Florida Keys Democrats

Thank you for your service to our state. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you battle cancer.

Running for governor has been one of the biggest honors of my life. Up until my diagnosis, our campaign was continuing to add staff and grow our reach throughout the state. Our polling showed a strong chance of victory, and I had been looking forward to articulating my vision for our state on the trail through the primary and into November.

I have spent the past four decades in public service, beginning as a cop on the beat in Orlando. I worked my way up and eventually had the tremendous privilege of serving as the chief of police, coordinating my city's response to the devastating attacks on September 11. Afterward, I was elected as the sheriff of Orange County, where I helped reduce crime by over thirty percent and worked to bring our community together after the Pulse Nightclub shooting. And most recently, I've worked tirelessly to keep Orange County safe and affordable as mayor.

I came to this conclusion to suspend my candidacy in the interest of my family and my health. Continuing to run for governor would have likely led to injurious effects on my prognosis. I am a fighter through and through, and now is the time to fight cancer and be there for my loved ones.

I want to thank my campaign staff for their belief in me and my vision. I want to thank all of my volunteers, supporters, and well- wishers that I've known and met at every corner of the Sunshine State. And I want to especially thank my wonderful wife, Val, and my family for all the sacrifices they've made in the interest of public service for all these years.

Jerry

Tropic Press' article about news coverage and weaknesses of the recently proposed property tax Ponzi scheme that will be on the ballot for voters in November.

Don't be fooled, voters tax burden, if not paid through property taxes, will be paid through small business taxes, sales taxes, and increased local government services fees while gutting local control over budgets. Meanwhile we will still be dealing with the affordability of every costs like gas and groceries. Voters need to get educated on the impact of this proposal.

"Property tax reduction sounds great, but, as the saying goes, the devil is in the details. During the Legislature’s regular session, this idea went nowhere. Now it is being rushed during a brief special session—after the state budget has already been passed.

It appears ill-considered, primed for unintended consequences we may regret.

The only real winner appears to be DeSantis, who can claim he lowered taxes while someone else will be stuck with figuring out how to make the scheme work when he’s gone in six months.

This feels like a train wreck in the making. It hasn’t received the study it deserves, and the concerns of local communities should be seriously considered.

Just because this is something DeSantis wants doesn’t mean the Legislature has to give it to him. And it shouldn’t."

UPDATE: Legislature OKs property tax cuts; now it will go to the voters The ballot initiative, if approved, would slash billions from local governments; where replacement funds would come from, if at all, is a question mark