Ron DeSantis pushes permanent Florida sales-tax exemption for gas stoves

MarketWatch ^ | February 1, 2023 | Rachel Beals

[Golden Eagle]

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida and a likely 2024 candidate for president, delivered on an earlier promise Wednesday when he said new gas stoves — in fact, all gas appliances — should be exempt from his state’s sales tax.

DeSantis rolled out the first budget of his second term, and among the proposed breaks for taxpayers is a $7 million permanent exemption on appliances fueled by combustible gas, such as natural gas propane, butane, liquefied petroleum gas and syngas.

The move comes as the debate over gas stoves has heated up in recent weeks. In an interview with Bloomberg in early January, an official from the Consumer Product Safety Commission talked about the possibility of a ban on the sale of gas stoves, which some studies have found produce emissions that contribute to climate change and also pose health risks inside the home.

The official, Richard Trumka Jr., later tweeted: “To be clear, CPSC isn’t coming for anyone’s gas stoves. Regulations apply to new products. For Americans who CHOOSE to switch from gas to electric, there is support available — Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a $840 rebate.”

The CPSC later walked back its comments, but the agency also said it would conduct more research this year.

[GailA]

We replaced the whole Hav/Vac unit as it quit working, and added a Big Tankless hot water hearer, all gas, but electric starters. So I can guess the cost. Had an old small regular hot water tank, staggering showers, and other things to have enough hot water.