Amid Campaigning, DeSantis Signs Bills, Bills, and More Bills

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, and his wife, Casey DeSantis, arrive for a campaign event at Eternity Church in Clive, Iowa, on May 30, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Ron DeSantis has been busy the last week since officially launching his bid for the presidency. Amid a flurry of campaign appearances in his own state and Iowa, the Florida governor continues to govern.

DeSantis has signed dozens of bills that are still landing on his desk after the legislative session that concluded on May 5. Among the most significant were packages aimed at families and children, governor’s office spokesman Jeremy Redfern told The Epoch Times.

One bill Desantis signed into law created $2.7 billion in tax relief for families.

Another legislative package supports active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Yet another helps school districts create music education programs for kindergarten through 2nd-grade students.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a family tax relief bill in his Tallahassee office on May 25, 2023. (Courtesy of the Florida Governor's Office.)

“Because of President Biden’s disastrous economic policies, Florida families are feeling the pressure of inflation in their wallets,” DeSantis said, while signing the tax-relief package on May 25.

“But in Florida, we are ensuring that our state’s economic success gets passed on to the people who made it possible. I will continue to push smart fiscal policy that will allow Florida families to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pocket. Stronger families make for a stronger Florida.”

The governor’s office also pointed to a raft of water-quality and conservation measures included in a bill he signed on May 30.

That measure, House Bill 1379, enhances protections for the Indian River Lagoon, expands the existing wastewater grant program, strengthens its plans for managing the state’s water basins, requires local governments to improve their long-term planning on water and sewer projects, and dedicates $100 million annually for the Florida Forever conservation land acquisition program.

Tax-Relief for Floridians

In the tax-relief package, $234 million goes to permanent sales-tax exemptions for baby and toddler necessities such as diapers, wipes, strollers, playpens, clothing, and shoes.

A temporary  “Freedom Summer” sales-tax holiday provides $230 million in relief on taxes for outdoor recreation and entertainment between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

A manatee gives birth in the Indian River Lagoon near Jensen Beach, Fla., in January 2018. (Dan M. Berger/The Epoch Times)

The Back to School sales-tax holiday has been expanded to four weeks annually—two in the fall and two in the spring—adding up to $161 million in tax relief for Floridians.

A permanent sales-tax exemption on hygiene products such as toothpaste and toothbrushes is valued at $67 million.

A sales-tax holiday on emergency preparedness purchases for families and pets, a significant item during Florida’s hurricane season, is worth $144 million.

Highway toll rebates for Florida residents, which began on Jan. 1, will top $500 million.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bills supporting veterans, service members, and their families on May 26, 2023. (Courtesy of the Florida Governor's Office.)

Live Local Act tax credits will assist first-time homebuyers who are teachers, first responders, veterans, or active-duty military buy homes closer to their jobs. Those will add up to $854 million.

One of several smaller measures included is an estimated $7 million in relief through a one-year sales-tax exemption on gas stoves. It's DeSantis’s response to progressive efforts to ban gas stoves across the nation.

Help for Military Families in Florida

Florida is home to 1.5 million veterans, DeSantis’s office noted. On May 26, he signed bills meant to improve their quality of life.

“Florida is the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation and, through this legislation, we are further supporting our military, veterans, and their families with the resources they need while they are serving and after they have fulfilled their duty," DeSantis said.

A battery of measures supports veterans, service members, and their families.

One measure gives college credits for combat medic training and education to veterans seeking a nursing degree. Another establishes the Office of Veteran Licensure Services within the Department of Health to help veterans and their spouses seeking health care licensure with access, education, training, and employment.

Florida is rebating 50 percent of the tolls its residents pay on the state's highways. (Craig Bailey/Florida Today via AP)

Another office that was created—the Division of Long-Term Care within the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs—oversees the operation of veterans’ adult day health care programs and expands eligibility for veterans who wish to enter them.

One bill creates a dental care program for veterans, which will give grants to nonprofits providing dental services for veterans. Only 15 percent of veterans are eligible for dental benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the governor’s office said.

Other bills establish a $75,000 death benefit for families of active-duty service members; make early termination of residential leases easier for military personnel if military housing becomes available; and create the Florida State Guard within the Department of Military Affairs. The Florida State Guard will be fully funded with $107 million.  

In signing the music education bill on May 30, DeSantis said, “Music education has been shown to help children with language development, brain development, and fine motor skills.”

The state’s Department of Education will grant $150 per student to schools that meet specific criteria. Eligible programs must include all K-2 students, use certified music educators, provide 30 consecutive minutes of music instruction two days a week, and comply with state standards on class size and curriculum.