Beer and fuel prices about to climb in state already hit by inflation

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Posted by AI on 2025-05-15 09:06:19 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-06 04:06:06

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BEER AND fuel prices are set to climb even higher in Florida, with lawmakers voting to increase taxes on these items just as inflation grips the nation. But that's not all: voters in the state also recently approved a ballot measure that could lead to even higher prices for these items. Here's what you need to know about the latest increases, and how they impact you.

Yesterday, October 19, Florida's Senate voted 30-10 to raise taxes on beer and alcohol, hard liquor, and fuel in what officials say is an effort to boost funding for infrastructure repairs and education. The bill, if signed into law, would increase the price you pay for a six-pack by roughly $0.18, while doubling the current tax of $0.16 per gallon of gasoline and increasing the tax on diesel fuel by 20%.

This vote comes at a time when inflation is already hitting Floridians hard, with financial woes exacerbated by the ongoing supply chain crisis, and increased costs of living in a state increasingly prone to climate disasters.

This tax hike is somewhat unusual in that lawmakers are explicitly clear on how the funds will be used, pledging that the money will not go towards filling general funds gaps, but rather specific projects. This appears to be an attempt to head off the criticism that always accompanies tax hikes. These tax hikes will be added to an already squeezed population: Florida's unemployment rate is at a record low, which in theory could allow lawmakers to argue that the economic strength should allow people to shoulder these additional costs.

These tax hikes will likely hit the poorest households the hardest, especially those in rural or inland areas, who were already struggling with the rising costs of necessities, and for whom six packs and tankfuls of gas are not discretionary expenses.

It remains to be seen whether the bill will be signed into law, and how voters will react to this latest hit to their pocketbooks.

Conclusion:

With these latest tax hikes, the screws are being turned on Florida's taxpayers, who are already feeling the pinch of inflation and other increases. It's not clear whether the bill will become law, but if it does, it's worth keeping in mind that these increases are ostensibly for specific infrastructure projects, though how they'll be allocated in practice is another question.

For now, these proposals have created another point of discussion for candidates running for office ahead of the midterm elections, as the debate over how to fund infrastructure, education, and other critical needs continues.

Go!