Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis touts property tax reform in “a fireside chat,” and signs bill that restores AIDS Drug Assistance Program for thousands, for now.


DeSantis pushes property tax reform in ‘fireside chat’

On the day after Florida Democrats flipped two seats in the special election, Gov. Ron DeSantis sat down for what he called ‘a fireside chat’ with former Senator George Lemieux in West Palm Beach.  

The governor discussed plans for property tax reform, an issue on which he has yet to call a special session to address. 

“What we want to do is the homesteaded property. We would likely start at the bottom and then phase it in, raising the exclusion until you get to elimination,” DeSantis said. “While you’re doing that, and I have also said I am willing to provide funding for grants for the local governments to ease the transition. Now they are going to have to reduce some of their spending. 

“I’m sorry we cannot say $60 billion from $32 billion in seven years that should just be unquestioned because that’s wrong, and we have done DOGE audits to show. But if we don’t do anything on property tax, another four or five years, they (county and municipal governments) are going to be taking in $83 billion. That’s our estimate. Well, do you go from $32 (billion) to $83 billion in over 13 years, or would you rather have this property tax exclusion for homestead? I think most people would rather do that.”

The governor acknowledged that getting property tax reform on the ballot is not a slam dunk and that even some Republicans are resistant to approving it.

“Personally, I think a lot of these guys don’t really want to do anything on it, or some of them, maybe I should say,” DeSantis said. “But here’s the thing, I don’t think you can be a Republican and not put something on the ballot and then face voters this year.”

DeSantis didn’t comment on Democrats flipping two seats in the Florida Legislature, but he did say that the political climate is going to be tough for Republicans in the midterms.

DeSantis signs bill that helps sustain ADAP in Florida, for now

Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed HB 697, legislation on drug prices and coverage that includes an amendment designed to sustain Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, also known as ADAP.

The program’s future is in limbo after the Florida Department of Health slashed eligibility, citing rising costs and a $120 million budget deficit.

The bill is only a quick fix, and it’s meant to buy Floridians time, through June, while lawmakers craft a new state budget that might or might not address those eligibility issues.

The bill’s approval came after bipartisan calls to support — at least temporarily — HIV positive residents who rely on ADAP to get medication.

“A budget problem does not justify creating this public health crisis,” said state Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens). “Because here’s the thing. You either pay for it on the front end, or are you going to pay more for it on the back end?”

In March, the Florida Department of Health lowered the income threshold from about $62,000 per year to less than $21,000 per year.

Then lawmakers intervened.

“It’s not great, but this is a pretty big deal for us to be able to be as nimble as we have been as a Legislature as quickly as we have been to be able to close this gap,” said state Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary).

The bill is estimated to restore eligibility to more than 12,000 Floridians.

HIV medications could cost people like activist Michael Rajner more than $4,000 per month.

“The stress this is causing for many of us living with HIV right now is indescribable,” said Rajner. “The fear, the panic of not knowing where to turn to.”

The House and Senate still must agree on funding again in April when budget talks resume.