DeSantis Proposes Toll Elimination for Florida Residents, Shifting Costs to Tourists

In a surprising move during a recent state cabinet meeting in Tallahassee, Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a plan that could drastically alter Florida's road financing model: abolishing tolls for state residents while shifting the burden to out-of-state visitors.

"How long will we keep these tolls?" DeSantis pondered before the cabinet. "They've been around since I was a child, the toll roads," he remarked.

He further elaborated, as reported by local media, "You could charge the visitors, and they might be able to support the entire system, giving our Florida residents a break. I think it would be a great idea."

Although the proposal lacks technical details and formal legislative backing, it suggests a restructuring of the toll system across more than 700 miles of highways throughout the state. In Orange County alone, there are over 150 miles of such roads.

Lucrative System with Financial Challenges

The latest report from the Florida Toll System indicates that during the fiscal year 2024, toll revenues amounted to approximately $1.3 billion, while maintenance expenses were a mere $275 million. Despite this, the system carries an outstanding bond debt exceeding $3.2 billion, nearly a third of the legal debt cap.

DeSantis integrated his proposal into a discussion about the state's accelerated debt program, which uses budget surpluses to pay down obligations. "We're eliminating taxpayer-funded debt," he explained, adding, "I know others have a stake in this, but I'd love to remove the tolls and other expenses people face."

Previous Measures: From Suspension to Reimbursement

This idea isn't emerging from nowhere. Throughout his administration, DeSantis has enacted several measures to lessen the toll impact on local drivers:

• Temporary toll suspensions during major storms and emergencies.
• A 2023 toll relief program offering a 50% refund to drivers crossing 35 or more tolls in a month.

This program benefited over 1.2 million Floridians, saving an estimated $500 million, which averages $400 per person. The new proposal goes further, suggesting a 100% discount for Florida residents while fully charging non-residents.

However, DeSantis did not clarify how the lost funds would be compensated or how the new tariff model would be technically implemented.

Reactions and Challenges

State bond finance director Ben Watkins acknowledged that his office "would look into that," noting that the "current financial strength is better than ever," although experts caution about structural vulnerabilities like high insurance costs and housing access.

From the Democratic opposition, state representative Fentrice Driskell emphasized that citizens demand real economic relief, not just flashy proposals. "We hear our neighbors, and they care about affordability. They're tired of the headlines, the culture wars, feeling that their government doesn't care or listen," Driskell stated.

Context of Aggressive Tax Cuts

DeSantis's toll proposal aligns with his strategy to reduce the tax burden on residents. In the last legislative session, Republicans approved a tax package that included:

• Permanent sales tax exemption for back-to-school shopping.
• New tax exemptions for activities like hunting, fishing, and Second Amendment-related purchases.
• Repeal of the state business income tax.

"We're really running out of state-level taxes to cut. I mean, we don't have an income tax; all sales tax exemptions are permanent," the governor explained. "So, you know, you don't have to pay for baby items, groceries, medicine, disaster response, or back-to-school holidays," he added.

Although DeSantis hasn't officially presented toll elimination as part of an electoral platform or provided a concrete timeline, the proposal's scope and potential impact suggest a strategic move for future political positioning.

Practically speaking, numerous obstacles exist in implementing such a measure: from redesigning fee systems to renegotiating contracts with concessionaires and infrastructure agencies, legislative backing, and potential legal challenges.