Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried is once again calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to take immediate action on Florida’s unaffordability crisis by issuing an emergency declaration needed to allow the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to then take action under its gasoline regulatory authority allowing gasoline retailers to sell gasoline below cost to customers. Commissioner Fried is also urging the Governor to enact Florida’s one-month gas tax break now when Floridians need it most with summer travel and hurricane preparedness, rather than wait until October.
Video of Commissioner Fried’s call to action can be viewed here.
“Three weeks ago, I called on Governor DeSantis to issue an emergency order to help Floridians facing high fuel prices, but for three weeks, the Governor has remained silent and failed to act to help consumers. Even worse, the Governor is waiting to enact Florida’s one-month gas tax break until October – one month from the election – instead of now when consumers need it most with travel increased during summer months and demand increased during hurricane season,” said Commissioner Fried. “We all need to do everything we can to help Floridians save money and lower the cost of living in our state – which is what my department remains focused on, and why I am again calling on the Governor to join us in our efforts and work with us to help the people of our state.”
Background: On May 19, Commissioner Fried wrote to Governor DeSantis calling for an emergency declaration to help combat the high cost of food and gas in Florida, which would empower FDACS to then take emergency action under its gasoline regulatory authority. She also announced in May an emergency rule allowing all fuel suppliers to utilize additional fuel types to secure a consistent fuel supply and alleviate additional strain Florida’s fuel market. Commissioner Fried and the dedicated officers of the FDACS Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and the inspectors of the FDACS Division of Consumer Services have made protecting Floridians at the pump a top priority, protecting consumers and businesses from crimes such as gas pump skimmers, pump tampering, and fuel theft.
