Florida Legislature Drops Fuel Prices for October Gas Tax Holiday

By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

Fuel prices at the pump dropped rather quickly this weekend as a result of the Florida Motor Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2022.

The Florida Legislature passed the law this spring lowering the price of fuel by 25.3 cents per gallon by removing state gas taxes.

Republican leaders said the gas tax holiday would be for the month of October.

The state GOP championed the tax break and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law, but Democrats described it as an election-year stunt. DeSantis promoted the tax break as helping offset rising fuel prices and inflation.

Out-of-state visitors and locals in Chiefland Saturday could be heard commenting on the lower cost of gasoline as they lined up at pumps. They weren’t complaining about election-year politics.

The state is expected to lose about $200 million in gasoline tax revenue by giving the tax break to motorists. It will make up the revenue by transferring $200 million of COVID-19 money to cover the cost.

State gas taxes pay for the construction and maintenance of roads.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Gas prices will shoot back up again on Nov. 1.