Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) has pledged that if Gov. Ron DeSantis fails to repeal property taxes in his final months as governor, then he will finish that job if he is elected as DeSantis’ successor.
DeSantis has repeatedly called for the abolishment of homestead property taxes, but Florida lawmakers have not created legislation to accomplish that task. DeSantis has also toyed with calling a special legislative session to address property tax reforms but has yet to act on that issue.
Florida Politics reports Donalds is eager to complete what DeSantis has begun.
“We hope the legislature is successful (along with) the governor,” Donalds said in a radio interview. “If they’re not able to get anything done, we’re going to pick the ball up Day 1 as governor, and we’re going to be focused on delivering real property tax relief and trying to repeal homestead property taxes overall. That’s what we’re going to be focused on.”
Donalds’ position has shifted from his initial concerns that the elimination of property taxes would result in doubling the state sales tax. However, any repeal of property taxes would require a change to the state’s constitution, which can be achieved if a measure is on the ballot and 60% of voters approve the measure.
However, a recent poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab found only 56% of voters supported the gradual elimination taxes on homesteaded property over a 10-year period, which falls short of the 60% threshold needed to approve an amendment.
Since property taxes are set by municipalities and not by the state – and the funds collected are the way all city and county governments fund citizen services such as police, fire, roads, water, sewer, drainage, and all other necessary departments to serve the public – how can the state just repeal them? With no viable alternative to fund municipality governments whose citizens have the right to determine, at the community level, how they are governed? Is the state of Florida now going to be Big Brother and fund all services throughout the state for these cities and counties, at their whim and who they like and don’t like politically? What is there plan? As a 4th gen Florida native, I have not heard one cogent idea yet that would work and be acceptable to Floridians. I am 100% against state income tax or a giant increase in sales tax or resort tax of which both would kill our already damaged tourist and real estate industry. It is a great ploy to try and get elected but not well thought out at all – but then Rep Donalds doesnt spend a lot of time thinking things through anyway. It is all about getting elected.
Just another huge tax break for the wealthiest people in Florida. A much better solution is to double the current amount of the current homestead exemption. That brings relief to the neediest without decimating our local government’s ability to provide the most basic services.