News Summary
Blaise Ingoglia has officially taken on the role of Chief Financial Officer of Florida. A longtime political ally of Governor Ron DeSantis, he plans to focus on auditing local government spending and holding insurance companies accountable. Ingoglia aims for a significant reduction in property taxes without compromising services, signaling a proactive approach in his new position. Despite some criticisms regarding his alignment with DeSantis, he asserts his commitment to independent decision-making while tackling financial oversight in the state.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Blaise Ingoglia was sworn in as Florida’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on Monday. Ingoglia, a long-time political ally of Governor Ron DeSantis, has been a state legislator since 2014 and is known for his background as a homebuilder in Spring Hill. He steps into the role following the departure of former CFO Jimmy Patronis, who won a recent special election for a congressional seat.
As CFO, Ingoglia aims to prioritize local-government spending audits and hold insurance companies accountable for their practices. His plans include conducting comprehensive audits to ensure local governments are utilizing taxpayer money effectively. This initiative supports a broader strategy from DeSantis, aimed at potentially reducing or eliminating property taxes on homesteaded properties by 2026.
Ingoglia emphasized his commitment to enforcing regulations on insurance companies and indicated an intention to take firm action against any that exhibit misconduct. He stated a determination to prevent trial attorneys and insurance companies from exploiting loopholes within the system.
Critics have expressed concerns regarding Ingoglia’s perceived independence from DeSantis, particularly in light of his past support for a controversial immigrant-detention center funded by the state. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell questioned his ability to operate independently, hinting at the potential ramifications of Ingoglia’s close alignment with the Governor.
Despite these criticisms, Ingoglia asserted that his role will allow for independent decision-making while still embracing the ideological framework set forth by DeSantis. One of his specific goals includes a potential 10 to 15% reduction in property taxes without compromising essential services to Floridians.
In preparation for his new duties, Ingoglia has already announced targeted audits of local finances in Gainesville and Broward County, showcasing his commitment to transparency and accountability in government spending. He characterized his appointment as an honor and pledged to advocate for the interests of taxpayers and consumers across the state.
Ingoglia is expected to face competition in the 2026 Republican primary for CFO, particularly from state Senator Joe Gruters, with whom he shares a history as past chairmen of the Republican Party of Florida. This political backdrop sets the stage for a potentially competitive race as both candidates bring considerable experience to the electoral table.
The CFO’s office oversees the state Department of Financial Services, which was created in 1998 through a constitutional amendment. Prior to Ingoglia’s appointment, Susan Miller served as the interim head of the Department. Ingoglia currently becomes the second nominee from DeSantis to hold one of the three elected Cabinet positions, following the recent appointment of James Uthmeier as attorney general earlier this year.
Shortly after Ingoglia’s swearing-in, the Cabinet members were scheduled to convene as the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which positions Ingoglia in a pivotal role within the state’s government infrastructure from the onset of his term.
With a focused agenda leveraging local audits and insurance regulation, Ingoglia’s tenure as CFO is poised to initiate significant financial monitoring within Florida, shaping the state’s fiscal policy well into the coming years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Blaise Ingoglia Appointed as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer
Leadership Changes and Expansion in Florida’s Banking Sector
Bethany Corum Becomes First Female President of Capital City Bank
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Announces Leadership Transition
Capital Health Plan Invests in FSU College of Medicine
Florida A&M University Highlights Finalists for President Position
Klingenstein Fields Advisors Appoints New Managing Director
Tallahassee Faces Backlash Over TPD’s ICE Agreement
Republicans Secure Narrow Wins in Florida Special Elections
Tallahassee Man Sentenced to Three Years for Multiple Crimes
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: Ingoglia Eyes Local Spending, Insurance
- My News 13: Florida Chief Financial Officer
- WTSP: Shop Around for Insurance Experts in Florida
- ABC Action News: Ingoglia Outlines CFO Agenda
- Your Sun: Ingoglia Eyes Local Spending, Insurance
- Wikipedia: Chief Financial Officer
- Google Search: Blaise Ingoglia
- Google Scholar: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chief Financial Officer
- Google News: Blaise Ingoglia
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
