The Rubin Report

Episode: The Simple Rules to Fight Crime Blue Cities Choose to Ignore | Jay Collins
Date: September 27, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Guest: Jay Collins, Lieutenant Governor of Florida

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Rubin sits down with Jay Collins, the Lieutenant Governor of Florida, for a candid discussion on Florida’s emergency evacuations from war zones, his remarkable personal story as a wounded Green Beret, the state’s conservative surge under Governor Ron DeSantis, the push for property tax reform, effective policing, immigration, and the future of Florida politics. The conversation highlights Florida's "doer" mentality, focusing on real leadership, practical governance, and exporting successful policies to the nation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jay Collins’ Background and Military Journey

[03:05–06:30]

• Jay Collins shares his compelling life story: born in Montana to a young mother battling addiction, adopted by his grandparents, and ultimately embarking on a military career.
  • "When people say somebody can’t make a difference…my grandma and grandpa made a heck of a difference for me. They gave me a life, they gave me a future." — Jay Collins [03:13]
• Describes his experience during September 11, subsequent deployments, sustaining severe injuries, and amputation of his leg.
• Remarkable anecdote: Requalification as a Green Beret with a prosthetic, shifting Army policy to allow amputees in elite service roles.
  • "Anything of value has to be earned, not given." — Jay Collins [05:03]

2. Rescuing Floridians from War Zones

[06:30–10:00]

• Discusses leading Florida’s mission to evacuate residents (and Americans) from Israel during the Iran-Israel war, and similar rescue operations.
• Details the logistical challenges—chartering planes, crossing borders, navigating rockets and hazards on the ground.
• Emphasizes the importance of leadership that truly cares:
  • "Imagine where those people would have been. Imagine how you would have felt if Governor DeSantis didn’t have the courage…bring our people back." — Jay Collins [08:16]

3. Why Florida “Gets It Right”

[11:18–14:09]

• Collins attributes Florida’s success to moral clarity, decisive leadership (especially Gov. DeSantis' pandemic response), and a willingness to stand alone against national headwinds.
• Identifies Florida as the "conservative proving grounds of America," passing legislation on education, parents' rights, China policy, and religious freedom.

4. Maintaining Success & Property Tax Reform

[14:09–17:22]

• Florida’s proactive stance on immigration, policing, and economic opportunity is discussed.
  • "Property tax is the American dream. We want to own our home…and if you really pay rent and the government can take your home, the fact is you don’t own it." — Jay Collins [15:11]
• Collins advocates abolishing property tax for homesteads, emphasizing legislative hurdles and the need for supermajority-driven action.

5. Pushback and Fiscal Realignment

[17:22–18:57]

• Collins reveals that the primary opposition to property tax reform comes from municipalities and entrenched interests, not feasibility.
  • "There's a lot of fat that can be trimmed from some of these…city budgets…This is the United States of America. This is Florida. We do hard things." — Jay Collins [17:52]

6. Policing, Crime, and Law Enforcement Innovation

[18:57–23:03]

• Discusses Florida’s low crime rates, tough stance against riots and shoplifting, and practical support for law enforcement (including recruiting NYPD veterans).
• Focuses on future challenges: cybercrime, drone threats, and continual training.
  • "Time, tools, training. But we often forget our cops…have families too…They deserve…to do their job, but they gotta get home to their families." — Jay Collins [21:07]

7. Conservative Migration and Demographics

[23:03–24:56]

• Discussion on the influx of political or economic “refugees” from blue states and their voting patterns.
• Florida is viewed as the “last bastion” of American conservatism; Collins highlights a measurable rightward shift in places like Hillsborough County.

8. Exporting the Florida Model

[24:56–27:14]

• Colleagues from other states express envy at Florida’s legislative achievements.
• Collins calls for continued focus on deeds, not words, and acknowledges challenges in recent legislative sessions.

9. Hurricanes, Insurance, and Tort Reform

[29:20–32:41]

• Addresses the insurance crisis—how tort reform is starting to pay off, with more insurers returning and rates stabilizing after Florida had the highest litigated claims in America.
  • "Tort reform work that we did is working. Insurance companies are coming back, rates are stabilizing." — Jay Collins [30:27]
• Warns that reversing these reforms would be disastrous.

10. Jay Collins’ Political Future

[32:41–36:11]

• Pressed by Dave Rubin about running for governor: Collins confirms he is seriously considering it, emphasizing family support, community encouragement, and a mission-driven mentality.
  • "It’s not a me thing, it’s a we thing…We want people willing to step in and step up to step into that breach because they understand what matters." — Jay Collins [34:45]
• Vows to notify Rubin personally if and when he decides to enter the race.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Anything of value has to be earned, not given.” — Jay Collins [05:03]
• "If you want to steal $999, it won’t even stop you…I mean, what kind of lunacy is that?" — Jay Collins [20:17]
• "It’s deeds, not words that matter. And our people expect that." — Jay Collins [26:18]
• "There's a lot of fat that can be trimmed from some of these…city budgets…This is the United States of America. This is Florida. We do hard things." — Jay Collins [17:52]
• "Tort reform work that we did is working. Insurance companies are coming back, rates are stabilizing." — Jay Collins [30:27]
• "We want people who understand it’s not a me thing, it is a we thing." — Jay Collins [34:46]

Important Timestamps

• Jay Collins’ biography and military story: [03:05–06:30]
• War zone evacuation logistics: [06:30–10:00]
• How Florida “got it right” post-COVID and beyond: [11:18–14:09]
• Property tax reform—vision and challenges: [14:09–18:57]
• Policing, crime, and law enforcement: [18:57–23:03]
• Conservative migration and voting trends: [23:03–24:56]
• Exporting the Florida blueprint: [24:56–27:14]
• Hurricane insurance and tort reform: [29:20–32:41]
• Will Collins run for governor?: [32:41–36:11]

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is candid, energetic, and mission-oriented, with mutual respect and camaraderie between host and guest. Collins’ sense of humor about his military injuries brings levity, while both men show serious concern for leadership, policy, and the future of Florida and America.

For those who haven’t listened, this episode offers a deep dive into both Collins’ remarkable journey and the fundamental philosophies guiding Florida’s recent successes—serving as both a Florida policy primer and a leadership case study.