(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Florida residents to take advantage of the state’s sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies.
DeSantis announced during a news conference on Tuesday in Fort Myers that many items will be sales tax-free to help residents prepare for potential disastrous weather events. Hurricane season started on June 1 and runs through Nov. 1.
“We are gonna be prepared,” DeSantis said. “We have put a lot of emphasis in this state on recovery and response. I know when Ian came, millions and millions of people were restored to power across the state within a matter of 48 hours.”
DeSantis said that this was the fastest restoration after a major hurricane in American history and added that local and state responders worked hard to get supplies and get major lifelines like bridges up and running again.
“There’s certain things that your local government will need to prepare for and execute and then, of course, the state, we have a role and we try to lead,” DeSantis said. “We don’t typically depend on the federal government for anything because we figure that’s not a place you wanna be.”
DeSantis said that individual Floridians have a role to play in ensuring they are prepared and emphasized the importance of having a sound preparedness plan. DeSantis added that they now recommend that households have at least seven days of food, water and fuel.
“We’re not just saying do this; we’re actually helping people make this happen,” DeSantis said. “We are now in the midst — and this goes till June 14th — of our disaster tax preparedness holiday for sales tax.”
Sales tax-free items include portable generators, power banks, batteries, flashlights, pet items, toys, tarps, water, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors and portable radios for less than $50.
DeSantis said that they have also added pet evacuation supplies to the disaster preparedness tax holiday. These include wet and dry cat and dog food, cat litter pans, water bowls, pet waste disposal bags, collars, muzzles, leashes and pet beds and carriers.
A second disaster preparedness sales tax holiday is slated to begin during the peak of hurricane season from Aug. 24 through Sept. 6 so residents can replenish supplies. DeSantis said it’s important for people to get what they need now.