TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A proposal to phase out property taxes on homesteaded properties over 10 years passed its second House committee Thursday morning.
The measure aims to give local governments time to adjust to operating without property taxes. The state constitution outlines property taxes as a way to fund local government, and any changes require 60 percent of the vote.
A Florida policy institute poll shows more people would rather have insurance relief than property tax cuts. Homeowners reminded committee members of that preference during Thursday’s hearing.
“We have a spending problem in local government. We have increased what we are taking from taxpayers by $18 billion over the last five years. It has to stop. We have to stop treating them like ATMs,” said Rep. Monique Miller, R-Palm Bay.
Florida Politics
One homeowner testified about weighing the costs and benefits of the proposal.
“Cost and benefit, cost and risk are important. You think about that when you take medicine, you should think about that when you pass laws. Would I like a couple extra thousand dollars, well of course. But would I like what’s coming with that? No,” the homeowner said.
An amendment significantly increasing the homestead exemption on insured properties is ready for a vote.
The Senate is taking its time to figure out how it plans to cut property taxes. Senate President Ben Albritton wants to see one proposal on the ballot, not the seven the House is proposing.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.