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CFO Jimmy Patronis: President Trump’s Tax Cuts Make it Possible to Phase Out State Business Tax & Attract More Companies to Florida

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Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis today released the following statement on his office’s continued analysis of President Trump’s tax cuts and how they will make it possible to phase out Florida’s corporate income tax because of expected increased revenue to the state through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “An analysis of President Trump’s tax cut shows that because of the way Florida’s tax code is written, businesses are expected to pay an estimated 13 percent more to the state in taxes over the next 10 years. Some of that increase is because the federal tax law got rid of corporate deductions and expanded the tax base while lowering the overall rate, which means Florida businesses will have higher ‘federal taxable income’ subject to state taxation. That 13 percent equates to an estimated $313 million increase in tax base for the state over 10 years, which paves the way for us to begin phasing out our business tax in Florida.

“One public study on the effects of the Trump tax cut shows that while Florida businesses would pay 13 percent more, our number one competitor for jobs – Texas – would have no similar increase in business taxes. This could put our state at a competitive disadvantage as we try to build off of Governor Scott’s success in making our state a top choice for businesses looking to relocate. We know many businesses are examining the tax climate in Florida and other states right now, as they plan to take advantage of President Trump’s new policy of a one-time tax assessment for companies who return off-shore revenue back to America.

“As businesses pay the state more in taxes, Florida is able to lower our tax rate accordingly. I have asked my staff to develop a plan that would strategically roll back our business tax over the next several years so it can eventually be eliminated, while finding a way to continue to support charter schools that are currently funded from corporate tax scholarships. We must work quickly to cut our business tax and make Florida the most competitive state in the nation for business growth and job creation.”

A copy of the study can be found here.

Gov. Scott Highlights More Than $10 Billion in Tax Cuts Across Florida

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Governor Rick Scott today visited Paradise Exteriors, a family owned, window services company in Boynton Beach, to highlight the more than $10 billion in taxes cut for Florida families and job creators during the governor’s time in office. This includes cutting taxes nearly 100 times, including nearly $550 million in tax cuts during the most recent legislative session. Governor Scott also recognized the overwhelming, bipartisan passage of HJR 7001, which will place an amendment to the Florida Constitution on the November 2018 ballot that will give Floridians the opportunity to vote on making it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees.

The nearly $550 million in tax cuts passed during the 2018 legislative session include:

  • Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $38.5 Million – The tax cut package includes funding for two sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $38.5 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
    • $32.7 million from a 3-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
    • $5.8 million from a one-week disaster preparedness sales tax.
  • Sales Tax Exemptions in Agricultural Materials to Save Farmers $11.6 Million – The tax cut package includes tax relief for Florida’s farmers to help in their continued recovery Hurricane Irma.
    • $8.8 million from a sales tax exemption on nonresidential farm building materials; and
    • $2.8 million from a sales tax exemption on agricultural fencing.
  • Property Tax Hurricane Relief of $10.5 Million for Florida´s Farmers – The bill reduces the 2018 property tax assessment on citrus processing and packing plants, and processing equipment slowed due to citrus greening or Hurricane Irma.
  • Sales Tax on Commercial Rent to Save Florida Small Businesses $31 Million – The tax cut package reduces the rate on business rent tax by 0.1%, from 5.8% to 5.7%.
  • Increase in Corporate Income Tax Credits to Save Businesses $13.5 Million
    • $8.5 million for voluntary brownfields clean-up; and
    • $5 million for community contribution credits.
  • Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $1.8 Million – The bill reduces many traffic citation fines for individuals who attend a driver improvement school.
  • Reduction in Local Business Taxes of $19.1 Million – The bill creates an exemption from applicable local business taxes for businesses owned by veterans and their spouses, non-remarried surviving spouses of such veterans, spouses of certain active duty military servicemembers, and low-income persons who engage in or manage a business, profession, or occupation.
  • Reduction in Property Taxes to Save Florida Families $377 Million – The budget cuts the required local effort property tax rate to save Florida homeowners and business property owners more than $377 million in property taxes.

