TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — As state lawmakers and the governor explore eliminating property taxes, former House Speaker Paul Renner is urging swift action.
Renner, who is also running for governor in 2026, wants lawmakers to convene a special session to roll back property taxes to last year’s levels.
He says the effort does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Renner argues the state can provide immediate relief now while pursuing a broader property tax overhaul at the start of the next legislative session.
“My attitude is less talk, more action, and I did that when I was speaker,” Renner said. “This is not a big, beautiful bill of 1,000 pages. It’s a couple of pages to have this rollback. Very simple. Whatever you paid in 2024, that’s what you’re going to pay in 2026.”
Renner said lawmakers have the authority to direct counties to return to the 2024 millage rate through legislative action, adding the process could be completed in just a few days.
His call comes as several proposals advance through House committees, ranging from eliminating non-school-related property taxes to prioritizing tax breaks for residents age 65 and older.
“I think there’s been a lot of misinformation since the proposals have gone out,” said State Rep. Juan Porras, R-Miami. “These seven proposals are meant to start the conversation, the discussion on what is the best approach to property tax relief.
That does not necessarily mean that all seven will be placed on the ballot. I am confident that we will have one proposal that is going to be pushed by the Florida House. We are still unsure on what the Florida Senate is going to do.”
The Senate has expressed support for reducing or eliminating property taxes but remains cautious about potential impacts on local governments.
“I’m optimistic, and I believe it’s going to yield a good result for Floridians, but it’s not simple,” said Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula.
Democrats, meanwhile, say lawmakers should focus elsewhere.
“Property taxes right now is actually a fair system, and if we could just get our Republican colleagues to focus on the things the people of Florida asked them to focus on, mainly property insurance, I think we could find better pathways to affordability and not hurt our local governments in the process,” said State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa.
The next legislative session begins Jan. 13. So far, there has been no indication from House Speaker Danny Perez or Senate President Ben Albritton on whether a special session on property taxes will be scheduled.
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