DeSantis first publicly floated the thought in a social media publish final month, however included it in his State of the State tackle on March 4.
“Whereas Florida property values have surged in recent times, this has come at a value to taxpayers squeezed by rising native authorities property taxes,” he stated. “Escalating assessments have created a gusher of income for native governments — and plenty of in Florida have seen their budgets enhance far past the expansion in inhabitants. Taxpayers want aid.”
DeSantis equated the idea of property taxes to “renting from the federal government” “simply to dwell in your personal property.” He stated he was conscious that lawmakers have been learning the difficulty to probably place on the poll in 2026, which might possible imply a revision to the state’s structure.
Legislative deliberation has been taking place rapidly, with the Journal reporting that lawmakers have filed a number of potential payments on the matter starting from measures designed to repeal property taxes altogether, to those who could provide extra focused aid for sure teams like seniors.
On Thursday, the Florida Legislature handed a invoice modification in a committee assembly that may “prohibit consideration of any change or enchancment made to homestead property to mitigate flood harm in figuring out assessed worth” for tax functions.
“Hurricanes and different storms that lead to flooding have precipitated billions of {dollars} in harm throughout all components of Florida,” an evaluation of the modification reads. “Flooding is certainly one of Florida’s most frequent hazards, and may occur any time of the yr. Flood insurance coverage can help with restoration after a flooding incident, however most house owner’s insurance coverage doesn’t cowl flood harm.”
However one other massive driver of the rising opposition to rising property taxes is its impression on the older inhabitants, a big — and rising — section of Florida’s total inhabitants.
“You’re seeing a groundswell of opposition to property taxes usually,” based on Jared Walczak, VP of state tasks on the Tax Basis, a world analysis suppose tank. The backlash is “harking back to a wave of protest within the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties that triggered poll measures together with Proposition 13 in California that capped property taxes,” the report stated primarily based on Walczak’s enter.
Wyoming, Kansas and Montana are equally weighing strategies for reining in property taxes, he defined, however North Dakota voters this previous November rejected a poll initiative that may’ve eradicated property taxes. Native media in that state reported that the last word nail within the coffin for the measure there was voter considerations associated to a disruption in each native and state providers, since property taxes are levied by native authorities.
In Florida, an identical debate is rising, with opponents saying that the ensuing loss to authorities providers would make the state’s residents worse off, not higher.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat representing Orlando and components of its jap flank, informed the outlet that she may assist focused aid for older Floridians however stated an outright ban or rescission of property taxes could be “a horrible concept.” It may additionally pressure the state to lift the gross sales tax, she stated.
Republican state Sen. Don Gaetz additionally voiced skepticism, questioning what may exchange native property taxes with out impacting constituents’ skill to attach with providers.