Florida Governor DeSantis Hints Veto Sales Tax Cut, Pushes Property Tax Relief

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing for a property tax relief plan that includes one-time rebates for homesteaded homeowners and a 2026 ballot measure to reduce or eliminate property taxes, emphasizing a "Florida-first" tax policy that prioritizes residents over tourists. He has threatened to veto the current legislative tax package, which includes a sales tax cut from 6% to 5.25%, arguing that it benefits visitors and undermines the ability to provide meaningful property tax relief. House Speaker Daniel Perez supports the sales tax cut and disputes DeSantis's approach, calling the governor's rebate plan a superficial solution that does not lower property taxes. The disagreement between DeSantis and Perez has stalled budget progress, leading to an extended legislative session and ongoing debates over tax policy. DeSantis insists that shifting the tax burden to non-residents, such as tourists, is feasible and necessary to protect local services and taxpayers, while Perez and other lawmakers advocate for sales tax reductions as part of broader budget negotiations. This conflict highlights deep divisions within Florida's GOP leadership over how best to address tax relief and budget priorities for the state.