Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected Democratic calls to suspend Florida’s gas tax as prices approach $4 per gallon statewide, saying there is no simple fix the state could enact. Speaking at PIER 22 in Bradenton, DeSantis said the solution to rising fuel costs is a federal issue that requires stable international energy markets. An average gallon of gas in Florida reached $3.95, according to AAA, representing a dramatic increase from $2.89 on Feb. 28.
“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,” DeSantis said. “But I don’t know that there’s going to be any simple fix.” The price surge coincided with U.S. and Israeli attacks targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and senior leadership, with the national average jumping from $2.98 to $3.88 during the same period.
Democrats in the state Legislature have pressed the governor to temporarily lift Florida’s 23.5-cent per gallon tax on gas as relief for residents facing higher costs. Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman of Boca Raton criticized the state’s inaction on affordability issues. “In the last 60 days, we haven’t done anything to address Florida’s affordability crisis,” Berman said in a release. “We’re sitting on billions of dollars in reserves; the least we can do for Floridians during this time of economic crisis and war is provide relief at the gas pumps.”
Gas prices have hit particularly hard in certain Florida regions, with averages exceeding $4 per gallon in parts of South Florida and the Big Bend region. Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys, recorded the highest average price at $4.17 per gallon. Prior to the Iran conflict, Florida’s average had remained relatively stable around $2.85 per gallon since December.
DeSantis noted that the Legislature will return in mid-April to address the budget, which will include a tax relief package. The governor maintained support for putting a constitutional amendment before voters in November to address affordability issues desired by Floridians, though he did not specify details of the proposed amendment during his Bradenton appearance.