Desantis drives the elimination of property tax in Florida in the middle of a debate

Tallahasee, Florida – the renewed reputation of Florida, governor Ron Desantis, to remedy property taxes in Florida, heat the debate among state legislators. While some weigh up the options, others express their concerns.

Relatives: Desantis urges the elimination of base taxes in Florida

“This property tax hits people and it is difficult,” said governor Ron Desantis during a press conference after his speech by the state.

He is not wrong. Since the real estate values ​​have increased in the state, the tax invoices of homeowners have increased quickly. According to a recently from the top 5 US U -Bahn areas in the Top -Us -Metro areas, in which the highest increase in property tax invoices were recorded, there are three in Florida, including Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami.

“Really, you pay the government rent. And I think a lot of people think that is wrong, ”added the governor and emphasized the philosophy behind his advance after a potential constitutional change.

What this ballot would look like is still being worked out, but even in its infancy, his call is skeptical about how it would work and what the inlet hole would fill.

“It sounds great, this is a time when the number of inflation is not that big, Florida is too expensive for many Floridians, let us reduce property taxes, but he never talks about services that we would do if we would continue with this proposal,” said State Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D-TAMPA). “Which teacher will be released … which police officer.”

Without state income tax, property taxes generate tens of billions of dollars nationwide, from which local governments for police officers, firefighters, schools and more municipal services pay.

The governor said that he would not support to increase another tax to compensate for the difference and instead examine local expenses.

“These budgets have risen dramatically, far beyond the increases in the population,” said Desantis, adding that the state's new team of Doge will go deeper into the local budget.

The governor says that the legislator should work to ask a question before the voters in this session or next year. A joint resolution (three fifth support in each chamber) could already make a proposal for the ballot in 2026.

Legislators are currently considering their options and discussing a legislation that would commission a study on the effects of eliminating property taxes and potential alternatives.

“We really take our time to make sure we do it right,” said Senator Bryan Avila (R-Hialeeah ​​Gardens), the chairman of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, who was informed about the property tax landscape this week.

“I feel quite uncomfortable with some of these broad explanations to remove property taxes,” said Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples). “I think we should warn our members of the results if we only do that,” the legislators ask to become creative in order to find paths for potential property tax relief.

Further suggestions related to property taxes were submitted in this session, including one that calls the voters to increase the exemption from Homestead Tax to $ 75,000. Another would limit the value of the seniors' houses to the value when they turned 65.

The governor's advance of eliminating property taxes renewed a call that was made almost 20 years ago by the former spokesman for the Florida House and the current secretary of the state Marco Rubio. Rubio directed similar efforts and called for an increase in sales tax to compensate for part of the differences in sales, but it failed to receive support in the Senate and from the then governor Charlie Crist in order to bring them through the finish line.