Amendment to the Florida Constitution:
This year, the Florida Legislature overwhelmingly passed a resolution proposed by Governor Scott that will make it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees. Amendment 5, if approved by 60 percent of Florida voters this year, will require a 2/3 majority of future legislatures to raise any tax or fee.

Gov. Scott Highlights More Than $10 Billion in Tax Cuts Across Florida

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Governor Rick Scott today visited Cox Fire Protection, a small business in Tampa, to highlight the more than $10 billion in taxes cut for Florida families and job creators during the governor’s time in office. This includes cutting taxes nearly 100 times, including nearly $550 million in tax cuts during the most recent legislative session. Governor Scott also recognized the overwhelming, bipartisan passage of HJR 7001, which will place an amendment to the Florida Constitution on the November 2018 ballot that will give Floridians the opportunity to vote on making it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees. The Governor will continue to highlight these tax cuts in Doral, Ft. Myers, West Palm Beach, and Orlando this today and tomorrow.

The nearly $550 million in tax cuts passed during the 2018 legislative session include:

  • Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $38.5 Million – The tax cut package includes funding for two sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $38.5 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
    • $32.7 million from a 3-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
    • $5.8 million from a one-week disaster preparedness sales tax.
  • Sales Tax Exemptions in Agricultural Materials to Save Farmers $11.6 Million – The tax cut package includes tax relief for Florida’s farmers to help in their continued recovery Hurricane Irma.
    • $8.8 million from a sales tax exemption on nonresidential farm building materials; and
    • $2.8 million from a sales tax exemption on agricultural fencing.
  • Property Tax Hurricane Relief of $10.5 Million for Florida´s Farmers – The bill reduces the 2018 property tax assessment on citrus processing and packing plants, and processing equipment slowed due to citrus greening or Hurricane Irma.
  • Sales Tax on Commercial Rent to Save Florida Small Businesses $31 Million – The tax cut package reduces the rate on business rent tax by 0.1%, from 5.8% to 5.7%.
  • Increase in Corporate Income Tax Credits to Save Businesses $13.5 Million
    • $8.5 million for voluntary brownfields clean-up; and
    • $5 million for community contribution credits.
  • Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $1.8 Million – The bill reduces many traffic citation fines for individuals who attend a driver improvement school.
  • Reduction in Local Business Taxes of $19.1 Million – The bill creates an exemption from applicable local business taxes for businesses owned by veterans and their spouses, non-remarried surviving spouses of such veterans, spouses of certain active duty military servicemembers, and low-income persons who engage in or manage a business, profession, or occupation.
  • Reduction in Property Taxes to Save Florida Families $377 Million – The budget cuts the required local effort property tax rate to save Florida homeowners and business property owners more than $377 million in property taxes.

Amendment to the Florida Constitution:
This year, the Florida Legislature overwhelmingly passed a resolution proposed by Governor Scott that will make it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees. Amendment 5, if approved by 60 percent of Florida voters this year, will require a 2/3 majority of future legislatures to raise any tax or fee.

Gov. Scott: Tax Cuts Will Boost Economy and Benefit Florida Citrus

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NAPLES, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott made the following statement regarding the United States House of Representatives passing tax cuts. The Governor is applauding the House for also including Representative Vern Buchanan’s Emergency Citrus Disease Relief Act to help Florida citrus growers.

Governor Scott said, “It is great news that Washington is following Florida’s lead by cutting taxes for families. In Florida, we have cut taxes more than 80 times saving families over $7.5 billion, and today is an important step to return money back to Americans. It is also great news that the U.S. House of Representatives included Congressman Vern Buchanan’s proposal for tax relief for Florida’s citrus growers. Hurricane Irma decimated this iconic Florida industry and I have continued to advocate for months for funding to help Florida’s citrus industry fully recover. I look forward to the Senate’s passage of tax relief.”

