Gov. DeSantis distances himself from property tax cut measure
DeSantis said Monday he will vote for the ballot item regarding homestead property taxes, but "what the Legislature did wasn't my proposal."
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DeSantis said Monday he will vote for the ballot item regarding homestead property taxes, but "what the Legislature did wasn't my proposal."
Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a large property tax cut ballot measure central to his message in his last year in office, and on Wednesday, he signed two bills in line with that priority.
The amendment aims to reduce property taxes by raising the homestead exemption—the value of a home shielded from non-school taxes—from $50,000 to $250,000 over the next two years.
Florida economists project a proposed property tax cut amendment would reduce local government revenues by $46 billion over five years.
The group is called Save Our Voters From Misleading Ballot Language and the two officials are Thomas Campenni, former Mayor of Stuart, and Michael Davey, former Mayor of Key Biscayne.
The specific language that will appear on the ballot is: "SAVE OUR HOMES FROM EXCESSIVE PROPERTY TAXES".
The proposal, which voters will decide in November, would increase the homestead exemption and reduce taxable home values.
Florida voters will decide in November whether to dramatically expand homestead property tax exemptions after lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment.
A major property tax cut plan devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis was changed by lawmakers Monday ahead of scheduled floor votes Tuesday.
The official bill calls for a $150,000 homestead exemption in 2027, followed by a $250,000 exemption in 2028. The legislature would then be tasked with creating a long-term plan for the following years.
While many applaud the proposal, cities are chiming in, wondering what will happen when they lose that income.
DeSantis called for the Legislature to convene Monday to consider his proposal.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Vicki Lopez said essential services would remain the top priority, but added that the debate could push governments to reevaluate their responsibilities.
Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo released more information on the program during a Wednesday morning news conference.
Any change to the property tax system would have to be approved by voters in November, and it seemed unlikely the House plan was going to be approved by the Senate.
The median property tax bill in the U.S. soared 30% between 2019 and 2024, compounding the financial pressures on millions of Americans.
If 60 percent of voters approve the measure, it would take effect in the 2027 tax year, but the Senate has not advanced anything similar yet.
The House Ways & Means Committee voted 10-4 along party lines to limit the cap from 3% increase a year to 3% increase over 3 years.
For more than a year, Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he wants to do away with all homesteaded property taxes, arguing homeowners should not have to pay rent to the government.
As the Florida Senate continues to ponder an approach to lowering property taxes, House committees on Thursday advanced two tax-cut proposals that could go before voters.
Jim DeFede discusses Governor Ron DeSantis' eighth and final State of the State address with House Speaker Danny Perez.
A House proposal that would ask voters to phase out non-school homestead property taxes moved forward Thursday, as lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis try to reach an agreement on a November ballot measure.
Proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for Florida homeowners are continuing to move through the House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services.
A Florida state lawmaker is advancing a proposal that would allow homeowners aged 65 and older who benefit from the homestead exemption to stop paying local property taxes
Several proposals that would eliminate or reduce some Florida property taxes have started making their way through the House in Tallahassee on Thursday.
