Florida voters in November will get the chance to make the Sunshine State the first in the nation to end property taxes.
The legislature voted Tuesday overwhelmingly to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would slash property taxes for many homeowners and eventually eliminate them completely.
If the ballot measure is approved, residential homeowners would save thousands on their property tax bills and many would avoid paying the tax entirely.
The plan was ushered through at the behest of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a term-limited Republican who is serving his last year in office and eyeing a 2028 presidential run.
Mr. DeSantis summoned GOP-led legislature for a special session this week to consider the proposal. He argued the plan would help homeowners remain in their homes by ending the steady annual increase in property taxes that has caused hardship for many.
Mr. DeSantis cited massive increases in property tax revenue collected by counties across Florida and evidence of millions of dollars in wasteful spending by local governments exposed by the newly created Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Residential property taxes collected by Florida’s county and local governments have climbed from $32 billion in 2019 to $60 billion this year, much of it due to raising the valuation of homes.
“If my local elected officials are unwilling to exercise financial prudence, then let the people decide how they wish to allocate their resources,” said Rep. Illeana Garcia, a Republican representing Miami-Dade County. “No one should endure the heartbreaking prospect of losing their home after diligently fulfilling their responsibilities.”
The plan passed by the Florida legislature would eliminate $150,000 from assessed property value beginning in 2027, increasing the exemption to $250,000 in 2028. The amendment would require the legislature to come up with a plan to phase out the remainder of the property tax.
The measure passed 30-9 in the Senate and 75-26 in the House.
Opponents warned the tax cuts would make it difficult for governments to fund essential services. Unlike most other states, Florida does not have an income tax and relies on property taxes, sales tax and other revenue to fund services.
“Cities and counties across Florida are asking the same question: How do we maintain services when the revenue disappears? What happens when communities across Florida are forced to choose between libraries and road maintenance, between parks and public health, between housing programs and basic services?” Sen. Bracy Davis, a Democrat representing Orlando, said.
Lawmakers made changes to the DeSantis proposal to preserve school district taxes after lobbyists warned the property tax cut by the second year would cost the state’s public schools $5 billion annually. Schools have their own millage rate and collect from residents based on the taxable value of their property.
