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