Overview
- Gov. Ron DeSantis raised the idea at Wednesday’s Florida Cabinet meeting, framing it as a resident exemption supported by visitor payments.
- Florida Division of Bond Finance Director Ben Watkins responded that his office would take a look at the proposal.
- DeSantis offered no specifics on how a resident-only exemption would be implemented or how lost revenue would be replaced.
- Tolls support highway operations and construction debt service, with Florida’s Turnpike reporting nearly $1.4 billion in operating revenue last year.
- A prior toll relief program granted a 50% credit to frequent users, benefiting about 1.2 million Floridians and saving roughly $470 million before expiring in March.