ContestsEvents

Governor Ron DeSantis Just Proposed a Permanent Florida Sales Tax Exemption For Gas Stoves

Ron DeSantis

(Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Framework for Freedom Budget with $4.4 billion in funding for the Department of Children and Families (Department) to continue to support strong and resilient families. This funding includes investments in enhancing prevention services, increases access and availability of behavioral health services, and supports updates to the Department’s systems to increase efficiencies and program effectiveness.

The Framework for Freedom Budget also proposes four permanent tax cuts and more than 10 temporary tax cuts to allow hardworking Floridians to keep money in their pockets while facing record-high inflation thanks to the federal government. The tax holidays include:

  • A permanent sales tax exemption for baby and toddler necessities
  •  permanent sales tax exemption for cribs and strollers
  • A permanent sales tax exemption for over-the-counter pet medications
  •  permanent sales tax exemption for gas stoves
  • Temporary holidays on children’s books, children’s toys, children’s athletic equipment, certain household items and clothing, disaster preparedness items, outdoor recreation items, dental and oral hygiene products, pet food, hand and power tools, energy star appliances, and natural gas.

Governor Ron DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget continues to support important staff employed by the state, particularly in hard-to-fill positions.

State employee pay raises include:

  • An across-the-board 5 percent pay increase for all state employees.
  • An additional 10 percent increase over the statewide average for certain “hard-to-hire” positions of importance for state government.
  • An increase for correctional officers to $23 per hour.

If you're a Python Hunter, The Framework for Freedom Budget includes up to $3.4 million for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove pythons from the Everglades.

Full the full proposal, you'll find that here.

2023 Florida State And County Fair Schedule

Making a list of the Florida Sate And Florida County Fair Schedule was on my calendar since early this year. That's when I realized the Charlotte County fair had already started. Guess I better get to it.

I'm a big fan of going to county fairs especially. Be it the demolition derby at the Collier County Fair, or the Moonlight Madness at the Lee County Fair. There's always something going on. And it's the one time of year I eat deep fried Oreos. Not sure why, but I need those. And you haven't lived until you ride the giant ferris wheel during Moonlight Madness. All those lights on the ground as you rotate up high into the dark sky. Magical.

We usually have tickets to give away to Lee and Collier County Fairs, check here to see if we're currently doing giveaways. Winning a four pack of unlimited ride wristbands is no joke. Just set the kids loose and meet back up a few hours later. Ride everything. Twice. Heck, ten times if you want.

So let's take a look at the Florida County Fair Schedule for 2023. I'll also include the Florida State Fair in Tampa. That one is coming up quite soon, too. Sorry I waited too long to get this out. I was watching cat videos. This list is January-March 2023.

Manatee River Fair, Palmetto

January 12-22, 2023

South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions, West Palm Beach

Missed this one, too. Here's 2024 Dates: January 12 - January 28, 2024.

Polk County Youth Fair, Bartow

January 21-27

http://www.pcyf.net/uploads/1/5/9/8/15989364/2023_schedule_of_events_-_updated_1-12-23.pdf

Charlotte County Fair, Port Charlotte

January 27-February 5, 2023

DeSoto County Fair, Arcadia

Feb 3, 2023 – Feb 11, 2023

Highlands County Fair, Sebring

February 3 - 11, 2023

Hendry County Fair and Livestock Show, Clewiston

Feb 8-12th

Florida State Fair, Tampa

FEBRUARY 9-20, 2023

Osceola County Fair, Kissimmee

February 10-19

Martin County Fair, Stuart

February 10 - 18, 2023

Hardee County Fair, Wauchula

FEBRUARY 18 - 25, 2023

Pasco County Fair, Dade City

FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2023

Southeastern Youth Fair, Ocala

February 23 to March 4, 2023

Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair, North Fort Myers

February 23  through Sunday, March 5, 2023

Glades County Youth Livestock Show, Moore Haven

February 27, 2023 - March 4, 2023

Alachua County Youth Fair, Gainesville

March 2 - 7, 2023

Central Florida Fair, Orlando

March 2nd through March 12th

Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

March 2 - March 12, 2023

Sumter County Fair, Bushnell

March 3-March 11

Bradford County Fair, Starke

March 7-12

Firefighters’ Indian River County Fair, Vero Beach

March 10th to 19th 2023

Okeechobee County Fair, Okeechobee

March 14-19

Collier County Fair, Naples

March 16 - March 26

Miami-Dade County Youth Fair and Exposition, Miami

MARCH 16 – APRIL 9, 2023

EXCEPT MARCH 27-28 & APRIL 3-4

Putnam County Agricultural Fair, East Palatka

March 17-25

Sarasota County Fair, Sarasota

March 17-26

Suwannee County Fair and Livestock Show, Live Oak

March 17-March 25

Citrus County Fair, Inverness

March 27th - April 2nd

Clay County Agricultural Fair, Green Cove Springs

March 30-April 9th

Santa Rosa County Fair, Milton

April 4th - 8th!

Joe Winner spends his days combing through memes and off beat stories to bring you the side of Florida not always seen.