetic justice for his conservative policy victories. The latest narrative misleadingly suggests that Florida’s political climate is tanking its economy.
“DeSantis’ ‘anti-woke’ bills are costing Florida millions of dollars in business,” CNN reported on Sunday. It focuses on “at least a dozen” organizations that have canceled events and conferences in the state, hurting its convention business.
WHY VOTERS AREN’T BUYING BIDENOMICS
The outlet attributes their fears to “protests, lawsuits and travel advisories warning the state is ‘openly hostile’ toward people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ community members.” It warns that the millions of dollars lost “may be just the beginning.”
When one looks at rates of migration into Florida under DeSantis, the story falls apart. Florida’s population has increased for several years in a row, becoming the fastest-growing state in the country for the first time in over 60 years. It is estimated that more than 1,200 people move in every day.
Ironically, a large reason is that Florida is seen as pro-business. It is also pro-liberty, leading many to flee blue states for fewer restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Florida seemed to have lost some lockdown refugees in 2021, the increase in migration is not “just a pandemic thing,” as the New York Post put it.
CNN laughably claims that Florida’s conservatism presents “safety concerns.” Tell that to the Florida newcomers who have left more urban states because they felt unsafe or new law enforcement recruits who say DeSantis makes it easier to do their jobs.
So what exactly are Florida’s big flaws, according to the Left?
Officials do not want drag queens dancing sexually in front of children. Schools cannot teach whatever radical nonsense they want. Illegal immigrants have a hard time stealing jobs and impersonating lawful residents. Men cannot ruin women’s sports or invade their bathrooms. And babies with a detectable heartbeat are able to see the light of day.
Did I miss anything?
Overall, the populous Sunshine State experienced 4% GDP growth last year, almost doubling the national rate of increase. If all it is losing are fragile liberal tourists, DeSantis’s Florida will be just fine.
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Hudson Crozier is a summer 2023 Washington Examiner fellow.