Ron DeSantis, Adam Putnam Promise Not to Raise Taxes if Elected Governor

By: Sunshine State News
Ron DeSantis, Grover Norquist and Adam Putnam, the two leading Republican gubernatorial candidates in Florida–U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis and state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam–have signed a pledge from Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) promising not to raise taxes.

On Monday, ATR announced that both of the Republicans signed ATR’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

“I applaud Ron DeSantis and Adam Putnam for making this important commitment to Florida taxpayers. Florida Republican primary voters can go to the polls confident that the winner of the Republican primary will be a candidate who has committed to protecting taxpayers,” said Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform.

“Following passage of federal tax reform, the United States has become an even more attractive destination for investment,” Norquist added. “Avoiding tax increases will ensure Florida remains at the top of the list of attractive destinations in the U.S. for the expected influx of global capital. By signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, the leading Republicans running for governor have made clear that they recognize the importance of keeping Florida a low tax state.”

Norquist pointed to the state’s continued economic growth with no income tax and a healthy business climate.

Gov. Rick Scott signed the pledge. During his two terms as governor of Florida, Scott has presided over an economic boom. When he took over in Tallahassee at the start of 2011, the state’s unemployment rate stood at almost 11 percent. As of last month, the state’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. Facing term limits this year, Scott is challenging U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., in one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.

Recent polls show DeSantis, who has President Donald Trump’s support, ahead of Putnam. They meet in the primary which will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 28.