BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Bradford County with Florida State Guard Director Mark Thieme on Thursday morning.
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They spoke from the Camp Blanding Joint Operations Training Center in Starke.
DeSantis and Thieme highlighted the impact of the Florida State Guard, saying its efforts during a 60-day period and 10 activations amounted to 375 days of hurricane emergency response across 18 counties in 2024.
“If we weren’t there, Floridians would’ve perished,” said Thieme.
The FSG currently has 800 members, with another class set to graduate next week, according to Thieme.
“The Florida State Guard is more than an organization — it’s a legacy,” Thieme added. “There’s nothing stronger than a volunteer.”
DeSantis reestablished the FSG in 2022 to support the National Guard during emergencies.
Last year, members were deployed to Texas for “Operation Lone Star” and to western North Carolina for border operations and Hurricane Helene response.
DeSantis said the FSG will also assist with immigration enforcement and border control in 2025.
Thieme said the organization is expected to grow to 1,000 members by June 30 and reach 1,200 by the end of the year.
Abolishing property tax?
DeSantis also spoke about property taxes, noting the financial strain on Floridians during Wednesday’s news conference.
“You have senior citizens that have fixed incomes that have to pay more property taxes because their house went from $250,000 to $1.2 million,” he said. “People are getting pinched from these property taxes. I think people need relief from that and it’s something that should be on the ballot in 2026.”
While DeSantis has not proposed a specific amendment to eliminate property taxes, he said he “plans to work on it.”
Related story: Florida lawmaker files bill to study impact of ending property tax
He also pointed to Broward County, where the budget has increased 82% over the past five years despite no significant population growth.
“It doesn’t make sense,” he said.
The governor is also looking to eliminate the tax on business rent, which he says disproportionately impacts small businesses.
“Abolishing an entire tax -- that’s a good thing,” DeSantis said. “We have plenty of revenue in the state of Florida, and it won’t hurt us.”
Local 10 News viewers can watch the press conference in the video below.
