Sen. Brodeur highlights session accomplishments, combatting drug usage, tax relief

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Lake Mary, spoke to Florida’s Voice about various pieces of legislation he was able to push forward during the 2024 Legislative Session.

He also touched on significant aspects of the budget relating to tax relief for Floridians.

Brodeur said that since Florida’s economy doesn’t have a state income tax, it tends to ebb and flow as the government relies heavily on certain sectors of tax collection.

He pointed out how the state has been “very disciplined” as it is saving large amounts of its revenue despite its significant increase in total income from population growth.

“So we’ve been very disciplined about giving continued tax breaks for back to school and hurricane and tools and those things we know make our economy tick and give relief to families, while at the same time making sure that we’ve given more money education this year than we’ve ever given before,” he said.

Brodeur specifically mentioned his work in combatting drug usage through legislation such as SB 1512, which adds tianeptine to the list of Schedule I controlled substances.

“We know that if kids are not exposed to [drugs], they typically just don’t develop that habit as an adult,” he said.

“This is going to lead to them being more productive, having less issues as they get older, that sort of thing,” he added. “But number two, I think we one of the other things that we overlook, that Florida does really well, is what we do relative to other states.”

Brodeur explained that if certain drugs are more difficult to get in Florida then they are elsewhere, it makes the state better for families compared to other places.

“Granted, people are still going to get THC, granted. But, if it’s a little harder to get here or a little harder to access those benefits or it’s a little more difficult to be here than it is everywhere else, we are going to be that much better relative to other states, and that’s where I think we’re winning as well,” he said.

The controlled substances legislation passed unanimously in both chambers and is expected to be signed by the governor next.

Brodeur also focused on budget appropriations dedicated to protecting Florida’s natural environment.

“We’ve done over $300 million this year for Florida Forever,” he said. “That’s the state’s program that helps purchase, maintain, restore and really take care of the land that we have in the state of Florida.

“As we think of things like the wildlife corridor, the Rural and Family Lands [Protection] Program, these are really, really important programs that allow both families and landowners to continue to use their land, while protecting it in perpetuity for wildlife and our apex species so that we can preserve what it is that makes Florida very special,” Brodeur added.

The budget has not yet been signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and with his line item veto authority, he is able to slash certain parts of the legislature’s funding without requiring a complete appropriations do-over.