A proposal to phase out non-school homestead property taxes moved forward in Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature.
CBS News reports the House State Affairs Committee voted along party lines to back a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 203), which is designed to increase the homestead exemption by $100,000 over the next decade, with the goal of a full exemption for non-school taxes in 2037. If this proposal goes on the November ballot, it will require approval by 60% of voters before it becomes state law.
The proposal also seeks to prevent local funding cuts for law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders. Rep. Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay), who sponsored the proposal, said local officials need to begin “to live within their means” and consider sharing services with other localities.
“By reducing taxes over years, we are giving local governments time to adjust to new revenue levels, and empowering them to find responsible solutions,” said Miller.
However, Charles Chapman, legislative consultant for the Florida League of Cities, warned this would create more problems than solutions.
“This is truly not tax relief,” said Chapman. “It’ll end up becoming a tax shift, where costs do not disappear. The burden will shift to businesses, the renters, because fees, assessments, higher non-homestead millage rates could replace the homestead tax break.”
