Photo: Adobe Stock
More New Yorkers are ditching the blue state in search of a warmer and less authoritative environment, the Sunshine State.
Even after officials lifted New York’s strict Covid-19 restrictions, streams of people have continued to flood Florida.
According to the New York Post, 21,546 citizens switched their New York driver’s license for a Florida one during the first four months of 2022. That’s a 12 percent increase from 2021 during the same period.
The totals for this year are 55 percent higher than the first four months of 2019 pre-pandemic.
The total number of citizens from New York that exchanged their licenses for the Sunshine State last year was 61,728. However, the number is expected to surge this year if the current trend continues, the outlet added.
Florida’s numerous triumphs under Gov. Ron DeSantis appear to be a leading factor leading the migration into the Sunshine State.
DeSantis, who was featured on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list, was recently praised by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush wrote that DeSantis “has allowed Florida to emerge from the pandemic as a national model of personal freedom, economic growth, environmental protection, and educational excellence.”
“During the pandemic, most people stayed home, and those who didn’t probably moved to Florida. Despite relentless criticism, Governor Ron DeSantis kept schools open, ensured Florida’s economy remained open for business, and allowed individuals to determine their own risk tolerance,” Bush wrote. “His approach works. It’s one that has allowed Florida to emerge from the pandemic as a national model of personal freedom, economic growth, environmental protection, and education excellence.”
Despite relentless backlash and criticism from many Democrat leaders over Covid, most Floridians approved DeSantis’ handling of the pandemic.
“Governor DeSantis is benefitting from a strong economy and a lack of COVID cases in the state over the past few months,” Saint Leo University Polling Institute Director Frank Orlando said. “While he gets lots of national attention for provoking the ire of liberals on things like masking, it doesn’t seem to hurt him in Florida, and in fact continues to raise his national profile.”
Due to DeSantis’ extraordinary leadership, the state economy has boomed, with Florida reserves reported at $20 billion for the current fiscal year, job growth for 24 consecutive months, and the state has maintained unemployment below the national rate for 17 months.
The governor also recently signed the largest tax relief package in state history.
Florida thrives under the bold headship of DeSantis, and it appears New Yorkers are ready to experience Florida’s growing success.
