TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s regular legislative session begins next week and runs through March but lawmakers may be spending much more time in Tallahassee this year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a proclamation calling for a special session in April, and also floated the idea of a second session later in the year. April would focus on redistricting and the second on eliminating property taxes.
What You Need To Know
Governor DeSantis issues proclomation calling for a special legislative session from April 20th – 24th to redraw Florida congressional maps.
Democrats are pushing back on redrawing for maps calling the move “oportunistic” and “partisan”
Governor DeSantis says a second special session may be needed for law makerrs to approve ballot language regarding a repeal of property taxes in Florida
Local municipalities have voiced concerns over an elimination of property taxes, saying it will defund public schools, first responders and a number of local services
DeSantis said he plans to call lawmakers back to Tallahassee for a week in April to address redistricting.
He argues that pushing the issue back would give the U.S. Supreme Court more time to decide whether it will make changes to the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Not everyone agrees a special session is necessary.
House Speaker Danny Perez said last month that the House is prepared to take up map changes during the regular session and sees no need to bring lawmakers back later in the spring.
“I think it’s irresponsible and, quite frankly, embarrassing for us to have our members here in the House and the senators come back in April or May to Tallahassee, away from their families, to have a discussion on something that we can do right now,” Perez said.
The Florida Democratic Party is also pushing back against the idea of redrawing maps during a special session.
In a statement, the party said, “What DeSantis is doing is reckless, partisan, and opportunistic — all things Floridians said redistricting shouldn’t be in 2010 when they passed the Fair Districts Amendment.”
The governor also said a second special session may be needed to take action on his proposal to end property taxes in Florida.
Lawmakers would have to decide whether to send the proposal to voters in November as a constitutional amendment.
Local cities and counties have expressed serious concerns about eliminating property taxes.
Officials warn that ending the tax could significantly impact funding for public schools, first responders and city and county services.
Lawmakers and policy experts have been meeting since last year to determine how those essential services could continue to be funded without property tax revenue.