On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he would propose a gas tax holiday for Florida residents, a proposal he says would save more than $1 billion.
DeSantis made the announcement during stops at Buc-ee’s in Daytona Beach and Daily’s in Jacksonville. He slated the proposal to be taken up in the upcoming legislative session in Florida, which starts on Jan. 11, 2022.
“Gas prices have been rising due to inflationary pressures from bad federal policies, so we here in Florida need to step up and provide relief to our citizens,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I am proposing that during session, the Florida Legislature provide more than $1 billion in gas tax relief for Florida families. This will have a positive impact on millions of Floridians.”
DeSantis’ proposal would temporarily eliminate approximately 25-cent-a-gallon in taxes. The proposal would reduce state revenue by more than $1 billion. Still, DeSantis said the state has financial reserves because of federal COVID-19 stimulus money, so he did not anticipate the revenue reduction would hurt the state’s road program.
“We’re doing infrastructure, not just roads, including roads, also the water resources, all that,” DeSantis said during his stop at Buc-ee’s. “We probably have never had such strong reserves in the history of the state. So, we have the ability to provide relief for people, and I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat.”
State Transportation Secretary said the proposal was a move that would help state residents.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s economy continues to move in the right direction,” said FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. “Florida’s sound fiscal policies allow the state to pass relief along to consumers who continue to suffer from the impact of inflation and we will continue to do everything we can to alleviate the burden on all Florida families.”