A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis says drivers aren’t imagining fewer traffic jams on the state’s highways and byways in recent days.
He credits the phenomenon with state policy discouraging undocumented immigrants from driving recklessly, noting that someone who approached him in a Tampa Wawa this week tipped him off.
“‘Since you guys (started) all the law enforcement … on the immigration, the traffic has gone down because you’d have people here illegally. It’s like they own the place. Really bad driving, very aggressive,'” DeSantis recalled the person saying.
“And now that’s stopping because they know if they get pulled over, if one of (Florida Highway Patrol head Dave Kerner‘s) guys pulls them over and they’re deputized by ICE, then they can turn them over to federal immigration authorities,” DeSantis added while speaking Thursday at Miami’s Z Hotel.
Last month, the state of Florida agreed with the Department of Homeland Security to allow Highway Patrol men and women to help with immigration enforcement. However, these comments were the first suggestion from DeSantis that undocumented immigrants were a major cause of traffic snarls.
DeSantis’ comments on immigration enforcement leading to improved driving conditions follow up on recent observations about legal resident Floridians’ bad driving abilities. DeSantis said poor skills on the road are driving up insurance premiums, even as some companies have lowered rates year over year.
“We have challenges with how the culture of driving is. I was telling people when we had the snowstorm. Now, North Florida may be a little bit better than South Florida for driving, but I was afraid everyone’s going to be peeling out on this ice and stuff. And we were plowing it. And I think it ended up working out okay. But you have that situation,” DeSantis said Tuesday.
12 comments
Skeptic
March 6, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Lame duck says what? Sis he motorcade used to get stuck at lights? And now it doesn’t? Is there some source other than his anecdotes about chauffeured travel to back up this nonsense?
ScienceBLVR
March 6, 2025 at 4:58 pm
Well, if ya heard it at the WaWa, you know it has to be true!
Now if you can just get all those reckless elderly drivers off the road.. it’s like they think they own the road- even though they can’t see it too well.
At least, there’s no need to gather facts, data, accurate stats before making big pronouncements, right Roadster Ron?
Rick Singh ( Formor Orange County Property Appraiser )
March 6, 2025 at 5:08 pm
White Paper: Evaluating the Proposed Elimination of Property Taxes in Florida
By Rick Singh
Introduction
Governor Ron DeSantis’s proposal to eliminate property taxes in Florida has sparked a significant debate about the nature of homeownership, taxation, and public finance. While many homeowners resonate with the idea that they are “paying rent to the government,” property taxes remain a primary source of revenue for essential local services. The potential consequences of eliminating this tax require a comprehensive analysis of its impact on homeowners, renters, businesses, and government services.
The Case for Eliminating Property Taxes
Proponents argue that:
Property taxes create an ongoing financial burden on homeowners, even after they fully pay for their homes.
Rising property taxes, especially in high-growth areas, can become unaffordable for retirees and fixed-income households.
Eliminating property taxes could provide immediate financial relief to homeowners, increasing disposable income and stimulating economic growth.
Potential Consequences of Eliminating Property Taxes
While eliminating property taxes may seem appealing, it comes with several unintended consequences:
1. Impact on Public Services
Property taxes fund essential services, including:
Public Schools: A major portion of property taxes is allocated to education.
Law Enforcement & Emergency Services: Local police, fire departments, and emergency medical services heavily depend on property tax revenue.
Infrastructure & Public Works: Road maintenance, water systems, and local utilities rely on this stable revenue source.
If property taxes are eliminated, alternative revenue sources must be identified to prevent service reductions or privatization, which could increase costs for residents.
2. Shift in Tax Burden
To replace lost property tax revenue, Florida may need to:
Increase Sales Taxes: This would disproportionately impact lower-income residents who spend a higher percentage of their income on taxable goods.
Raise Business & Corporate Taxes: This could discourage investment and job creation.
Introduce Special Fees & Assessments: Local governments may impose service fees that could lead to unpredictable costs for homeowners and renters.
3. Effects on the Housing Market
Potential Increase in Home Prices: Without property taxes, homebuyers may be willing to pay more for homes, driving up prices.
Disproportionate Benefits for Wealthy Homeowners: Those with multiple properties would benefit more, while renters and lower-income families could face higher costs.
Higher Rental Prices: Landlords may pass increased costs from alternative taxes onto tenants.
Alternatives to Full Elimination of Property Taxes
Rather than complete elimination, a more balanced approach could include:
Increasing the Homestead Exemption: Raising the exemption from $50,000 to $75,000 would provide relief to primary homeowners while maintaining some property tax revenue.
Targeted Tax Relief: Offering tax exemptions or reductions for seniors, veterans, and low-income families.
Gradual Phase-Out & Replacement Strategy: If property taxes are reduced, an incremental approach could allow time for alternative revenue sources to stabilize.
Addressing the Budget Shortfall
A $43 billion shortfall from eliminating property taxes necessitates a combination of alternative revenue strategies, including:
Diversifying Revenue Sources – Expanding taxable goods and services.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) – Engaging private entities to fund and manage public services.
Economic Development Initiatives – Attracting businesses to generate more sales and employment taxes.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – Using projected tax revenues from development projects to fund local improvements.
Utilizing State and Federal Grants – Seeking additional funding for essential services.
Conclusion
While eliminating property taxes may offer short-term relief for homeowners, the long-term consequences could include financial instability for local governments, reduced public services, and shifts in the tax burden that negatively impact renters and businesses. A more practical approach would involve targeted tax reforms, increased homestead exemptions, and diversified revenue strategies to ensure Florida remains an attractive and financially stable place to live and do business.
Michael K
March 6, 2025 at 5:17 pm
I think the state should encourage everyone not to drive recklessly. Sheesh
But I’d be happier to silence cars with no mufflers and making loud noises and backfiring and pretending to be race cars.
QuietFL
March 7, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Agreed!
$1000 Fine for a first offense loud mufflers driven by crazy insecure males driving small cars.
Gun back fire mufflers 5K first offense and removal of muffler.
Second offense 10K and suspension of drivers license for 3 years.
PeterH
March 6, 2025 at 5:49 pm
This wins the award for a statement without proof! DeSantis conspiracy theory number 628!
SuzyQ
March 6, 2025 at 11:42 pm
What is 627, 626, 625, 624, 623, 622, 621, 620, 619 …? List them all unless your post is a prevarication.
MH/Duuuval
March 7, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Prevarication? Like the money Musk’s DOUCHE has saved?
Bill Pollard
March 6, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Traffic is the worst I have seen it. And I have to agree about the vehicles without mufflers. In most states they would be ticketed within a day or two. The traffic is so out of control here that the police have just too much on their hands to deal with loud cars in Florida.
QuietFL
March 7, 2025 at 2:16 pm
The revenue from fines for these obnoxious terrorist mufflers could pave I-95 (fund DOT construction) with gold and give peace and quiet back to beautiful formerly peaceful Florida.
This would be great bi-partisan legislation.
Ex-Republican
March 7, 2025 at 6:57 am
Don’t get confused, Ronda. That’s Canadians who USED to visit Florida but are refusing now thanks to your butt-hero, Trumpty-Dumpy.
You’re both about to have a great fall.
MH/Duuuval
March 7, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Bingo!
Moreover some of us remember when Canada’s embassy team in Tehran saved six Americans from being kidnapped and held hostage by Iranian militants in 1979.
Have a Molson and chill, Dee, eh!
Comments are closed.