DeSantis signs multiple bills while campaigning.

Ron DeSantis has been busy the last week since officially launching his bid for the presidency. Amid a flurry of campaign appearances in his own state and Iowa, the Florida governor continues to govern.

DeSantis has signed dozens of bills that are still landing on his desk after the legislative session that concluded on May 5. Among the most significant were packages aimed at families and children, governor’s office spokesman Jeremy Redfern told The Epoch Times.

“Because of President Biden’s disastrous economic policies, Florida families are feeling the pressure of inflation in their wallets,” DeSantis said, while signing the tax-relief package on May 25.

“But in Florida, we are ensuring that our state’s economic success gets passed on to the people who made it possible. I will continue to push smart fiscal policy that will allow Florida families to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pocket. Stronger families make for a stronger Florida.”

Tax-Relief for Floridians

• $234 million goes to permanent sales-tax exemptions for baby and toddler necessities such as diapers, wipes, strollers, playpens, clothing, and shoes.
• A temporary “Freedom Summer” sales-tax holiday provides $230 million in relief on taxes for outdoor recreation and entertainment between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• The Back to School sales-tax holiday has been expanded to four weeks annually—two in the fall and two in the spring—adding up to $161 million in tax relief for Floridians.
• A permanent sales-tax exemption on hygiene products such as toothpaste and toothbrushes is valued at $67 million.
• A sales-tax holiday on emergency preparedness purchases for families and pets, a significant item during Florida’s hurricane season, is worth $144 million.
• Highway toll rebates for Florida residents, which began on Jan. 1, will top $500 million.
• Live Local Act tax credits will assist first-time homebuyers who are teachers, first responders, veterans, or active-duty military buy homes closer to their jobs. Those will add up to $854 million.
• One of several smaller measures included is an estimated $7 million in relief through a one-year sales-tax exemption on gas stoves. It’s DeSantis’s response to progressive efforts to ban gas stoves across the nation.

Help for Military Families in Florida

Florida is home to 1.5 million veterans, DeSantis’s office noted. On May 26, he signed bills meant to improve their quality of life.

“Florida is the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation and, through this legislation, we are further supporting our military, veterans, and their families with the resources they need while they are serving and after they have fulfilled their duty,” DeSantis said.

• One measure gives college credits for combat medic training and education to veterans seeking a nursing degree.
• Another establishes the Office of Veteran Licensure Services within the Department of Health to help veterans and their spouses seeking health care licensure with access, education, training, and employment.
• Another office that was created—the Division of Long-Term Care within the Florida Department

Another legislative package supports active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Yet another helps school districts create music education programs for kindergarten through 2nd-grade students.

The governor’s office also pointed to a raft of water-quality and conservation measures included in a bill he signed on May 30.

That measure, House Bill 1379, enhances protections for the Indian River Lagoon, expands the existing wastewater grant program, strengthens its plans for managing the state’s water basins, requires local governments to improve their long-term planning on water and sewer projects, and dedicates $100 million annually for the Florida Forever conservation land acquisition program.