{"id":209333,"date":"2026-03-28T05:59:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T05:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/209333\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T05:59:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T05:59:39","slug":"jan-6-lectern-guy-warns-florida-over-property-tax-cuts-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/209333\/","title":{"rendered":"Jan. 6 \u2018Lectern Guy\u2019 warns Florida over property tax cuts. Here\u2019s why"},"content":{"rendered":"

ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 A Florida man who became known as \u201cLectern Guy\u201d over his role in the Jan. 6 protest<\/a> took to social media on Wednesday to denounce broad property tax cuts in the state \u2014 though perhaps not for the reason some might think.<\/p>\n

\u201cLectern Guy\u201d \u2014 real name \u201cAdam Johnson\u201d \u2014 earned his moniker after he was seen carrying a lectern belonging to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi\u2019s office at the U.S. Capitol during the riot.<\/p>\n

According to CBS News, Johnson ultimately pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building and was slapped with 75 days in prison. Earlier this year, he also filed to run as a Republican for the Manatee County Commission<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: Waffle House bans Florida governor candidate from all restaurants in the state]<\/p>\n

While many critics of property tax cuts have argued that it would harm local-level funding, \u201cLectern Guy\u201d took a different approach to the hot-button issue.<\/p>\n

Johnson broached the topic of property tax cuts in reaction to a special election where a Democrat flipped a Florida district<\/a> that includes President Trump\u2019s home of Mar-a-Lago.<\/p>\n

\u201cOverdeveloping and an open door policy has consequences in our elections. We saw this yesterday,\u201d he posted on X. \u201cI\u2019m going to say something very controversial that will get push back. If we vote to end property taxes, the magnet will grow in intensity and draw millions more to my state.\u201d<\/p>\n

Florida became a magnet for new residents over the past few years. Overdeveloping and an open door policy has consequences in our elections. We saw this yesterday. <\/p>\n

I’m going to say something very controversial that will get push back. If we vote to end property taxes, the\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Lectern Guy\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@lecternleader) March 25, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

That said, Johnson also pushed for a \u201clegacy clause\u201d to end property taxes that applies only to residents who have been in the state for 20 years.<\/p>\n

The opinion puts him at odds with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has called for lawmakers to get rid of property taxes on primary homesteads<\/a>, which aren\u2019t the biggest source of property tax revenue.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: DeSantis weighs in on latest Florida tax ranking]<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, House lawmakers managed to approve a bill that would do exactly that, though it ultimately stalled in the Senate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regardless, DeSantis said that homeowners may still see property tax relief, as a special session is being planned for late April<\/a>. Property taxes could be added to that session.<\/p>\n

Either way, Florida lawmakers will have to stay in Tallahassee, as the budget is still not ready \u2014 something that is constitutionally required.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens on a whole host of things. But I would just say, \u2018Stay tuned,\u2019\u201d DeSantis said last week. \u201cAnd don\u2019t let anyone tell you somehow we\u2019re not doing the property tax. We\u2019re going to be robust.\u201d <\/p>\n

HOW WOULD PROPERTY TAX CUTS BE DONE?<\/p>\n

Because property taxes are a local issue, it would take an amendment to the state\u2019s constitution for Florida lawmakers to actually cut them statewide.<\/p>\n

This means that 60% of Florida voters would have to approve such an amendment.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: Florida governor candidate Byron Donalds talks about repealing property taxes]<\/p>\n

Back in January, DeSantis proposed on Fox & Friends<\/a> how property taxes could be most effectively introduced.<\/p>\n

State Fund Replacements: Excess state funding could be used to help offset any losses from property tax cuts.<\/p>\n

Homesteads Only: Any property tax cuts would only be for primary homesteads, which aren\u2019t the biggest source of property tax revenue.<\/p>\n

Exposing Local \u201cWaste\u201d: The governor\u2019s DOGE audit task force has been uncovering \u201cwaste, fraud and abuse\u201d in local government spending across the state to pressure local governments into reducing their budgets.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: DeSantis proposes $5 billion property tax relief plan for homeowners last year]<\/p>\n

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