Florida drivers might see a $1,200 rebate approved for this year as Governor Ron DeSantis looks to support those on the road with an extra payment.
Lawmakers are looking to extend the program that expired in January so drivers continue to see 50 percent off tolls monthly. If passed, drivers would see up to $100 per month, or $1,200 yearly, in free cash. The state anticipates that the rebate helps more than 1.1 million drivers with toll passes.
To qualify, drivers must use an E-ZPass or SunPass and complete 35 or more toll road transactions monthly. It so far applies only to two-axle vehicles, meaning commercial vehicles and motorcyclists have been left out of the program.
If extended, the state would spend $450 million more to repay drivers for half off their tolls. The payments are intended to support residents as they face high face high inflation across all sectors, from gas to groceries and housing.
Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images
“Us Floridians dependent on toll roads to get to work or run their small businesses have been getting walloped at the pump and felt that pain in their wallets,” finance expert Michael Ryan, who founded michaelryanmoney.com, told Newsweek. “Getting up to $100 back per month on tolls is the equivalent of a decent grocery discount at a time when every penny counts.”
Ryan, as a Florida resident, expects the payments to continue as DeSantis and other state lawmakers stare down election season.
“Rebate programs recognize that the costs of personal mobility, whether it’s gas, insurance, maintenance or the tolls themselves, can become unbearable expenses,” Ryan said. “Offsetting those burdens is a necessity for financial stability, especially for lower-income workers.”
Other Rebate News
Florida is not the only state offering its residents some extra money.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced that older residents would receive more financial help after he signed Act 7 of 2023. The law expanded the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) to provide a larger tax cut for Pennsylvania seniors.
Due to the expansion, about 175,000 more Pennsylvanians will earn the up to a $1,000 property tax or rent rebate. Additionally, a significant number of the 430,000 who originally qualified will see their rebates increase.
Originally, homeowners who made $35,000 or less and renters who made $15,000 or less were eligible for the rebate program. Now that figure is moved to $45,000.
As inflation remains at 3.1 percent, many Americans continue to feel cash-strapped and cannot rely on any federal stimulus payments.
“This change reflects an understanding of the ongoing economic recovery challenges,” Ryan previously said. “Think of it as Pennsylvania’s way of saying, ‘We see you, and we’re here for you,’ especially during these bumpy economic times.”
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.