(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is using what former President Theodore Roosevelt called the “bully pulpit” in his battle with the Republican-majority state House of Representatives over tax policy and other issues.

At a news conference in Panama City, DeSantis used “boater freedom” legislation as one of several examples of what he called “obstructionism” in the House and accused the lower chamber of being run by law firm Morgan & Morgan despite having a Republican supermajority.

The biggest flashpoint between House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and DeSantis is over tax policy. Perez wants to cut the state’s sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, which he and other House officials say would be a revenue loss of $5 billion. House Bill 7031, a committee bill from the House Ways & Means Committee, could be up for a vote on the calendar as soon as Wednesday after sailing through the committee process. 

DeSantis accused the House of wanting to give tax relief to “Canadian tourists” and other nonresidents via the sales tax cut. Instead, the second-term governor wants property tax cuts via a one-time $1,000 tax rebate (likely cost of $5.1 billion) and get a ballot initiative to provide permanent tax relief to homeowners. 

Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said in a letter that he is seeking a compromise between the two plans. 

After years of being able to get his bills passed in the Legislature, DeSantis’ relationship with the House leadership started to sour before the session started.

DeSantis called a special session to deal with immigration enforcement in January and had several proposals he wanted lawmakers to pass.

Lawmakers in both chambers convened in obedience to DeSantis’ proclamation, gaveled out and then did one of their own. It took the two sides weeks to work out a compromise, come back for a third special session and pass legislation that was acceptable to DeSantis. 

The House also took a jab at DeSantis last month, saying in a news release announcing their budget proposal, which they say will be $6 billion less than last year’s, will represent a $2.7 billion cut from what DeSantis seeks.

DeSantis also assailed the rise of Rep. Hillary Cassel, who switched from the Democratic Party to the Republicans, and who the governor said she was a “woke liberal.” The Broward County attorney is now the vice chairwoman of the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee and has drawn fire from former House Speaker Paul Renner for her work on two bills, HB1551, and HB947, that the governor and others say could undo tort reforms.

HB1551, sponsored by Cassel, would allow courts to award attorney fees to prevailing parties in civil actions brought against surplus lines insurers and insurers. An analysis of Cassel’s bill says it “may have a fiscal impact on the state court system. The bill may also have an economic impact on the private sector.”

HB947 would allow “evidence that is admissible to demonstrate past and future medical expenses in personal injury & wrongful death actions,” according to the bill summary. According to the latest analysis by the Legislature, HB947 would “increase the recovery of a plaintiff in certain cases where the value of medical treatment is at issue. The bill may have a negative fiscal impact on defendants in such cases.”

“Just two years ago, the Florida Legislature ended sham litigation practices that made billboard lawyers rich at our expense,” Renner said in a social media post. “Auto insurance premiums are now going down for the first time in memory, saving Florida drivers millions. Billboard lawyers want those savings back in their pockets, and a vote today in the Florida House (HB 947) will give them exactly what they want.

“Very simply, a vote for this bill is a total giveaway to personal injury lawyers and will cost every Floridian money. This defining vote should be an easy ‘NO’ for Republican members who supported our 2023 reforms and new members who want to take a principled stand for their constituents. Our reforms are working, and we must stay the course.”

HB947 was taken off the special order calendar on Thursday and recommitted to the Judiciary Committee, which is also considering HB1551.