property taxes

The report says that new property tax reforms proposed in the state legislature would have drastic consequences on municipalities' ability to provide parks, roadway improvements and other services.

Broward leaders expressed their concerns with property tax reform, confusion over gun laws, and frustrations with law enforcement funding.

As Florida’s Republican leaders consider overhauling the state’s property tax system, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently zeroed in on tax changes for primary homes, or homestead properties.

Counties and cities borrow billions of dollars for all kinds of expensive projects. They pledge future property tax revenues to pay back their lenders. Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to reduce or eliminate some property taxes, leaving a lot of uncertainty of how the changes may impact local government bonds.

Counties like Pinellas and Hillsborough get as much as one-third of their revenue from property taxes. If these are eliminated, a study shows services could be cut, or other taxes would have to go up.

Reducing or eliminating most local property taxes is a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis as he enters the final year of his last term. Florida Keys Rep. Jim Mooney, a Republican, thinks lawmakers should focus their efforts on bringing down the cost of property insurance instead. “We don't get a lot of complaints about property taxes,” he said.

On "The Florida Roundup," Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, digs into reducing property taxes. He said the House is trying to get ideas out there to stir a conversation.

If a constitutional amendment to significantly reduce or eliminate property taxes were on the ballot, 65% would support that. Only 15% oppose it, with 20% unsure.

Florida voters will have the final say. Property tax proposals are expected to appear on the 2026 election ballot.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing lawmakers to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to reduce or eliminate taxes on homesteaded properties. As it gears up for the 2026 legislative session, the House Select Committee on Property Taxes on Monday received presentations about issues such as school funding and rural “fiscally constrained” counties that have limited tax bases.

State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, from Marion County, revealed his “Freedom 1,2,3” proposal to reporters during a Zoom press conference on Tuesday. The move came months after Gov. Ron DeSantis first pressured state lawmakers to eliminate the tax.

Palm Beach County’s unremitting growth and a relentless surge in property values are fueling a $457 million increase in local government tax collections for the upcoming year, data analyzed by Stet News shows.