Governor DeSantis has publicly endorsed the idea of eliminating property taxes across Florida, a move that would require a constitutional amendment approved by 60% of voters. He first voiced this stance in mid-February 2025, responding to discussions on social media by calling property taxes “oppressive and ineffective.” He suggested putting forward a bold amendment for voters to decide, emphasizing that property taxes are managed locally, not at the state level, making a statewide change a significant undertaking.
Following his comments, a related legislative step emerged. State Senator Jonathan Martin, a Republican from Fort Myers, filed Senate Bill 852. This bill doesn’t directly abolish property taxes but calls for a study by the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research to explore how Florida could eliminate them. The study would look into replacing property tax revenue with alternatives like budget cuts or consumption-based taxes, such as an expanded sales tax. The findings are due to the Florida Senate and House by October 1, 2025, ahead of the 2026 election cycle when a constitutional amendment could potentially be placed on the ballot.
DeSantis has framed this as part of a broader push for tax relief, building on his past efforts—since 2019, he’s secured billions in tax cuts for Floridians. He’s indicated he’ll work with lawmakers over the next year and a half to craft a proposal that could go before voters in 2026. However, he hasn’t detailed how the state would replace the revenue, which funds critical local services like schools, police, fire departments, and infrastructure. In 2024, for example, property taxes generated over $10 billion for Florida’s classrooms alone.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters see it as a way to ease the burden on homeowners, especially with rising property values and insurance costs. Critics, including some local leaders and policy experts, warn of the potential fallout—losing property tax revenue could gut public services unless a solid replacement plan is in place. Some have suggested leaning harder on Florida’s sales tax, boosted by tourism, but others argue this could disproportionately hit lower-income residents.
As of now, this is in the early stages. The legislative session begins March 4, 2025, and SB 852 will likely fuel debate. Any concrete change hinges on the study’s outcome and voter approval down the line. DeSantis’s backing has given the idea momentum, but it’s still a long road from proposal to reality. 17GEN4.com
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