Jacob Ogles
Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed $1 million for a study on the potential impacts of eliminating the property tax in Florida.
DeSantis, at a news conference in Wildwood, said officials don’t need more data while also calling for a ballot measure next year to kill ad valorem taxes on homesteaded property.
“We know what needs to be done, so let’s just do it,” DeSantis said, “and we will do it.”
The funding was earmarked for the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) to conduct a study of the state’s property tax structure and the subsequent spending of property tax revenue by local governments, with a focus on the taxation of homestead property.
The study originated in tax legislation (HB 7031), which required the study’s completion by Nov. 1.
But DeSantis said he isn’t interested in a government analysis, and he criticized the Legislature for including the study in its budget.
“Now there was actually a provision they put in the tax for a million dollars to this bureaucracy in Tallahassee called EDR,” DeSantis said, decrying it as “a state version” of the Congressional Budget Office.
“I’ve been very nonplussed by their analysis. So I vetoed that because we don’t need to give a bureaucracy money to study this.”
However, DeSantis has repeatedly made it clear that he wants to eliminate property taxes for homeowners. He called on the Legislature next year to vote on a constitutional amendment to be placed on the 2026 ballot, which would eliminate local governments’ ability to assess such levies.
“I do not think you should have to pay just for the privilege of living in a house you already own. Now, we’ve run numbers on this stuff,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to do a lot of work over the next couple of months. But ultimately, you’re going to need to draft a joint resolution, and both houses are going to have to pass it. And then the voters are going to have to approve it.”
For his part, Senate President Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican, said he is in favor of immediately pursuing a proposal to eliminate property taxes.
“We’re excited and energized about the momentum surrounding property tax relief. We are with the Governor and running to the fight,” Albritton told Florida Politics.
“There are a lot of ideas out there, and we look forward to exploring the possibilities over the next several months. Ultimately, Florida voters will have a choice next November, and they will be the ones to decide whether or not to make property tax reform a reality.”
Rep. Lawrence McClure, a Dover Republican and House Budget Committee Chair, said the study originated as a Senate idea.
“That was a Senate initiative. The House is the only chamber that has actual policy options being vetted by its members,” McClure said. “We still look forward to hearing the Senate and Governor’s thoughts on policy regarding property taxes. The House has proven we are all in for recurring tax cuts.”
Democrats in the Legislature expressed concern about moving too quickly on a proposal.
“Beyond the House Select Committee on this, the Taxation & Budget Reform Commission must be appointed in 2027 to review and suggest changes to the law,” Rep. Allison Tant, a Tallahassee Democrat, posted on social media.
Rep. Wyman Duggan, a Jacksonville Republican and chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, disagreed. He said the House always remained confident a House Select Committee on the topic could study and provided needed data in time to shape a measure for the 2026 ballot. He figures data could be ready by the end of this year.
“We are committed to providing a menu of options,” he said. “I don’t think there will be a one-size-fits all solution, but we’ll have several items to consider before the next Legislation Session.”
The proposal to nix property taxes has already drawn critics. The Florida Policy Institute released its own study in February, stating that Florida would need to double its sales tax to 12% to make up for revenue shortfalls.
“Our tax code is already the most upside-down in the nation,” said Sadaf Knight, the Institute’s CEO. “Eliminating property taxes and enacting a sales tax hike in its place would only exacerbate this issue, adding to inflation and benefiting those with the most to gain while making it even harder for Floridians with low income to make ends meet and put food on the table.”
Florida TaxWatch announced in May that it planned to conduct an independent study on the impact of cutting or eliminating property taxes on local governments. Kurt Wenner, Florida TaxWatch’s Senior Vice President of Research, presented a study at the organization’s Spring meeting that showed the $55 billion raised in Florida through property taxes is “by far the biggest tax source” for the state.
2 comments
the Truth
June 30, 2025 at 2:22 pm
raise the sales tax, get rid of property taxes, I am all for that, let the people vote
MarvinM
June 30, 2025 at 5:05 pm
The idea is absurd. Did you miss the part about how the estimate is sales taxes would have to be 12% to replace the revenue? That’s double what we’re paying the state now. (Counties and cities might have additional sales taxes.)
That’s a huge burden on the poor, less well-to-do folks, and seniors on fixed incomes.
And it helps renters not at all because I can promise you landlords are not going to lower their rent rates when their property taxes are eliminated.
Your comment is an example of why we do need a study. But no, DeSantis thinks he knows best, when there is so, so, so much he hasn’t bothered to think out.
Does something need to be done about property tax rates? Sure. But doubling sales taxes on items struggling people need to buy regularly (toilet paper, soap, laundry detergent, electricity – yes, it is sales taxed) is not the answer.