Based on Florida’s constitutional term limits, I just ended my tenure as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, during which we balanced our budget, set aside record reserves, retired state debt ahead of schedule, and earned an AAA credit rating. You could say we were DOGE before DOGE became cool. And while we sent Governor DeSantis fiscally responsible budgets, the governor exercised his constitutional authority to make line-item vetoes, saving taxpayers even more. You might conclude that Florida budgets are all austerity, but because we avoided funding every “good” idea, we could still invest record amounts on true government priorities like public safety, infrastructure, education, and the environment. This included pay raises for teachers and law enforcement; protecting water supply and water quality; enhancing our roads, ports and airports; restoring the Everglades; and setting aside millions of acres of wilderness for future generations. I call this successful form of governance The Florida Way, and it should be the governance model for the 2025 Congress.
While strong leadership is key to Florida’s success, we also greatly benefit from three constitutional safeguards referenced in that first paragraph: a balanced budget requirement, the governor’s line-item veto authority, and term limits. Congress should propose the same amendments to the states for ratification into the U.S. Constitution. These proposed amendments should be sent to the states in the first 100 days, while Congress works on other immediate priorities: securing the border, unleashing our energy resources, creating prosperity and more American jobs while taming inflation, and ending the censorship and weaponization of government against political opponents.
We greatly benefit from three constitutional safeguards: a balanced budget requirement, the governor’s line-item veto authority, and term limits.
Having observed Florida’s budget process, I can assure you that legislators of both parties like to spend money on their priorities. Without a constitutionally required balanced budget, I doubt Florida would have one of the lowest levels of spending per capita among the states. The same is true in our nation’s capital. Every year our national debt grows higher and higher. There is no reason to believe that either party will get serious about overspending without a balanced budget requirement. Such a requirement will force Congress to prioritize spending, which is the first step to bring down the national debt. If we fail, we can expect a collapse of the U.S. dollar, setting off hyperinflation and structurally high interest rates that would destroy Americans’ standard of living. Failure is not an option. A constitutionally required balanced budget is a necessary part of the solution.
While we delivered fiscally responsible budgets to the governor, unnecessary spending inevitably creeps into the budgeting process. Members must accept their colleagues’ spending priorities to get the votes needed to pass the budget. Therefore, it is wise to allow the chief executive a line-item veto to eliminate this budget fat. Given the runaway spending by Congress, President Trump and his successors should have the same constitutional authority to issue line-item vetoes and eliminate billions in wasteful spending.
Given the runaway spending by Congress, President Trump and his successors should have the same constitutional authority to issue line-item vetoes and eliminate billions in wasteful spending.
Finally, Americans should have the opportunity to impose term limits on members of Congress, as already exists in Florida and many other states. Florida’s term limits gave me a sense of urgency to make the most of every legislative session. We want to elect talented people, allow them to serve the public for a time, and then return home. While the Founding Fathers did not place term limits in the Constitution in 1787, I believe they had this concept in mind and never imagined politics would become a lifelong career for so many. Term limits for Congress will reduce corruption and make way for fresh ideas from men and women determined to get things done.
Americans across the political spectrum view Washington, DC as dysfunctional. The 2024 election is a generational opportunity for Congress to come to life and put our country on the right track. Congress can restore confidence in the federal government by sending to the states amendments for a balanced budget, a presidential line-item veto, and term limits.
Just as these constitutional amendments have benefitted Florida, placing these guardrails into the U.S. Constitution will position our country to return to its full potential and restore confidence in a broken Congress.
Paul Renner, most recent Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, is a U.S. Navy veteran, former prosecutor, and business attorney. He was elected to the Florida House in 2015 and served as Speaker during the 2022-2024 legislative term. Renner lives in Palm Coast, Florida, with his wife and two children.