DeSantis announces new tax relief plan, downplays migrant flights in Bradenton visit
Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurant in Bradenton on Tuesday afternoon to announce a proposal for new tax relief initiatives for Florida residents.
Speaking to a crowd of about 70 people — several of them wearing GOP merchandise — DeSantis said he plans to direct the Florida Legislature to remove sales tax from everyday items for Florida families, such as diapers, strollers and pet food.
“This is really, really good to say in the state of Florida, we respect you as taxpayers and we’re going to work to lessen the burden on you. We’re going to make sure we run our ship in a really tight fashion,” DeSantis said.
The tax relief plan, which DeSantis estimates will save Florida residents $1.1 billion next year, comes less than two months before DeSantis seeks re-election in November. The governor also has recently come under fire for paying to transport nearly 50 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
In his speech, the father of three said he wished similar tax relief had been in place when his kids were born. DeSantis said the tax relief, which would take effect in 2023 if approved by the Florida Legislature, is an attempt to lessen the impact of inflation.
“As bad as the inflation has been, as much as energy has cost people, the Fed is keeping to raise interest rates and that, I think, is going to continue to put a drag on the economy. In Florida, we’ll do better than the average state because we’ve got a lot of stuff going on, but you can’t be immune to this. We’re a national economy, as well,” DeSantis explained. “I’m concerned about some of the turmoil that’s yet to come.”
DeSantis was joined by Dane Eagle, secretary of the state Department of Economic Opportunity. Eagle also highlighted the fact that Florida’s 2.7% unemployment rate is better than the 3.7% national average, according to the latest jobs report.
“This is an exciting announcement this morning. Our job at the (Department of Economic Opportunity) is to assist the governor with advancing the economy and the truth of the matter is Florida is outperforming the nation in almost every measure,” Eagle said.
What is included in Florida’s proposed 2023 tax relief plan?
The governor’s tax relief proposal includes permanent tax exemptions for the following items:
- Baby and toddler necessities, such as diapers, baby wipes, clothing and shoes for children below the age of 5.
- Cribs and strollers
- Items that contain medicinal ingredients and medical equipment
- Over-the-counter pet medication, such as tick and flea prevention for cats and dogs.
One-year tax exemptions were also announced for:
- Household items that cost less than $25, including hand soap, trash bags, toilet paper, laundry detergent and paper towels.
- Books for children below the age of 17.
- Toys for children between the ages of 2 and 12.
- Athletic equipment for children, such as bikes, baseballs, soccer balls, footballs and more.
- Food for household pets
In addition to those tax relief benefits, DeSantis said he aims to schedule more tax-free holidays in the fall and the spring. The governor also recently announced toll savings for frequent commuters.
Locals react to DeSantis tax relief plans
DeSantis’ tax relief announcement was met with support from audience members and other local residents reached for comment by the Bradenton Herald.
“I think it’s phenomenal. Now there’s an incentive to help me keep going,” said Desiree Cordova, a Bradenton resident who attended the governor’s speech. “This can help me with the real things that I see on my credit card or my debit card. Like, ‘Thank goodness, this will be $40, instead of $20.’”
Ashley Louda, owner of the Gypsea Soul Boutique in downtown Bradenton, said she looked forward to the tax relief plan going into effect next year.
“Everything helps when people are struggling. This is a great thing. It makes sense to me,” Louda said.
A finance professor at USF Sarasota-Manatee also weighed in on the announcement. Eddie Sanchez, who has experience studying financial markets, predicted that the tax relief plan would be a great help to Florida families.
“Any tax break that can be passed on, especially to middle-income taxpayers, would be beneficial,” Sanchez said.
DeSantis pushes back on migrant flight criticism
The governor has recently made national headlines over his administration’s decision to take credit for flying nearly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. A Texas sheriff has opened an investigation into the flights, saying the migrants were “lured under false pretenses.”
The Venezuelan migrants, who qualified for legal status in the U.S. because they are seeking asylum, were recruited by a woman named “Perla,” who promised jobs and other financial assistance would be available in Massachusetts.
However, local officials in Martha’s Vineyard received no prior warning about the migrants’ arrival.
Despite originating in Texas, Florida officials paid for the flights as part of a $12 million program that the Florida Legislature approved “to facilitate the transport of unauthorized aliens from this state.”
DeSantis has previously denied that the migrants were misled into being taken to Martha’s Vineyard. He argued that the flights were voluntary and that migrants had signed a release form included in a packet.
The governor doubled down on those claims Tuesday, shifting the blame to President Joe Biden’s administration.
“It was voluntary,” DeSantis said. “It’s our view that, one, the border should be secured and that Biden should reinstate policies like ‘Remain in Mexico,’ and making sure that people aren’t overwhelming,” DeSantis said. “But short of that, if you believe in open borders, then it’s sanctuary jurisdictions that should have to bear the brunt of the open borders. So that’s what we’re doing.”
Bradenton Herald reporter James A. Jones contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 20, 2022 at 3:02 PM with the headline "DeSantis announces new tax relief plan, downplays migrant flights in Bradenton visit."