Nelson files amendment to make middle-class tax cuts permanent

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) filed an amendment to the GOP’s tax bill today that would make any middle-class tax cuts in the bill permanent, rather than temporary, as they are under the current version of the bill.
The measure, if approved, would require that the Senate to suspend consideration of the current bill and send it back to the Senate Finance Committee to work out a bipartisan compromise on how to provide permanent tax relief for the middle class.
Under the current plan, some in the middle-class would get a tax cut for the first eight years. After that, however, those tax cuts end and families making less than $75,000 per year will actually see their tax bills increases – and forced to pay more than they do now under current law.
“The tax bill before us is not for the middle class,” Nelson said on the Senate floor this evening. “As a matter of fact, this is a big cut for corporations. This is not a cut for you, it’s not a cut for hardworking families.”
“The truth is that the bill treats the corporations much better than regular people,” Nelson continued. “If you make $75,000 or less, you will be hurt by this bill. If you are a small business owner and your taxes are a pass-through, at the individual rate, your taxes are going to be much higher than large multinational corporations. If you buy your insurance in the individual market, that’s health insurance, there’s a good chance that you’re going to lose access to affordable health insurance. And these are the facts. It’s just plain and simple.”
Text of Nelson’s amendment is available here.

Gov. Scott: The Securing Florida’s Future Budget Makes Historic Investments and Cuts Taxes

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Governor Rick Scott visited Northern Tool + Equipment, a supplier of high-quality tools and equipment in Jacksonville, to announce his Securing Florida’s Future budget which proposes $180 million in tax cuts to help Florida families. The Governor’s recommended budget also invests record funding in Florida’s education system, transportation, and environmental protection while continuing to support law enforcement and keep Florida’s economy growing. For more information, visit SecuringFloridasFutureBudget.com.
Governor Scott said, “When I made the decision to run for Governor in 2010, a lot of people doubted that a businessman who had never been in politics could cut taxes and get our state back to work. For years, politicians in Tallahassee had run our economy into the ground through tax increases, frivolous spending and a lack of focus on job creation. I have spent every day since taking office fighting to get Florida on the right track by turning back the harmful policies of past politicians and I am proud of the work we have accomplished to secure Florida’s future by creating an environment where Floridians of all ages have the tools they need to succeed in our state. Today, I am proud to announce my budget which cuts taxes and makes historic investments in education, transportation and Florida’s environment.
“Turning around Florida’s economy would not have been possible without our hard work to cut taxes and encourage business to thrive here in the Sunshine State. Since I took office, I have been proud to work with the Florida Legislature to cut taxes 75 times saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. Together, we have paid down $9 billion in state debt and made government more efficient to save even more taxpayer money. These accomplishments have helped secure future success and prosperity, and have made it possible for more than 1.3 million Floridians to find a job so they can support their families. As we look ahead to the future of Florida, it is important to continue fighting every day to make sure that our children and grandchildren have every opportunity to lead successful lives in the Sunshine State. Our Securing Florida’s Future budget advances Florida’s record of success and represents years of fighting to do what’s right for Florida families and I will keep fighting every day to secure Florida’s future for every Florida family.”
Joe Apolloni, Senior Vice President of Retail at Northern Tool + Equipment, which has 12 locations across Florida and employs nearly 150 Floridians, said, “Northern Tool has seen firsthand how Floridians take action to prepare and recover from a hurricane, and we are proud to serve as a resource for important supplies like generators and water pumps. Providing a tax holiday for these essential products in times of great need will help more people be prepared and stay safe.”
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget highlights.
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget FAQ.
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget complete budget.

