The speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives fired back at comments made by Gov. Ron DeSantis over the legislature’s multiple proposals for property tax relief.
The Tallahassee Democrat reports House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Republican, took umbrage over DeSantis’ claims that the proposals being put forth, including seven constitutional amendments, were “all milquetoast – there’s not one proposal that people would get excited about, not one. They’re total half measures, which is not what people are asking for. People want to be bold.”
DeSantis has advocated for an elimination of property taxes, which was not among the House’s proposals. He also complained that a surplus amount of proposed constitutional amendments will cancel each other out and fail to get the 60% voter approval needed to become law.
For his part, Perez questioned the motives behind DeSantis’ remarks.
“The governor’s comments can only be interpreted in two ways: Either he’s being small and petty, or he has just revealed something significant today about his mysterious property tax plan,” Perez said in an emailed statement. “The House has proposed eliminating all non-school homestead property taxes. The governor weirdly called that ‘milquetoast.’ That can only mean the governor has just announced that he will be proposing to abolish all property taxes, including school taxes.”
Perez added, “I look forward to seeing the governor’s proposed budget where he makes up for the $21 billion for schools that he plans to cut.”
The Florida Senate has yet to put forward its proposals on property tax reform. The Florida legislature returns to session on Jan. 13.
DeSantis is only looking at part of the issue! I thank the state Congress for keeping the state and counties economies in focus! For example, Pasco county is booming in housing building which will require substantially more revenue to support the incoming people! Eliminating property taxes will put counties in a bind to fully support the expansion
Peter in Spring Hill
DeSantis is spot on. He is courageous and putting the People of Florida first. We all see what the Florida House is doing. Shameful. They should get behind this great Governor.
First of all, if everybody paid property taxes, then all of us could get a reduction. All the non-profits don’t pay property taxes, but if they did, then we could all get a reduction.