A.G. Gancarski
One Democrat is one too many.
That’s the argument of Florida’s Governor, who is speaking out about a 37-person House committee designed to look at property tax reform, which DeSantis says is “including some of the most left-wing Democrats in the state of Florida.”
“If you have a legislative body that is creating a 37-member committee, they’re not doing that because they want to give you property tax relief. They’re doing that to try to kill property tax relief,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in Miami.
“This is a total dog and pony show. This is not anything that is credible.”
DeSantis took House Speaker Daniel Perez to task for rolling out the committee on the “last day of Session.” DeSantis also thinks the size of the committee means it will be ineffectual.
“I don’t think anybody is fooled when they start to see those types of things. If I wanted something done, I’d do it. I don’t put a committee of 37 people together, where they’re not going to be able to agree on anything.”
Perez, for his part, said DeSantis’ proposal to end property taxes was “exciting and provocative,” but dinged the Governor for never releasing specific bill language to tackle the issue.
Democratic Reps. Jervonte Edmonds, Anna Eskamani, Gallop Franklin, Mike Gottlieb, Dianne Hart, Christine Hunschofsky, Michele Rayner, Allison Tant, Debra Tendrich and Marie Woodson are also on the panel.
The committee is roughly 1/4 Democratic, a deal-breaker for the Governor.
“I have no interest in trying to throw a lifeline to the far left. Floridians have rejected the far left. That’s not what they want,” DeSantis said.
Perez said last week the committee will meet through the Spring, Summer and Fall and will look at five proposals the House Speaker said will be a “springboard” for the discussion.
The proposals are:
— Requiring every city, county and special district to hold a referendum on the elimination of property taxes, to drive an “honest conversation” about services.
— A $500,000 homestead property exemption for non-school property taxes, with an increase to $1 million for senior citizens and those with a Florida homestead for at least three decades.
— Allowing the Legislature to raise homestead exemption by statute as a workaround for referendums.
— Changing the homestead exemption cap from 3% a year to 3% every three years, and reducing the non-homestead level from 10% annually to 15% every three years could, Perez said, provide stability in tax payments and slow local governmental growth.
— Banning government from foreclosing for unpaid taxes.
9 comments
MH/Duuuval
May 6, 2025 at 6:29 pm
“Perez said … provide stability in tax payments and slow local governmental growth.”
Perez and his $$$ friends love this idea — they can pay upfront for any little thing their hearts desire. And their messages are returned promptly.
Tam Logston
May 6, 2025 at 7:24 pm
Seems he is trying to deflect from the recent fiasco with mis-appropriated funds and his wife’s HOPE Charity.
Along for the Ride
May 7, 2025 at 10:24 am
I wonder if and when someone will investigate it.
Michael K
May 7, 2025 at 2:28 am
The governor might recall his oath to serve all Floridians. Perhaps he has forgotten that NPAs and Democrats are also taxpayers and deserve retention.
But he whines away and tries to avoid responsibility and deflect criticism for grifting.
Along for the Ride
May 7, 2025 at 10:25 am
He feels like he only servers or controls the GOP people and the rest of us dont matter. Sad right?
Where's our $10M
May 7, 2025 at 8:06 am
The Governor’s constant name-calling (‘far left”) and divisive politics sicken us. I love his quote about “if I want something done, I do it” – seems apt for the $10M that was diverted away from the taxpayers to fund a political fight against a citizen’s initiative to amend our State Constitution. For Ron, Might Makes Right. Maybe one day he will be in prison where he belongs. He is a disgrace.
Along for the Ride
May 7, 2025 at 10:25 am
I hope we keep pressure on our reps to investigate him more
Ocean Joe
May 7, 2025 at 8:10 am
If you’ve ever seen a real dog and pony show, it’s far superior to anything Ron Desantis has ever accomplished, IMO. The dog jumps up on the horse’s back and runs in a circle. While it’s comparable to the way our governor and legislature interact, it seems a lot more productive.
Sun
May 8, 2025 at 2:27 pm
No property taxes ..no state taxes….no higher tax flow ..so what happens when they all need federal disaster cash…take it all from NY or toll funds will pay
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