High prices? Here’s why Florida Gov. DeSantis says gas tax cuts are a no-go

BRADENTON, Fla. – Anyone who’s stopped by a gas station over the past month has likely noticed skyrocketing prices at the pump.

For example, an average gallon of gas in Florida on Monday showed hit $4.02, though that’s still lower than it’s been throughout much of April.

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

[RELATED: Brevard County considers raising gas tax]

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’s gas tax — a move pitched by House Democrats.

While it would take an act of the Legislature to accomplish, DeSantis said it probably won’t happen this time around.

NO GAS TAX CUTS?

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

“Our ability to influence the fuel prices are really marginal at best...” he explained. “Sometimes, the price just gets raised so the consumer doesn’t see any difference.”

DeSantis referred to an act in 2022 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.

[A LOOK BACK: Florida gas prices rise again as 2022 tax holiday ends]

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.

Right now, the state tax rate on motor fuel sits at 22 cents per gallon, but DeSantis said that it’s an issue better handled by private markets and the federal government.

“My answer is just get the cost down internationally, and that means having stable energy markets, making sure we’re doing everything to get our stuff to market, but I don’t know that there’s going to be any simple fix for what we’re doing,” he continued.

[BELOW: DeSantis weighs in on latest Florida tax ranking]

But during that same conference, DeSantis said that homeowners may still see property tax relief, even after the latest proposal stalled in the Senate.

PROPERTY TAX CUTS?

“For me, in terms of helping people address the cost of living, I’ve said it’s property taxes,” DeSantis stated. “That’s the best thing we can do, that we can actually control and deliver big relief to people.”

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

“This is kind of a rolling process, the way they’re doing it this year, right? I mean, we’re still going to be doing a lot,” he continued. “There’s going to be bites at the apple for a lot of different issues over the next six weeks — and maybe even beyond that."

Either way, Florida lawmakers will have to stay in Tallahassee, as the budget is still not ready — something that is constitutionally required.

“We’ll see what happens on a whole host of things. But I would just say, ‘Stay tuned,’” DeSantis finished. “And don’t let anyone tell you somehow we’re not doing the property tax. We’re going to be robust.”

[BELOW: Florida gets permanent tax exemptions on these big items]

HOW WOULD PROPERTY TAX CUTS BE DONE?

Because property taxes are a local issue, it would take an amendment to the state’s constitution for Florida lawmakers to actually cut them statewide.

This means that 60% of Florida voters would have to approve such an amendment.

Back in January, DeSantis proposed on Fox & Friends how property taxes could be most effectively introduced.

• State Fund Replacements: Excess state funding could be used to help offset any losses from property tax cuts.
• Homesteads Only: Any property tax cuts would only be for primary homesteads, which aren’t the biggest source of property tax revenue.
• Exposing Local “Waste”: The governor’s DOGE audit task force has been uncovering “waste, fraud and abuse” in local government spending across the state to pressure local governments into reducing their budgets.

[BELOW: Waffle House bans Florida governor candidate from all restaurants in the state]