Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) joined a number of House Democrats in denouncing $624 million in corporate tax refunds that he believes should be directed to address rising housing costs in Florida. In a Zoom news conference, Crist joined Florida Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Anna V. Eskamani, and Angie Nixon in calling for an end to the tax rebates.
Last year, the lawmakers highlighted their concerns regarding the tax rebates, and they criticized that $524 million in refunds in 2020 went to the largest 1% of private companies in Florida.
Rep. Crist, who’s vying to become Florida’s Governor once again, directed blame to Governor Ron DeSantis (R), saying that DeSantis “has gotten a lot of news lately for his tough-on-big-business rhetoric.” Ultimately, Crist expressed that “that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Crist went on to explain that “under Ron DeSantis the state’s biggest corporations are, for a second time, benefitting from millions in corporate tax breaks, while working Floridians are given no help whatsoever.”
Crist added that “this spring, major Florida corporations are set to get a $624 million corporate tax refund while you, the people of Florida, get no assistance to help find cheap rent in your communities, keep up with your utility bills, buy a home, or pay your property insurance on your homeowner policy."
DeSantis, Crist asserts, “couldn’t care less.”
In recent weeks, Crist has received significant endorsements from several unions. While the endorsements have continued to bring recognition to his campaign, a recent poll indicated that Governor DeSantis still lead the three Democratic challengers by double-digits.
Last week, Crist further criticized DeSantis, accusing him of turning "a deaf ear" and "ignoring" rising property insurance concerns.
DeSantis has largely dismissed his three Democratic challengers, which also include Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) and state Senator Annette Taddeo (D), but Crist remains hopeful that he will emerge the winner from the Democratic primary and that he will subsequently defeat DeSantis in the general election.
