BRADENTON, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed a one-year tax holiday on baby necessities and household items under $25 at a news conference in a Bradenton seafood restaurant Tuesday afternoon.
“We did a one-year tax holiday for all baby and toddler necessities like diapers and things like that,” DeSantis said. “At the end of the day, those are things as parents ... those are not things you can’t do without so we think it was a very good way to put some tax relief to folks and to help families. And so what we’re going to do in next year’s tax relief package is we’re going to institute working with the legislature on a permanent sales tax exemption on those baby necessities.”
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The governor said his sales tax exemption proposal would extend to cribs, strollers, children’s books and toys for kids up to 12 years old. DeSantis also said his tax break proposals would include any household items under $25, athleticwear, over-the-counter pet medication, pet food, and medical supplies and equipment.
The governor was joined by Department of Economic Opportunity Dane Eagle for the 12:30 p.m. news conference at Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside.
“As a parent myself, the governor mentioned a lot coming from his own experience as a young father. We both have 2-year-olds in diapers. That’s huge... And you realize these are real costs you have to live with on a daily, weekly, monthly basis,” Eagle said.
This news conference comes days after DeSantis announced funding for workforce education aimed at supporting the space industry. The funds include $11.5 million for to expand and support machining, welding, manufacturing and avionics training programs at Eastern Florida State College, Daytona State College, and Indian River State College, according to the governor’s office.
DeSantis also addressed his decision to fly dozens of undocumented immigrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, continuing to defend the use of state funds for their relocation.
“If you believe in open borders, and this is sanctuary jurisdictions, then you should have to bear the brunt of the open borders,” he said.
He also added he “cannot confirm” he paid for more migrants to be shipped on a plane from Texas to Delaware after a reporter inquired about this incident based on a public records search.
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