Gov. Scott: Securing Florida’s Future Budget Makes Historic Investments and Cuts Taxes

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Governor Rick Scott today visited Northern Tool + Equipment in Jacksonville to announce his Securing Florida’s Future budget which proposes $180 million in tax cuts to help Florida families. The Governor’s recommended budget also invests record funding in Florida’s education system, transportation, and environmental protection while continuing to support law enforcement and keep Florida’s economy growing.
Governor Scott said, “When I made the decision to run for Governor in 2010, a lot of people doubted that a businessman who had never been in politics could cut taxes and get our state back to work. For years, politicians in Tallahassee had run our economy into the ground through tax increases, frivolous spending and a lack of focus on job creation. I have spent every day since taking office fighting to get Florida on the right track by turning back the harmful policies of past politicians and I am proud of the work we have accomplished to secure Florida’s future by creating an environment where Floridians of all ages have the tools they need to succeed in our state. Today, I am proud to announce my budget which cuts taxes and makes historic investments in education, transportation and Florida’s environment.
“Turning around Florida’s economy would not have been possible without our hard work to cut taxes and encourage business to thrive here in the Sunshine State. Since I took office, I have been proud to work with the Florida Legislature to cut taxes 75 times saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. Together, we have paid down $9 billion in state debt and made government more efficient to save even more taxpayer money. These accomplishments have helped secure future success and prosperity, and have made it possible for more than 1.3 million Floridians to find a job so they can support their families. As we look ahead to the future of Florida, it is important to continue fighting every day to make sure that our children and grandchildren have every opportunity to lead successful lives in the Sunshine State. Our Securing Florida’s Future budget advances Florida’s record of success and represents years of fighting to do what’s right for Florida families and I will keep fighting every day to secure Florida’s future for every Florida family.”
Cuts Taxes and Fees
The Securing Florida’s Future budget proposes to cut taxes by $180 million including reducing the fee when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license, reducing traffic citation fines for individuals attending driving school and implementing a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday and three one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holidays in May, June and July.
Protects the Environment
To continue protecting Florida’s world-class beaches, award-winning and nationally acclaimed state parks, renowned springs and iconic Everglades, Governor Scott is recommending more than $3.8 billion, including record funding to preserve Florida’s environment and keep the state beautiful for generations to come. This includes:

  • A record $355 million for Everglades restoration including $50 million to expedite repairs for the federal Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee;
  • A record $55 million for Florida’s springs;
  • A record $100 million for Florida’s beaches;
  • A record $50 million for Florida’s state parks;
  • More than $21 million to help Florida’s citrus industry following Hurricane Irma; and
  • $50 million for Florida Forever to help preserve and protect our natural lands.

Invests in Education
For the sixth straight year, Governor Scott is recommending historic funding for education. The Securing Florida’s Future budget invests historic amounts of funding in voluntary pre-kindergarten, K-12, state colleges and universities to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed in the Sunshine State. Historic investments include:

  • An additional $11.6 million for a record total of more than $408 million for Florida’s VPK program, a quality free education initiative, which serves more than 158,000 four and five-year olds;
  • More than $21.4 billion in state and local funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools. This historic funding equates to $7,497 per student – an increase of $200 per Florida student– the highest total funding, state funding and per-student funding for K-12 in Florida’s history;
  • $15 million in funding for a brand-new program to expand opportunities for middle and high school students to learn coding and computer science;
  • $12 million in funding to establish the English Language Learners Summer Academics program. This program will be focused on reading improvements and making sure students in grades 4 – 8 displaced by Hurricane Maria have access to summer academies.
  • Historic funding for higher education including record state operating funding for Florida’s higher education system of more than $1.2 billion for Florida colleges, and more than $2.4 billion for Florida universities; and
  • More than $23 million for Bright Futures scholarships and ensures the Bright Futures Academic Scholars award will continue to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees for all semesters, including summer, for all eligible students. There are also NO tuition increases included in the budget.

Healthy Florida Families
The Securing Florida’s Future budget makes important investments to keep Florida families healthy:

