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Florida Senate President urges ‘all of the above’ tax cut approach | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-01 11:48:00

(The Center Square) — Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, weighed in on the tax relief debate, saying in a letter to the Senate that he favors an “all of the above” approach.

The letter comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, have unveiled competing tax cut proposals in recent days. 

DeSantis unveiled his plan on Monday that would spend $5.1 billion to give the 5.1 million homesteaded properties a one-time, $1,000 rebate. The second-term Republican governor also wants an initiative placed on the 2026 ballot that would provide permanent relief for Florida homeowners.

According to a report by the Florida Policy Institute, property taxes account for $43 billion in revenue annually and 50% to 60% of school district budgets.         

Perez’s plan would permanently cut the state’s sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. In fiscal year 2024, sales tax collections totaled nearly $41.2 billion. 

DeSantis said he would prefer property tax reform because it would help Floridians, not visiting tourists. 

Albritton wants to find a middle ground between the two competing proposals. 

“I applaud Governor DeSantis for pursuing an innovative concept, and I like the idea of being able to provide some immediate relief to homesteaded property owners in advance of a more comprehensive effort to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters to consider,” Albritton said on Monday. “I like that the House’s proposal is broad-based and would provide immediate relief for Floridians who rent, as well as those who own property. These are both significant ideas, worthy of our thought and consideration.

“However, at this point, I believe it is prudent that a final tax cut package of this size be predominantly nonrecurring, while permanent tax cuts are explored during the interim.”

Albritton also said that he doesn’t want to cut taxes now and have to raise them in a few years due to a budget shortfall. 

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Jimmy Patronis’ first speech as Florida Congressman | Full speech

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www.youtube.com – FOX 35 Orlando – 2025-04-02 18:03:14

SUMMARY: In his first speech to Congress, Representative Jimmy Patronis expressed gratitude for being elected to serve Florida’s 1st Congressional District. A lifelong Florida Panhandle native and former state CFO, he pledged to support President Trump’s agenda, including border security, economic growth, military strength, and veterans’ care. He emphasized fiscal responsibility, criticizing Washington’s overspending and national debt. Patronis thanked his family and supporters and committed to being a “workhorse, not a showhorse.” With Republicans in control and Trump in the White House, he said there’s a rare chance to restore trust, reduce waste, and build a safer, more prosperous America.

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Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (District 1) gives his first remarks on the floor of the U.S. House, moments after he was sworn-in as an official member of Congress. Patronis defeated Gay Valimont in Tuesday’s special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Matt Gaetz.

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Federal judge questions whether EPA move to rapidly cancel ‘green bank’ grants was legal

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www.news4jax.com – Michael Phillis, Associated Press – 2025-04-02 16:15:00

SUMMARY: A federal judge questioned whether the EPA violated the law by terminating $20 billion in grants to nonprofits for a green bank, accusing the agency of bypassing proper procedures and raising unfounded claims of fraud. The nonprofits, including Climate United Fund, sued the EPA after it froze the funds, arguing it hindered their operations. Judge Tanya Chutkan noted the lack of substantial evidence for the EPA’s actions. The government defends its decision as a legitimate response to oversight concerns and policy shifts, but the nonprofits contend the EPA’s actions were unlawful and politically motivated.

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DeSantis says 7,800 officers have taken state recruitment bonuses | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-02 12:33:00

(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Wednesday that 7,800 law enforcement officers have taken advantage of the state’s recruitment bonus program since its launch in 2022.

The two-term Republican governor made the remarks at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala in central Florida, where the latest round of bonuses were disbursed. According to state officials, 660 bonuses have been provided to law enforcement recruits statewide. 

“The recruitment bonuses that my deputies will receive aren’t just a check, but a statement,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said at the news conference. “It tells the men and women in uniform that their choice to serve and protect matters. That commitment and sacrifice are seen and valued by the highest leadership in this state.”

Woods also said he’s sent a recruiter to New York to hire new deputies with the bonuses providing a powerful incentive. 

“I had him plant a flag right there, on their front door steps and said ‘hire them as they walk out the door,'” Woods said. 

The $53 million program provides a one-time, $5,000 bonus after taxes to newly employed officers that choose to practice law enforcement in Florida. According to state officials, 1,700 officers from 49 states and two territories have relocated to the Sunshine State. Five hundred of them have come from California, Illinois and New York, states that DeSantis said are “anti-police.”

“We’re a law and order state, we’re going to support law enforcement people that wear the uniform,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to make sure our laws are enforced and we’re never going to let the inmates run the asylum in the state.

“But you have the backdrop for a number of years recently where other states and cities around the country were doing the opposite, they were blaming law enforcement, treating them poorly with lax laws that benefited repeat offenders. you saw their cities decay as a result of this. Prosecutors wouldn’t prosecute crimes and that’s created a situation that’s intolerable to a lot of people.”

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