{"id":233984,"date":"2026-04-16T09:19:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/233984\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T09:19:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:19:09","slug":"high-prices-heres-why-florida-gov-desantis-says-gas-tax-cuts-are-a-no-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/233984\/","title":{"rendered":"High prices? Here\u2019s why Florida Gov. DeSantis says gas tax cuts are a no-go"},"content":{"rendered":"

BRADENTON, Fla. \u2013 Anyone who\u2019s stopped by a gas station over the past month has likely noticed skyrocketing prices at the pump<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For example, an average gallon of gas in Florida on Monday showed hit $4.02, though that\u2019s still lower than it\u2019s been throughout much of April.<\/p>\n

And with gas prices expected to rise again<\/a> with the Strait of Hormuz blockage, some residents may be wondering: is there anything that the state can do to alleviate these costs?<\/p>\n

[RELATED: Brevard County considers raising gas tax]<\/p>\n

Gov. Ron DeSantis was posed that same question during a news conference last month, when he was asked about the possibility of suspending the state\u2019s gas tax \u2014 a move pitched by House Democrats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While it would take an act of the Legislature to accomplish, DeSantis said it probably won\u2019t happen this time around.<\/p>\n

NO GAS TAX CUTS?<\/p>\n

Per DeSantis, cutting out the gas tax may not make much of a difference, even if legislators did get it off the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur ability to influence the fuel prices are really marginal at best…\u201d he explained. \u201cSometimes, the price just gets raised so the consumer doesn\u2019t see any difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeSantis referred to an act in 2022<\/a> that reduced the tax rate on motor fuel by just over 25 cents per gallon. The cut lasted one month and applied to all gasoline products.<\/p>\n

[A LOOK BACK: Florida gas prices rise again as 2022 tax holiday ends]<\/p>\n

Unlike sales tax, the state gas tax is assessed on gallons when product is imported into Florida. As such, these taxes commonly get passed down the supply chain to consumers at the pump.<\/p>\n

Right now, the state tax rate on motor fuel sits at 22 cents per gallon<\/a>, but DeSantis said that it\u2019s an issue better handled by private markets and the federal government.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy answer is just get the cost down internationally, and that means having stable energy markets, making sure we\u2019re doing everything to get our stuff to market, but I don\u2019t know that there\u2019s going to be any simple fix for what we\u2019re doing,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: DeSantis weighs in on latest Florida tax ranking]<\/p>\n

But during that same conference, DeSantis said that homeowners may still see property tax relief, even after the latest proposal stalled in the Senate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

PROPERTY TAX CUTS?<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, in terms of helping people address the cost of living, I\u2019ve said it\u2019s property taxes,\u201d DeSantis stated. \u201cThat\u2019s the best thing we can do, that we can actually control and deliver big relief to people.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeSantis, who has been a vocal proponent of property tax cuts, is planning a special session on redistricting for later this month<\/a>. Property taxes could be added to that session.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is kind of a rolling process, the way they\u2019re doing it this year, right? I mean, we\u2019re still going to be doing a lot,\u201d he continued. \u201cThere\u2019s going to be bites at the apple for a lot of different issues over the next six weeks \u2014 and maybe even beyond that.”<\/p>\n

Regarding a property tax proposal for the 2026 ballot: we\u2019ve been working with members of the Senate who have been great partners.<\/p>\n

Given that it can\u2019t be voted on by the people before November, it\u2019s better to do it right than do it quick!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) February 19, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Either way, Florida lawmakers will have to stay in Tallahassee, as the budget is still not ready \u2014 something that is constitutionally required.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens on a whole host of things. But I would just say, \u2018Stay tuned,\u2019\u201d DeSantis finished. \u201cAnd don\u2019t let anyone tell you somehow we\u2019re not doing the property tax. We\u2019re going to be robust.\u201d <\/p>\n

[BELOW: Florida gets permanent tax exemptions on these big items]<\/p>\n

HOW WOULD PROPERTY TAX CUTS BE DONE?<\/p>\n

Because property taxes are a local issue, it would take an amendment to the state\u2019s constitution for Florida lawmakers to actually cut them statewide.<\/p>\n

This means that 60% of Florida voters would have to approve such an amendment.<\/p>\n

Back in January, DeSantis proposed on Fox & Friends<\/a> how property taxes could be most effectively introduced.<\/p>\n

State Fund Replacements: Excess state funding could be used to help offset any losses from property tax cuts.<\/p>\n

Homesteads Only: Any property tax cuts would only be for primary homesteads, which aren\u2019t the biggest source of property tax revenue.<\/p>\n

Exposing Local \u201cWaste\u201d: The governor\u2019s DOGE audit task force has been uncovering \u201cwaste, fraud and abuse\u201d in local government spending across the state to pressure local governments into reducing their budgets.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: Waffle House bans Florida governor candidate from all restaurants in the state]<\/p>\n

Breaking News Alerts<\/p>\n

Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n