SANCAP CHAMBER
\nFormer Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp spoke on behalf of Florida TaxWatch at the SanCap Chamber and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s business luncheon on May 12 in Fort Myers.<\/p>\n
The SanCap Chamber and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce (GFMCC) held their joint business luncheon meeting on May 12 at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers.<\/p>\n
Former Florida Lt. Gov. and acting Gov. Jeff Kottkamp addressed attendees.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I would love not having property taxes. But I love it when I can, you know, have police and fire workers,\u201d the now president and chief executive officer of Florida TaxWatch said about the then-proposed state legislation. \u201cIt\u2019s not possible to have a thriving economy and great quality of life without some manner or form of sound government.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kottkamp began with a brief history of how TaxWatch formed as the state\u2019s premier, independent nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute \u2014 tasked with going line by line through the annual legislative budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes a lot of time,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we identify every single thing in the lines where they didn\u2019t go through due process, it wasn\u2019t heard in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
In their 2026 session, legislators were unable to fulfill their \u201cone constitutional obligation\u201d to balance the budget in 60 days, Kottkamp said. He expected it to happen in a special session the next week.<\/p>\n
Kottkamp focused on the then-proposed legislation to eliminate property taxes for homestead properties in Florida, airing opposition to the proposal and enumerating possible reforms.<\/p>\n
Homestead property taxes impact the state budget to the tune of $59 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you\u2019ve got to have a way to earn that,\u201d he said. \u201cSo that has to be part of the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kottkamp said homestead tax elimination would hurt Florida counties already fiscally strained. It would not impact Lee County as heavily as some other counties, but as a former resident of the county, he opposed the foreseeable outcome.<\/p>\n
Kottkamp also touched on government waste and spending on things Florida does not need.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand, we\u2019ve got the money, but that doesn\u2019t mean you have to spend it,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you cut taxes?\u201d<\/p>\n
Kottkamp demonstrated with statistics and observations the bright economic outlook for the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is no longer just a retirement state. This is a quality-of-life, place-to-do-business state,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is on fire!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJeff has served on the TaxWatch board of trustees for the last 10 years, and it\u2019s like he was made for the leadership position with his impressive political background,\u201d chambers President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. \u201cIn addition, he is a good friend of Lee County and fastidious in his oversight of legislative impact on us and the greater state of Florida. His insights were most welcome at this significant juncture of Florida tax history.\u201d<\/p>\n
The luncheon was sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), HBKS Wealth Advisors, and McKinnis Roofing & Sheet Metal.<\/p>\n