DeSantis Announces Additional Toll Relief, Touts Near $1 Billion Relief in Two Years

MIAMI, FL—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced additional toll relief for Florida citizens Monday afternoon, lauding the nearly $1 billion in relief allowed in two years.

"Starting today, on April 1, you are getting toll relief in the state of Florida for all of our commuters," DeSantis said at Monday's Miami press conference.

"We were able in 2023 to do the most significant toll relief program in the history of the state—we were able to rebate 50% of all the tolls for our commuters on a monthly basis," he added, referencing last year's program in which 1.2 million drivers per month saved a total of $385 million on Florida highways.

The 2024-2025 budget includes $450 million from the General Reserve Fund to the Department of Transportation for the toll relief program, lasting from April 1st through March 31st, 2025.

Two-axle vehicle drivers who use a Florida transponder, like the SunPass, will receive a credit to their account next month worth 50% of their previous month's transactions.

"Two consecutive years of record toll relief for Florida's commuters - nearly $1 BILLION," Bryan Griffin, the Communications Director for DeSantis, wrote on X. "Last year, commuters saved an average of $400 each thanks to Ron DeSantis' toll relief program."

In addition to a second round of toll relief, the Legislature also passed a separate massive tax relief bill.

The bill creates three separate sales tax exemption events, beginning with Freedom Month in July, which removes sales tax on tickets to movies, museums, state parks, concerts, and sporting events. The bill also funds two 14-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays, removing sales taxes for certain flashlights, radios, generators, and fire extinguishers. Lastly, it allows Floridians to buy some back-to-school items with no sales tax during the two-week, Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.