DAYTONA BEACH — Gov. Ron DeSantis visitedFlorida's largest gas station on Monday morning to announce a proposal to temporarily waive the state's gasoline tax next year to offsetsoaring fuel pump prices.
The waiver, pending approval by the state Legislature during the annual session that begins Jan. 11, could take effect in early 2022.
"What we're going to be proposing in the next legislative session is over a billion dollars in gas tax relief for Florida families," said DeSantis at a press conference held at the massive104-pump Buc-ee's gas station in Daytona Beach. "We're taking over 25 cents from Florida and we'll basically zero that out as long as we can."
The state currently collects a tax of26.5 cents per gallon on purchases of gasoline. That money is used to help fund road improvement projects throughout Florida.
Thanks to federal COVID-19 stimulus funds, DeSantis said the state is "in great financial shape," with surpluses that should allow infrastructure projects to continue to be funded, at least for the near future. "I don't think we're going to miss a beat," he said.
'Money's there' for infrastructure projects
The Florida Department of Transportation's list of infrastructure improvement projects includes one that would replace the Interstate 95/LPGA Boulevard interchange as well as the nearby two-lane Tomoka River Bridge with wider bridges that would allow LPGA Boulevard west of the interstate to finally be widened from two to four lanes.
That project is one that is long overdue in Volusia County because of the surge in new homes and commercial development projects in the LPGA area west of I-95, including the fast-growing Jimmy Buffett-themed Latitude Margaritaville 55-and-older community, ICI Homes' all-ages Mosiac "full life" communityand multiple shopping centers.
State Sen. Tom Wright (R-District 14)attended DeSantis's press conference and applauded the Governor's proposal as a "brilliant idea" that should have no trouble winning the Legislature's approval. The Republican from New Smyrna Beach serves as vice chairman of the state Senate's commerce and tourism committee. "We can absorb that 25 cents a gallon for a period of time. I don't see why we as the Legislature wouldn't approve that."
Wright added that he has been given assurances that state funding for FDOT's project to replace the I-95/LPGA interchange and Tomoka River Bridge are "already in place. That bridge is going to get widened and that road is going to get four-laned. It's in the (FDOT) five-year plan. It's funded and it's set to go. The money's there. Same thing with the (planned new I-95) interchange at Pioneer Trail (in New Smyrna Beach)."
"I think the thing that's been most dramatic for most people because they deal with it in their everyday lives is how much gas prices have gone up,"said DeSantis.
AAA Auto Club on Monday morning reported that the statewide average price for regular gasoline now stands at $3.35 a gallon, up nine cents a gallon from a week ago and up $1.32 a gallon from a year ago. The increase in fuel pump prices are expected to make this year's Thanksgiving weekend the most expensive in eight years.
In the Daytona Beach area, the average price for regular gasoline on Monday was $3.34 a gallon, up 10 cents from a week ago and up $1.33 from a year ago.
PAIN AT THE PUMP:Gas prices climb to highest level since 2013
FEELING THE PINCH: Consumer prices jumpby alarming rate
TURKEY PRICES:No shortage in Daytona area, butexpect to pay more for this year's Thanksgiving meal
'Inflation is real. It's here.'
Arch "Beaver" Aplin, the co-founder of the Texas-based Buc-ee's chain, said he came to his Daytona Beach store specifically to take part in DeSantis's press conference. Also in attendance was Steve Hasher, director of store operations in Florida for the Pennsylvania-based Wawa gas station chain.
"Inflation is real. It's here. There's no question about it," said Aplin. "Gas is one of those big ticket items that hits everybody."
Aplin said whenDeSantis told him about his proposal to temporarily waive Florida's gas tax, he immediately pledged that "the day they lower the tax, we'll roll back our (gas) prices the entire 25 cents and I'm quite certain Wawa and others will do the same."
Stacy Cunningham Welch, president of Daytona Beach-based Cunningham Oil, said temporarily waiving the state gas tax would tremendously help her family's business which relies on a fleet of trucks to deliver propane gas and service and install air-conditioning and heating systems. "It makes a big impact," she said of the high gas prices.
The price on Monday for regular gasoline at Buc-ee's was $2.95 a gallon, tied with the members-only Sam's Club gas station across the street for cheapest in the Volusia-Flagler area, according to GasBuddy.com.
"We always stop here," said Orlando resident Stephane Osmond, referring to the Daytona Beach Buc-ee's. Osmondis traveling with her husband en route to South Carolina for Thanksgiving, along with her friend Diane Gardner and her husband. The Gardner's son is graduating from Marine Corps boot camp there this week.
The two couples appeared to be unaware of DeSantis's visit there just minutes before.
"This is the cheapest gas. We have an RV so with the rise in gas prices, it kind of curtails a lot of our travel plans," Osmond said.
But despite the higher fuel pump prices, Gardner said, "With the vaccination, people don't care about gas prices. They're going to travel to see their families finally."
