FLORIDA – Governor Ron DeSantis has dismissed seven property tax reform proposals recently filed by Republican members of the Florida House for the 2026 ballot, calling them a political maneuver rather than a serious plan.
“Placing more than one property tax measure on the ballot represents an attempt to kill anything on property taxes,” DeSantis said in a message on his X account. “It’s a political game, not a serious attempt to get it done for the people.”
House Speaker Daniel Perez responded, criticizing the governor for offering no clear plan of his own. “The Governor has not produced a plan on property taxes. Period…What the House does have is a proposal that reflects the Governor’s comments in the media and can garner the support of voters in November,” Perez said.
All seven House proposals would exempt K-12 school funding from property tax reductions and prevent local governments from reducing law enforcement budgets. Property taxes currently make up roughly 46% of school funding, according to the Florida Education Association.
The proposals must still pass three-fifths of both chambers to appear on the ballot and require 60% voter approval to pass statewide. Senate President Ben Albritton has not commented on the measures.
DeSantis, alongside CFO Blaise Ingoglia, has campaigned statewide promising property tax relief through a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot. Ingoglia has highlighted what he calls “excessive spending” by local governments, including $94 million in alleged overages in Miami’s general fund budget for 2024-25 and a $358 million increase in the past five years.
While DeSantis and Ingoglia stress taxpayer control over spending, local officials warn that dramatic cuts could threaten essential services such as police, fire, roads, and parks. For example, Tampa’s proposed FY 2026 budget allocates all $380 million in property tax revenue to police and fire services.
The governor has signaled further developments are forthcoming, posting on social media: “Stay tuned.” Meanwhile, the House and DeSantis appear to be at an impasse on how to deliver property tax relief for Floridians.
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