The path forward for a proposal to reduce Florida's sales tax is uncertain, and Florida's next special election in Congressional District 6 gets national attention.
Lawmakers send mixed signals on sales tax reduction
It’s reportedly the largest cut of its kind in U.S. History, potentially offering Floridians roughly $5 billion in relief.
“This will not be a temporary measure, a stunt or a tax holiday. This will be a permanent recurring tax reduction,” Florida House Speaker Danny Perez said about the potential change.
However, Florida leaders in Tallahassee appear cautious.
“Everybody knows right now we have an affordability challenge with many families in Florida," Senate President Ben Albritton said. "So we are certainly open-minded. We’re reviewing what the proposal looks like. And, you know, we’ll we’ll see where it goes.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis, in comparison, is setting a higher priority on property tax reform.
“We need a Florida-first tax package that will reduce the No. 1 tax that is hurting Floridians, which is property tax," he said.
To balance the budget, lawmakers would need to cut spending, and one option under consideration is fewer tax holidays.
“The sales tax holidays tend to be narrowly targeted," said Florida State University economics professor Randall Holcombe. "They may temporarily stimulate spending in particular areas. But overall, I think we’re better off with a lower rate.”
The 2025 legislative session ends on May 4, which means lawmakers have just weeks left to strike a deal on some sort of tax relief.
Perez said a potential bill could be available on the issue as early as next week.
Florida's special election in Congressional District 6 gets national attention
Two looming special elections in Florida will decide who will fill the seats in congress left vacant by National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Political observers are taking note that the race in House District 6 appears closer than originally expected.
“Think about any other year over the last 20 years, an off-year election such as this one in Florida, in a heavily Republican district — what are the odds somebody would actually be making this much noise? So, that’s one sign that it’s a national bellwether,” Eckerd College Professor Anthony Brunello said.
House District 6 includes Flagler and Putnam counties, as well as parts of Lake, Marion, Volusia, and Saint John’s counties.
And while the district has been held by Republicans for more than three decades, voters will decide whether to buck that trend this coming Tuesday.
Current State Sen. Randy Fine has the Republican nomination, and Josh Weil is filling the Democratic side of the ticket.
Additionally, there is Libertarian candidate Andrew Parrott, no-party affiliation candidate Randall Terry, and a write-in candidate.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Fine and took part in a tele-rally for him just a short time ago.
And the president’s close advisor, Elon Musk, is also getting involved in the race.
According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, Musk’s political action committee, America PAC, gave just over $10,000 to Fine’s campaign for “texting services.”
Musk’s PAC also gave the same amount to current Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis’ campaign for the U.S. House District 1 seat.
Ahead of special election day, newly installed Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin will visit the Sunshine State. He’s planning to attend a pair of grassroots events in the district, alongside Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.
Weil and the Democratic party face an uphill battle trying to flip District 6 — about 48.9% of registered voters in the district are Republicans compared to just under 25.5% Democrats.
Another 22.4%, though potentially making the difference, are registered with no party affiliation.
