These are its main points, as described in the bill:<\/p>\n
Exempting the first $150,000 of a homestead\u2019s value from taxation for all levies other than school district levies by 2027 and the first $250,000 by 2028, with the goal of completely eliminating property taxes for homestead properties through general law after that;<\/p>\n
Requiring local governments to use any remaining property taxes solely for key public services, including public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, and natural resources.<\/p>\n
Protecting small businesses by limiting future property tax assessments on companies;<\/p>\n
Putting long-term Florida residents first, requiring any person who establishes residency after January 1, 2027, to maintain residency in the state for five years before being able to receive the increased homestead exemption.<\/p>\n
The bill does not include the creation of a fund which would provide local governments with state grants to help cover essential services while property taxes are being phased out, as included in DeSantis\u2019 draft.<\/p>\n
HJR 1F will be put to voters on November 3 as a yes or no question regarding the adoption of the amendment. It would need a supermajority of 60 percent of voters to back it up to become law. If approved, it would take effect on January 1, 2027.<\/p>\n
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A Newsweek graphic of a hand casting a vote in front of a backdrop of houses and a silhouette of Florida.<\/p>\n
Why Is It Proving So Controversial?<\/p>\n
A House staff analysis has estimated that the proposal would cut local non-school governments\u2019 revenues by more than $8.4 billion a year across the state.<\/p>\n
This drastic drop in revenues will leave Florida counties, cities, and schools scrambling to continue funding the public services they currently provide, they say, and may force them to increase other forms of taxation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the bill comes due, it won\u2019t be paid by Tallahassee,\u201d Democratic State Senator Lavon Bracy Davis said in a statement reported by News4JAX. \u201cIt will be paid by your city, your county, your neighborhood school, your library, your community. This proposal does not eliminate costs, it simply moves them. It is not tax relief, it is a tax shift.\u201d<\/p>\n
The office for Jacksonville\u2019s Mayor Donna Deegan, a Democrat, said in a statement that \u201cas it stands now, property tax revenue barely covers Jacksonville\u2019s police and fire costs. Eliminating or dramatically changing this funding source will hurt public safety efforts, as well as core services that improve quality of life and affordability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even GOP Raising Concerns<\/p>\n
While backlash from Democrat leaders was to be expected, voices of concerns have been raised among Republicans in the state too.<\/p>\n
Boca Raton Chief Financial Officer Jim Zervis has warned that the city could lose about $8 million in 2027 and about $16.7 million in 2028 if the amendment is approved.<\/p>\n
In Windermere, in Orange County, Republican Mayor Andy Williams expressed his support for property tax reforms while calling for more clarity on how local governments are expected to keep paying for essential services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all for tax reform. We absolutely do need tax reform. It just needs to be sustainable,\u201d said Williams earlier this week, as quoted by ClickOrlando. \u201cIn this bill, they discuss core services that will be protected, but what are those core services? There\u2019s not a definition for this. In our town we pretty much have everything as a core service.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a letter signed by Windermere leaders, town officials argue that the costs of providing local government services will not \u201cdisappear if property taxes are reduced or eliminated. Essential services must still be funded, employees must still be paid, infrastructure must still be maintained, and public safety responsibilities must still be met.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018What Are We Afraid Of?\u2019<\/p>\n
Some local leaders, on the other hand, have been supportive of the proposal, saying that it will be up to voters to decide the way forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are we afraid of? That we pass this and the voters actually get a choice?\u201d said Republican State Senator Jonathan Martin in a statement reported by News4JAX. \u201cIf they want lower taxes, they can vote yes; if they don\u2019t want lower taxes, they can vote no.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past several years, local governments have been the beneficiary of the days of milk and honey,\u201d Crestview Republican Senator Don Gaetz said, echoing DeSantis\u2019 rhetoric that higher property taxes are to be traced back to inflated local governments\u2019 budgets.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have gotten extraordinary increases in the amount of money they have available to spend, and they spent it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Are you a Florida resident? I\u2019d like to know how you feel about the property tax reform proposal. Would you like to see property taxes eliminated in Florida? Would you be willing to give up on some local services to introduce the proposed amendment, and if so, which ones?<\/p>\n
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