  • $53 million to continue Florida’s fight against the national opioid epidemic;
  • More than $1 billion in mental health and substance abuse funding, including $14.7 million for community-based behavioral health services;
  • More than $1.3 billion for Florida’s child welfare system which includes more than $10 million for an additional 130 Child Protective Investigator and Florida Abuse Hotline Counselor positions. Under Governor Scott, the number of CPIs has increased by nearly 300 and the number of by Florida Abuse Hotline counselors has increased by nearly 50;
  • More than $198 million, a more than $2 million increase over current year funding, for maintenance adoption subsidies which provide funding for the families of children who are adopted from foster care to receive the services they need. This funding will also provide critical post adoption services for more than 37,000 children. Since taking office, Governor Scott has championed investments for the adoption of more than 20,000 children from Florida’s child welfare system;
  • $2 million for the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to provide employment services to approximately 1200 individuals with behavioral health needs and those with developmental disabilities who are ready to work; and
  • More than $18 million to add approximately 900 individuals who are in crisis into the APD waiver program. This is the sixth year that Governor Scott has provided funding to enroll individuals into the APD waiver program to help them live, learn and work in their communities.

Secures Great Transportation for Florida’s Future
The Securing Florida’s Future budget invests a record $10.8 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation to ensure that more than 20.7 million residents and more than 112 million visitors are able to move safely and effectively throughout the state. Since 2011, Governor Scott has overseen the investment of $85 billion in funding for roads, bridges, airports and seaports. This includes priority investments in Florida’s seaports exceeding $1.4 billion.
Keeps Florida’s Communities Safe and Strong
The Securing Florida’s Future budget invests $5.3 billion in public safety, an increase of nearly $200 million over current year funding, and makes important investments to support Florida’s dedicated law enforcement officers. Key public safety investments include:

  • $30 million for Florida’s state law enforcement agencies to use for additional pay raises to award Florida’s nearly 4,800 sworn state law enforcement officers;
  • $1.3 million to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for incident command vehicles and emergency ordinance disposal vehicles to strengthen counterterrorism and intelligence efforts;
  • More than $8 million for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to provide a 10 percent salary increase for Florida’s Juvenile Detention and Probation Officers;
  • $317,000 and three positions for DJJ to establish the Office of Youth and Family Advocacy which will serve as a firsthand resource working directly with youth and families to foster communication and amplify their voice in the ongoing improvement of the juvenile justice system; and
  • $68 million and 476 positions for the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) to better serve inmates with mental illness.

Invests in Florida’s Emergency Preparedness and Response
The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes a total of $1.4 billion for the Florida Division of Emergency Management to continue to prepare for and respond to both manmade and natural disasters. This reflects a 257 percent increase over the current year level of funding of $390.6 million. This funding will also support communities and state operations in disaster response and rapid recovery related activities due to Hurricane Irma and other prior storms. This is the highest level of funding since Governor Scott took office.
Invests in Florida’s Veterans Community
The Securing Florida’s Future budget recommends $178 million to support active duty military, veterans and their families.
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget highlights.
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget FAQ.
Click here to view the Securing Florida’s Future Budget complete budget.

Gov. Scott Highlights $180 Million in Tax Cuts for Florida Families

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Governor Rick Scott visited Weather Tite Windows, a family-owned and operated window and door replacement company in Tampa Bay, to highlight his proposal for $180 million in tax cuts for Florida families as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget. The Governor’s proposal includes sales tax holidays to help families prepare for the school year and hurricane season, and reductions to many of the fees on driver’s licenses. Since 2010, the Governor has cut taxes more than 75 times, saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. In August, Governor Scott also announced that he will propose an amendment to Florida’s Constitution to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes by requiring a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Read more HERE.
Governor Scott’s $180 million tax cut package includes:

  • Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $88 Million – The Governor’s recommended budget includes funding for four sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $88 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
    • $73 million from a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
    • $15 million from three one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holidays which would take place in May, June and July.
  • Reduction in Driver’s License Fees to Save Floridians $87 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the fees for driver’s licenses. These fees were increased in 2009, prior to Governor Scott taking office. These fee cuts include:
    • $67 million in savings from reducing the fee for a renewal of a regular driver’s license by more than 58 percent from $48 to $20; and
    • $20 million in savings from reducing the fee on an original regular driver’s license by more than 43 percent from $48 to $27 and the fee on an original Commercial Driver’s License by more than 10 percentfrom $75 to $67.
  • Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $4 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reinstate the 18 percent reduction of eligible traffic citation fines, which was repealed in 2009 prior to Governor Scott taking office, for individuals who attend a basic driver improvement school.

