TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave state workers a Christmas present on Tuesday: additional paid time off.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that state offices will remain closed to the state’s approximately 165,000 employees on December 23, 24 and 31.

This is in addition to the Christmas and New Year closures.

“Florida is in great shape and we want to reward our state workers,” DeSantis said in a statement. “After a full year – including three costly hurricanes – we hope these additional days off will allow state employees to spend more time with their families and loved ones this holiday season.”

There are normally nine holidays recognized for government employees: New Year. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Last month, he also gave his employees the day off before Thanksgiving.

The four additional days off this year during the holidays match the number DeSantis gave employees last year.

He also created a four-day weekend for Independence Day.