Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Passage of Senate Bill 4-A: Disaster Relief

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch (FTW) President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the Florida Legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 4-A: Disaster Relief, which occurred today and will provide more than $750 million in financial relief for localities and residents impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with a FTW representative, please contact Aly Coleman Raschid at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040. 
“Naturally, as the ‘eyes and ears’ of taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch has been monitoring the devastating and pervasive impact of the recent hurricanes, making thoughtful policy recommendations for legislative leaders' and decision makers' consideration as they work to facilitate long-term recovery. We commend Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, and the entire Florida Legislature for passing comprehensive disaster relief legislation today, in particular the provision to refund property taxes for Floridians whose homes are uninhabitable as a result of hurricane damage, a concept Florida TaxWatch originally presented back in October, just days after Hurricane Ian made landfall.

"In fact, Florida TaxWatch is proud that, to date, most of our nine total post-Hurricane Ian recommendations have been implemented or are available to the Department of Revenue as tools to help with assisting impacted residents. We look forward to witnessing how this latest development – which we recognize was made possible by sound fiscal policy that generated an unprecedented level of reserves – will further support ongoing efforts to return the Sunshine State to full strength following back-to-back storms. 

"Florida TaxWatch will also be monitoring and reporting on the property insurance and toll-related measures passed during this week's special session in the months and years ahead.”

To access FTW’s Nine Actions Florida Should Take to Help Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Ian, please click here. To learn more about the important work of FTW and review the organization’s full research library, please click here.