To: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Turnpike Enterprise, and the Governor of Florida

Petition Statement:

We, the undersigned residents of Florida, respectfully demand that the State of Florida implement toll relief for Florida-registered drivers who are disproportionately burdened by toll fees while supporting the very economy that sustains the state.

Florida's toll roads, including the Turnpike, SR-528, SR-417, and others, are essential transportation arteries for working Floridians. Yet these same residents, who already contribute through state taxes, are forced to pay tolls daily just to reach their places of employment, medical care, or education.

We Demand the Following:

Free toll access for all Florida-registered vehicles.

A low-cost annual toll pass for residents (e.g., $25/year) as an alternative.

Tourist and out-of-state vehicles to continue paying standard toll rates.

Enforcement of shorter and more accountable construction timelines on toll roads and major state roads.

We urge the state to prioritize its citizens by granting fair access to public infrastructure that they already help fund.

Policy Proposal / Brief for Legislators

Title: Florida Toll Equity Act: A Proposal to Eliminate Tolls for Florida Residents

Executive Summary:

Florida’s toll system imposes an undue financial burden on the very people who power its economy—its residents. This proposal outlines a reform framework that exempts Florida-registered vehicles from tolls or offers an affordable alternative while continuing to generate revenue from non-resident usage.

Key Points:

Economic Injustice: Workers in tourism, healthcare, education, and essential services face daily toll expenses despite contributing to state tax revenue.

Indirect Taxation: Florida residents fund emergency response, highway patrol, and some infrastructure via taxes—yet must pay again for road access.

Infrastructure Disparity: Prolonged construction and underfunded alternate routes force residents to rely on toll roads, creating an artificial paywall.

Proposed Solutions:

Toll Exemption for Florida Residents (via license plate tracking or transponder)

Optional Resident Pass (flat fee annual access)

Continued Toll Revenue from Tourists and Out-of-State Vehicles

Construction Transparency & Accountability

Benefits:

Alleviates financial stress on Florida workers.

Increases public trust and fairness.

Maintains tourism-based infrastructure revenue.

Request for Action:

We urge state lawmakers to sponsor a bill or push FDOT and Florida Turnpike Enterprise to adopt this policy through executive or legislative action.