TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida lawmakers are preparing for a possible special session later this year to address property tax relief, even as the regular legislative session has not yet begun.<\/p>\n
The House is ready to vote on a constitutional amendment that would significantly lower property tax bills. The 60-day regular session starts Tuesday, but leaders say it may take a special session to get a question before voters in November.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if this is something you do in regular session,\u201d Gov. Ron DeSantis said.<\/p>\n
DeSantis has been advocating for the elimination of property taxes for Florida homeowners for over a year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what people are getting pinched on,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n
Florida politics:<\/p>\n
The Florida Constitution requires property taxes as a way to fund local government and requires voters to make changes through a constitutional amendment. DeSantis has not announced his plans to make it happen, so the House has been working on the issue and came up with seven potential constitutional amendments.<\/p>\n
An amendment offering a significant homestead exemption for homes with property insurance is ready for a vote next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was charged by the speaker to go ahead and make sure we have something ready by the first week of session. We have done that,\u201d said Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City.<\/p>\n
During a news conference in Steinhatchee on Wednesday, DeSantis said he is not rushing a proposal because taxes are complicated and wants to make sure lawmakers get it right.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see value in teeing something up the voters will see \u2018they\u2019re going up to do this.\u2019 Then voters can talk to their members about what they want to do,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n
Senate President Ben Albritton agrees. In a memo to senators this week discussing an April special session focusing on congressional redistricting, Albritton said he is open to addressing property taxes later. In December, he told reporters he believes in the value of measuring three times before cutting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are legitimately measuring. We\u2019ve looked at the House\u2019s proposals and every one of those has a certain amount of cost to it and a certain amount of impact to Floridians,\u201d Albritton said.<\/p>\n
While state leaders discuss cutting revenue for local governments, many are worried. Dozens have told lawmakers that programs that make their communities different will be cut.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an unbalancing of the equation on how we\u2019re going to fund local government, including the discretionary services. Once we get past those required core essential services, which include public safety, it includes senior services,\u201d said Jeff Scala of the Florida Association of Counties.<\/p>\n
A House committee will decide Monday what gets voted on during the first week of session.<\/p>\n
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