Gov. DeSantis spends taxpayer dollars on air taxis

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed new legislation committing taxpayer dollars to the development of air taxi infrastructure. The measure, HB 1093, authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation to fund up to 100 percent of the cost of building public vertiports — specialized hubs for air taxis — if federal funding is unavailable. If federal dollars are secured, the state can still cover up to 80 percent of the remaining nonfederal share.

The bill takes effect July 1. It contrasts with Florida’s overall de-prioritization of transit under DeSantis. The governor has opposed the use of state dollars for major rail projects while backing policies that shift costs to local governments. He has previously said the state would not fund expansions of privately operated passenger rail and has supported transportation plans that prioritize road construction. Those decisions undercut investments in systems that move large numbers of people and directly address traffic congestion. Air taxis, by comparison, are unlikely to measurably impact traffic.

Still, Florida Republicans are attempting to poition the state as a national leader in advanced air mobility, including a 2025 law directing state agencies to develop a coordinated plan for integrating air taxis into the transportation system. State officials have also pointed to testing at the SunTrax facility in Polk County and industry partnerships as signs of progress.

The state’s push toward air taxis has drawn skepticism from some residents and transportation advocates in the Tampa Bay region, who argue taxpayer dollars would be better spent on more established transit options like rail. Critics contend that while air taxis may offer a future alternative for a few travelers, they are unlikely to address broader congestion and capacity challenges. Meanwhile, the state is pulling back on projects that attempt to address congestion at scale.

With the new law in place, Florida is expanding its financial commitment to air taxi infrastructure, even as debate continues over whether the investment represents a forward-looking transportation strategy or a diversion from more substantial fixes.