Florida Budget Talks Stall Amid DeSantis Veto Threat Over Sales Tax Cut

Budget negotiations in Florida have stalled due to a clash between the House and Senate over proposed sales tax cuts, with Governor Ron DeSantis threatening to veto any plan that includes lowering the state sales tax rate. DeSantis argues that cutting sales taxes disproportionately benefits tourists and visitors rather than Florida residents, and that property tax relief would more directly help homeowners. House Speaker Daniel Perez supports reducing the sales tax from 6% to 5.25% and disputes DeSantis's claim that both sales and property tax cuts cannot coexist. The Senate, influenced by DeSantis's concerns, has hesitated to advance the House's sales tax proposal, leading to an extended legislative session. Perez has also formed a committee to explore property tax cuts but criticizes the governor's property tax rebate plan as insufficient. The impasse highlights a broader debate over tax policy priorities between state officials, with the governor emphasizing a "Florida-first" tax approach focused on property relief and the House advocating for broader sales tax reductions.