Florida Governor Candidates Address Utility Rates Amid Rising Living Costs

Florida gubernatorial candidates are addressing rising living costs, focusing mainly on insurance, taxes, healthcare, and education, but utility rate increases have received limited mention. Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, highlights regulatory capture by the utility industry and advocates for campaign finance reform and capping utility companies' allowed profit margins to the national average. Florida Power & Light's recent approved rate hike could add $7 billion to electric bills over the next four years, impacting millions of residents. This increase contributes to the broader financial pressures Floridians face amid surging property and auto insurance rates, inflation, and upcoming healthcare premium hikes. Republican candidates, such as former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and investor James Fishback, emphasize affordability through tax reductions, discouraging frivolous lawsuits, and promoting competition, though utility monopolies present challenges. Meanwhile, Democrat Jerry Demings proposes expanding renewable energy and improving energy efficiency standards as strategies to lower utility costs. Election campaigns are generally sparse on detailed utility policy but convey a shared commitment to addressing affordability issues for Florida families.