By Merrilee Gasser | The Center Square
Lawmakers convened in a special session Monday to discuss putting property tax relief on the November ballot as a constitutional amendment, but it faces pushback.
The proposal put forth by Gov. Ron DeSantis would exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value and implement a complete phase out for property taxes on homesteads.
Property tax relief is widely popular among both Republican and Democratic voters. A poll conducted by Stetson University’s Center for Public Opinion Research indicates a constitutional amendment on property tax relief would easily pass. Seventy-seven percent of voters said they would support it. Eighty-four percent of Republicans said they were in favor of it along with 68% of Democrats.
A constitutional amendment needs at least 60% of the vote to be adopted.
However, the movement is not without its critics.
Gainesville City Commissioner Bryan Eastman said the governor’s proposal would cut Alachua County’s Municipal Service Taxing Unit fund, which funds the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, by approximately 35%.
“That’s a 35% hit to the tax base that pays for local law enforcement. That’s defunding the police,” Eastman said.
The governor’s proposal includes a requirement to ensure core public needs remain funded. It also calls for establishing a trust fund to give grants to local governments to assist with funding core services like law enforcement.
President of nonprofit research group the Florida Policy Project, Jeff Brandes, aired his concerns on X over the weekend and said adding a sunset provision could help cushion any potential fallout.
“A sunset is not a sign of weakness. It’s a fail-safe mechanism. If this proposal is as transformational as supporters claim, it should prove itself before becoming permanent constitutional policy. If it works, extend it or remove the sunset. If it doesn’t, Florida gets an exit ramp,” Brandes said.
He warned if local governments run the numbers and conclude the proposal would threaten core services or shift costs to renters and businesses, an organized opposition campaign would be inevitable.
“I don’t always agree with Jeffrey Brandes, but I have always found him to be serious, thoughtful, and a free thinker. I agree with a lot of what he has been saying about property taxes in Florida and wish my colleagues would take a look before choosing how to vote next week,” Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, posted on X.
The Committee on Appropriations is considering the proposal Monday with a floor vote expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.