Gov. Scott Highlights $180 Million in Tax Cuts for Florida Families

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Governor Rick Scott visited Global Business Solutions, Inc., an information technology company, in Pensacola to highlight his proposal for $180 million in tax cuts for Florida families as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget. The Governor’s proposal includes sales tax holidays to help families prepare for the school year and hurricane season, and reductions to many of the fees on driver’s licenses. Since 2010, the Governor has cut taxes more than 75 times, saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. In August, Governor Scott also announced that he will propose an amendment to Florida’s Constitution to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes by requiring a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Read more HERE.
Governor Scott’s $180 million tax cut package includes:

  • Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $88 Million – The Governor’s recommended budget includes funding for four sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $88 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
    • $73 million from a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
    • $15 million from three one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holidays which would take place in May, June and July.
  • Reduction in Driver’s License Fees to Save Floridians $87 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the fees for driver’s licenses. These fees were increased in 2009, prior to Governor Scott taking office. These fee cuts include:
    • $67 million in savings from reducing the fee for a renewal of a regular driver’s license by more than 58 percent from $48 to $20; and
    • $20 million in savings from reducing the fee on an original regular driver’s license by more than 43 percent from $48 to $27 and the fee on an original Commercial Driver’s License by more than 10 percentfrom $75 to $67.
  • Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $4 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reinstate the 18 percent reduction of eligible traffic citation fines, which was repealed in 2009 prior to Governor Scott taking office, for individuals who attend a basic driver improvement school.

Gov. Scott Proposes $180 Million in Tax Cuts for Florida Families

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that he will propose $180 million in tax cuts for Florida families as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget. The Governor’s proposal includes sales tax holidays to help families prepare for the school year and hurricane season, and reductions to many of the fees on driver’s licenses. Since 2010, the Governor has cut taxes more than 75 times, saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. In August, Governor Scott also announced that he will propose an amendment to Florida’s Constitution to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes by requiring a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Read more HERE.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce today that during the upcoming legislative session, I will fight to cut $180 million in taxes for families. This includes sales tax holidays to help families get prepared for the school year and for hurricane season, which is especially important following the devastation we saw from Hurricane Irma. I am also proposing to roll back many driver’s license fees, which will put money back into pockets of virtually every Florida family. These fees were raised in 2009 before I came into office, and I am proud to cut them by more than 58 percent to help every Floridian when they renew their license.
“Over the past seven years, we have worked relentlessly to turn around Florida’s economy and the results are clear – our unemployment rate has dropped to a more than ten year low of 3.8 percent, business have created more than 1.3 million private sector jobs and we have been able to make historic investments in education, transportation and our environment. All of this was accomplished while cutting taxes more than 75 times, saving more than $7.5 billion for Florida families and job creators. Cutting taxes works and the rest of the nation needs to follow Florida’s lead. I am also fighting to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes in the future and I look forward to working with the Legislature during the upcoming session on these proposals.”
Governor Scott’s $180 million tax cut package includes:

  • Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $88 Million – The Governor’s recommended budget includes funding for four sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $88 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
    • $73 million from a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
    • $15 million from three one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holidays which would take place in May, June and July.
  • Reduction in Driver’s License Fees to Save Floridians $87 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the fees for driver’s licenses. These fees were increased in 2009, prior to Governor Scott taking office. These fee cuts include:
    • $67 million in savings from reducing the fee for a renewal of a regular driver’s license by more than 58 percent from $48 to $20; and
    • $20 million in savings from reducing the fee on an original regular driver’s license by more than 43 percent from $48 to $27 and the fee on an original Commercial Driver’s License by more than 10 percent from $75 to $67.
  • Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $4 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reinstate the 18 percent reduction of eligible traffic citation fines, which was repealed in 2009 prior to Governor Scott taking office, for individuals who attend a basic driver improvement school.

More details on the Governor’s proposed budget will be made available in the coming weeks.