Florida House Plans Major Property Tax Cuts Spark Governor DeSantis Criticism

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the Florida House of Representatives' multiple proposed property tax cuts as a "political game" that undermines serious efforts to reduce property taxes for homeowners. The House, led by Speaker Daniel Perez, proposed seven constitutional amendments for the 2026 ballot, allowing voters to choose some, all, or none of the measures, but DeSantis argues that placing multiple measures on the ballot risks killing any property tax reform by splitting the vote. The proposals aim to cut taxes on homesteads but do not provide replacement funding for local governments, potentially harming essential services funded by property taxes, such as fire, health, sanitation, and infrastructure. Perez defends the approach as giving voters a choice, while DeSantis demands a comprehensive solution aligned with his goal of eliminating property taxes entirely for homesteaded properties. The debate highlights ongoing tension between DeSantis and Perez and raises concerns among local governments about the financial impact of these tax cuts. The proposals exempt school funding from cuts, but the lack of clarity about the effect on other services remains a significant issue.