TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 Amid a huge push for property tax reform this year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week put his foot down on reform for seniors alone.<\/p>\n
In a post on X<\/a>, the governor called age-specific reform is a \u201cnon-starter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaking homestead properties tax-free would be a major boon to young families, who will be better able to make ends meet,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n Age-specific property tax relief is a non-starter. <\/p>\n Making homestead properties tax-free would be a major boon to young families who will be better able to make ends meet.<\/p>\n Why saddle anyone \u2014 but particularly young people \u2014 will rising local taxes based on increased\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/PnmLODgtdE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n His comments follow a series of new property tax proposals<\/a> in the state Legislature, a couple of which aim to give relief to senior citizens.<\/p>\n For example, HJR 205<\/a> and SJR 270<\/a> would exempt residents ages 65 and over from paying non-school taxes on their homes.<\/p>\n However, DeSantis said that he refuses to support property tax reform if it doesn\u2019t extend to younger generations, too.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy saddle anyone \u2014 but particularly young people \u2014 will (sic) rising local taxes based on increased assessments, which are nothing more than an unrealized gain?” he asked.<\/p>\n [BELOW: Florida lawmakers debate eliminating property taxes]<\/p>\n DeSantis has been a vocal proponent of cutting \u2014 if not outright eliminating<\/a> \u2014 property taxes statewide, arguing that they unfairly target homeowners, who have already taken on all of the other burdens that come with homeownership. <\/p>\n On the flip side, proponents of property taxes often assert that they\u2019re necessary to collect revenue for local government functions, such as public schools and police stations.<\/p>\n However, local governments are the ones that levy property taxes \u2014 not the state \u2014 so it would require a constitutional amendment<\/a> to eradicate them statewide.<\/p>\n Property taxes are local, not state. So we\u2019d need to do a constitutional amendment (requires 60% of voters to approve) to eliminate them (which I would support) or even to reform\/lower them\u2026<\/p>\n We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/WpOQmjNl0X<\/a><\/p>\n