New state line sign welcomes drivers to "free state of Florida"

Drivers crossing Florida's state line will now be welcomed to "the free state of Florida."

State of play: That's according to state Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, who on Saturday shared a photo of a sign.

• "No better way to celebrate Independence Day Weekend," Perdue wrote on X , formerly Twitter.

Yes, and: Drivers leaving the state will pass a sign that reads, "Hurry back to the free state of Florida," the Tallahassee Democrat reported .

Between the lines: The phrasing likely comes from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who once referred to Florida as the "freest state in these United States."

• The word "freedom" shows up in many of his state initiatives, from last year's " Framework for Freedom " budget proposal to this year's "Freedom Summer" that banned rainbow light displays on state bridges during Pride Month.

The other side: Critics argue that DeSantis has made Florida less free for many, by restricting abortion access , LGBTQ+ expression , and more.

• He has supported limits on transgender medical care , classroom instruction and books on LGBTQ+ issues , courses in African American history and psychology , and lab-grown meat .