>> THE DEBATE OVER PROPERTY TAXES IS HEATING UP AT THE STATE CAPITOL. THAT COULD RESULT IN A CLASH BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. HOUSE LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL TO ELIMINATE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAXES, BUT THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR ARE WORKING OUT A PLAN OF THEIR OWN GULF COAST NEWS CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER DAVE ELIAS SHOWS US WHO WINS AND WHO LOSES. WELL, IF THIS CURRENT PROPOSAL THAT’S BEFORE THE SENATE PASSES. >> IT WOULD MEAN THAT HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES. THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE FULL-TIME IN FLORIDA WOULD SEE A RATE DECREASE. HOWEVER, IT’S THOSE WHO LIVE IN APARTMENTS OR NON HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES THAT COULD SEE SIGNIFICANT RATE INCREASES. >> I OWN IT. WHY AM I GIVING THE GOVERNMENT MONEY FOR SOMETHING THEY LIVE? AXTON IS AMONG THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WANTS TO SEE HER TAXES ELIMINATED. I THINK THAT THERE’S GOING TO BE OTHER TAXES THAT ARE GONNA MAKE UP FOR IT MEANS THAT NON HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES WOULD PICK UP THE TAB UNDER HOUSE BILL 23, WHICH MEANS THEY WOULD JUST GO ON TO ALL THE APARTMENT BUILDINGS, GROCERY STORES, RETAIL LIKE BIG BOX. THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE. SOMETHING THE PROPERTY APPRAISER. MATT CALDWELL COS UNPOPULAR AND UNLIKELY TO PASS. I THINK THE STATE SENATE’S PROBABLY GONNA LOOK FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN REALLY BE MORE AFFORDABLE. >> WE’RE A COMMUNITY THAT IS SQUEEZING EVERY PENNY OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR. FORT MYERS MAYOR KEVIN ANDERSON WARNS THAT ELIMINATING PROPERTY TAXES IS A CONCERN FOR COMMUNITIES LIKE HIS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT COSTS MONEY TO OPERATE IN THE CITY. FORT MYERS LAST YEAR COLLECTED 87 MILLION DOLLARS IN PROPERTY TAXES TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY. THAT’S FIRE AND POLICE ALONE COST 100 MILLION ANDERSON MORNING FEES COULD MAKE UP FOR THE LOSS. IT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, FIRE ASSESSMENT. THE MAYBE WE HAVE TO BE CREATED LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSESSMENT. THE AND THE STATE HAS TALKED ABOUT RAISING THE STATE SALES TAX TO SOMETHING THAT SOME PROPERTY OWNERS LIKE LYNN EXPECT. >> IT’S IT’S LIKE FLIPPING THE COIN. NOW. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 8 PROPOSALS TO ELIMINATE OR REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES. KEEP IN MIND, IT’S GOING TO BE THE VOTERS WHO
Florida debates property tax elimination amid legislative tensions
Updated: 7:34 PM EST Feb 23, 2026
Florida lawmakers are considering eliminating property taxes, with the House passing a bill that could lead to increased rates for non-homestead properties, while the Senate and governor propose alternative plans. If the current proposal before the Senate passes, homestead properties, which are owned by full-time residents, would see a rate decrease. However, those living in apartments or non-homestead properties could face significant rate increases.Lynn Axten, a property owner, expressed her frustration, saying, “I own it. Why am I giving the government money for something they don’t own?” Axten is among the property owners who want to see their taxes eliminated. She added, “I think that there is going to be other taxes that make up for it.”Under HJR 203, non-homesteaded properties would bear the financial burden. Matt Caldwell, Lee Property Appraiser, explained, “that means it would go onto apartment buildings, grocery store, retail, big box. They would have to make up the difference.” Caldwell described the proposal as unpopular and unlikely to pass, stating, “I think the state Senate is probably going to look for something that can really be more affordable.”Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson expressed concern about the impact on communities, saying, “We’re a community squeezing every penny out of every dollar.” He emphasized the financial challenges, noting, “The bottom line is it costs money to operate a city.” Last year, Fort Myers collected $87 million in property taxes, while public safety costs, including fire and police, amounted to $100 million. Anderson warned that fees could be introduced to compensate for the loss, suggesting, “It could be a fire assessment fee, maybe we have to create a law enforcement assessment fee.”The state has also discussed raising the state sales tax, a possibility that some property owners, like Lynn Axten, expect, saying, “It’s like flipping the coin.”Earlier this year, there were eight proposals to eliminate or reduce property taxes. Ultimately, voters will have the final say next November.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Florida lawmakers are considering eliminating property taxes, with the House passing a bill that could lead to increased rates for non-homestead properties, while the Senate and governor propose alternative plans.
If the current proposal before the Senate passes, homestead properties, which are owned by full-time residents, would see a rate decrease. However, those living in apartments or non-homestead properties could face significant rate increases.
Lynn Axten, a property owner, expressed her frustration, saying, “I own it. Why am I giving the government money for something they don’t own?” Axten is among the property owners who want to see their taxes eliminated. She added, “I think that there is going to be other taxes that make up for it.”
Under HJR 203, non-homesteaded properties would bear the financial burden. Matt Caldwell, Lee Property Appraiser, explained, “that means it would go onto apartment buildings, grocery store, retail, big box. They would have to make up the difference.” Caldwell described the proposal as unpopular and unlikely to pass, stating, “I think the state Senate is probably going to look for something that can really be more affordable.”
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson expressed concern about the impact on communities, saying, “We’re a community squeezing every penny out of every dollar.” He emphasized the financial challenges, noting, “The bottom line is it costs money to operate a city.”
Last year, Fort Myers collected $87 million in property taxes, while public safety costs, including fire and police, amounted to $100 million.
Anderson warned that fees could be introduced to compensate for the loss, suggesting, “It could be a fire assessment fee, maybe we have to create a law enforcement assessment fee.”
The state has also discussed raising the state sales tax, a possibility that some property owners, like Lynn Axten, expect, saying, “It’s like flipping the coin.”
Earlier this year, there were eight proposals to eliminate or reduce property taxes. Ultimately, voters will have the final say next November.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.