Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Final Passage of Tax Relief Package
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fri., May 5, 2023
CONTACT: Aly Coleman Raschid, aly@on3pr.com, 850.391.5040
Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Final Passage of Tax Relief Package
Tallahassee, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the final passage of HB 7063: Taxation during today’s House session. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman Raschid at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040.
“Including many of the tax relief proposals recommended by Governor Ron DeSantis back in February, the bill passed by the Florida Legislature today is a clear ‘win’ for all taxpayers across Florida, especially families. It is the largest tax relief package in Florida history at $1.3 billion and creates several sales tax holidays and exemptions for baby and toddler products, oral hygiene products, gas stoves and energy star appliances, and much more.
“The bill also includes a full one percentage point reduction in the Business Rent Tax rate, a top priority and longtime recommendation of Florida TaxWatch, which will place Florida companies and taxpayers in a more competitive position, reduce overhead costs for thousands of small businesses, and ultimately grow our state’s economy.
“Not to mention, the bill will place a three-year freeze on the local communications services tax – consistent with another Florida TaxWatch recommendation and a significant step in the right direction to relieve nearly all Florida families and businesses from this burdensome and highly regressive tax.
“Florida TaxWatch commends our state’s strong leadership, particularly Governor DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, and House Speaker Paul Renner, for this family-focused tax relief package that will make a real, meaningful difference in the everyday lives of Florida’s hardworking taxpayers.”
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.
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