TAMPA, FL— Today, gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner and Tampa Bay area residents gathered for a kitchen table discussion and press conference on Florida’s growing affordability crisis and skyrocketing electricity costs straining household budgets across the state.
Residents shared firsthand accounts of a cost-of-living environment that has become increasingly unsustainable. They pointed to financial pressures from higher housing costs, growing property taxes, and climbing utility bills that are choking families ability to get ahead.
“For most Floridians, it has never been harder to cover the cost of living than it is today,” said Temple Terrace resident, Roxanne Buntin. “Every month, it feels like we’re falling further behind; our wages are being stretched thin. We have made cut backs, but what about the families who are having to choose between paying the electric bill on time, or skipping out on an important medication that month? Something has to change.”
The roundtable discussion emphasized that electricity— once a stable and predictable household expense— has become one of the fastest-growing monthly costs for families.
They also pointed out how Florida’s regulatory structure allows utilities, overseen by the Public Service Commission, to earn guaranteed profits based on how much they spend delivering electricity, rather than how efficiently they operate.
“If that seems backwards, it’s because it is,” Paul Renner said. “Utilities are rewarded for spending more, instead of saving customers money. That means Florida families end up paying the price for inefficiency, and that’s a major driver of this affordability crisis.”
Focusing on energy policy, Renner called for legislation built around three core principles: requiring utilities to provide the lowest-cost electricity possible; ensuring energy sources are domestically produced; and guaranteeing reliability of service during periods of high demand.
“The reality is that your electric bill is high not because it has to be, but because the system is set up that way. We will change that system so utilities do well only when customers do well. We will not allow for incentives that reward inefficient spending or allow utilities to pursue a green new scam agenda,” Renner said.
The discussion also addressed concerns about Florida’s current energy sources, including increased reliance on solar power, the sourcing of materials from foreign adversaries, and potential risks to grid reliability. Tampa Bay residents raised concerns about how the demand from large-scale AI data centers could further strain the grid and increase costs for residents.
Moreover, Renner outlined a comprehensive series of reforms aimed at addressing affordability and reducing the financial burden on all Floridians— not just on energy, but across the full spectrum of household expenses. His plan includes eliminating homestead property taxes to provide immediate and lasting relief for homeowners; cutting taxes for small businesses so they can expand, hire more workers, and raise wages; and lastly he previewed a forthcoming proposal to lower insurance costs, another major driver of financial strain in the state.
“This is about putting money back in Floridians pockets across the board. When you lower property taxes, reduce insurance premiums, and bring down utility costs, you create real breathing room for families who are struggling to keep up. Policy changes will be necessary to pursue the most affordable and reliable path for these rising energy costs. But rest assured, as your governor, I will take on the status quo. Instead, I will put Florida First, which means reducing costs and making our state more affordable again, so that consumers don’t just get by, they can get ahead,” Renner concluded.