TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — The property tax debate is center stage at the state capitol, as leaders push to reduce or potentially eliminate them completely.
Lawmakers took the summer to meet with constituents and local governments to figure out how Tallahassee can provide relief.
“These are really hard decisions people are going to have to start making,” said Co-chair Vicki Lopez, (R-Miami). “Our job is to come up with what we think are fair and equitable proposals that will be placed on the ballot, then it is up to the voter.”
After their last meeting in May, state house members had some homework, head back to their districts and figure out next steps in cutting property taxes. However, lawmakers are still in the data gathering stages and have yet to decide on a proposal.
How did we get here?
Last session, Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced the idea to reduce and eventually eliminate the states property tax. This summer, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia kicked off his own mission — touring the state urging local governments to cut out waste and lower property taxes.
Now, state house members pick up the debate sorting out possible impacts to education, fiscally constrained counties, and what role local governments can play in this fight for relief.
“All of us as Americans need to tighten our belts a little bit, and I think local governments and municipalities are going to have to learn to do the same,” said State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, (R-Miami).
So far there are a number of proposals being floated, from going back to property tax levels from years past, replacing school property taxes with a statewide sales tax, and even prioritizing relief to seniors first.
There are some concerns, especially coming from Democrats who fear possible negative impacts on the local level.
“The majority of property taxes do fund public safety, and so when we start looking at the essential services that are provided by the local governments and looking at okay, well relief sounds great, sounds fantastic, but how can we make sure we are not hurting ourselves as we’re trying to look into what relief could look like,” said State Rep. Gallop Franklin, (D-Tallahassee).
House members hope to have a final property tax proposal, or proposals, ready in November or December of this year.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
