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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In Florida property tax debate, use a ‘scalpel' not a ‘chainsaw,' officials argue
Property taxes are necessary to fund local governments and agencies but can be unfair to first-time homebuyers, a group of local Democrats argued Tuesday. Six elected officials gathered Tuesday at a roundtable hosted by Rep. Anna Eskamani as debate continues across Florida on if and how to reform property taxes – which are top funders for everything from local police and fire departments to public schools. 'Instead of taking a chainsaw, I think it's important we use a scalpel,' said Eskamani, D-Orlando, who sits on a 37-member task force studying the issue. The push for property tax relief started when Gov. Ron DeSantis said earlier this year that Florida should ban the tax, assessed by local governments on property owners. He'd equated paying the tax as 'renting your property from the government.' House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, convened a task force to study the issue, which is expected to consider numerous ideas, ranging from outright abolishing the levy, adding homestead exemptions to lower tax bills and requiring every municipality to hold their own referendum on whether or not to ban it. DeSantis and others have argued that local governments have benefited from surging property values – even as most haven't increased their tax rate. With a bigger pool of taxable value, the money has poured in, with Orange County's budget growing by $1.7 billion over a five-year period, fueled in part by about a 40% increase in property tax collections in that same period. Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph said that the state's tax structure is designed to keep costs low for longtime Floridians, and in turn, hits first-time homebuyers with higher costs. 'If you're an existing homeowner who has owned a home for 7 or 8 years, you don't need a property tax break,' he said. 'If Florida wants to attract young people, young professionals …they've got to fix this problem.' But cities and counties, particularly in Central Florida, are grappling with growth. And growth requires infrastructure, law enforcement, fire protection and new schools to accommodate it. Property tax revenue is a critical funding source for local governments accounting for about 52% of the Orange County public schools budget and about 48% of Orlando's general fund. A study by the Florida Policy Institute found that state leaders would need to double its sales tax to 12% to make up a chunk of the revenue lost from banning the tax. After its publication, DeSantis said he'd veto any such increase. Sadaf Knight, the CEO of the Florida Policy Institute, said any tax relief should be targeted. 'I think whatever the solution is to make sure the tax relief is getting to the people who need it most,' she said. rygillespie@
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Peak heat and rain season has arrived. Triple threat of hurricane season is next
Before hurricane season has even officially started, Miami-Dade's mayor on Thursday warned residents that it's time to start preparing for extreme weather — including the kind of flooding many parts of the county saw on Monday, when certain areas saw 4 inches of rain. At a press conference Thursday morning, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava detailed the importance of being prepared as Florida enters the summer months, with high possibilities of severe weather in different forms: namely hurricanes, floods and extreme heat. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, and peak rainy season is from May 15 to Oct. 15. 'Stay informed, be storm ready and make a plan,' the mayor said. Staying safe in the heat A 2024 report by the Florida Policy Institute found Florida had the highest number of heat-related illnesses in the nation. The report showed that almost a half-million Floridians work outdoor jobs, with Florida's top three outdoor industries being construction, amusement and recreation, and landscaping. 'If you're not feeling well in the heat, do a three-step heat check,' Levine Cava said. 'You're going to drink water, you're going to find shade and going to rest.' The 2024 report highlighted that about 5.7 million Floridians are vulnerable to extreme heat. And now, Miami is experiencing 51 more days per year with temperatures over 90 degrees than 50 years ago. And experts predict those numbers will only keep going up, Levine Cava said. At-risk groups for heat-related illnesses and death include pregnant women, infants and young children, outdoor workers and those without access to air conditioning, such as people experiencing homelessness. Peak heat season runs from May 1 to Oct. 31. To prepare for extreme heat, Miami-Dade county officials recommend: Locating public spaces with air conditioningInsulating your homeCovering your home's windows with shadesInstalling efficient air conditioningWearing lightweight and light-colored clothing Staying aware of signs someone is experiencing a heat-related illnessCarrying water at all times and providing hydration to pets, too For additional information, residents can visit Hurricanes and flooding On Monday, parts of South Florida were slammed with heavy rain and flood watches. The Miami metro area received more than 4 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. New research suggests that over 23,000 people and 17,000 homes in Florida may face annual flooding by 2050. Pete Gomez, who serves as Miami-Dade's director of emergency management, urged Floridians to know their evacuation zone and to stay on top of any medical or electrical essentials in the event of a hurricane or flooding. 'If you're a medically dependent person, let us know,' Gomez said. 'We'll take you to the right shelter.' To effectively prepare for a hurricane and floods: Stay informed by visiting your county's website or social media accountsCheck evacuation routes and flood zones Purchase adequate amounts of canned food and waterHave access to flashlightsCarry a first aid kitStay indoors and call 311 if needed But hazards may still be prevalent after a storm, Gomez said. Flood water may be full of electrical wires, broken pipes and manholes, so it's important to remain inside until an area has been cleared. You can also reach out to Miami-Dade's Department of Emergency Management and ask to be a part of the door hanger program, which may help emergency personnel find people who are in need of assistance. Additional information and alerts can be found at and
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida Considers Ditching Property Taxes As The Cost Of Home Ownership Soars
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. No property taxes? A homeowner's dream or a fiscal nightmare? It could be a reality in Florida if some lawmakers have their way, according to The Wall Street Journal. Homeownership has become increasingly difficult in Florida, where median prices have tripled and even quadrupled in some major metro areas since 2012. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is a major proponent of real estate tax reform, urging action from the legislature in his recent State of the State address. 'Is it your property or not? Just for being on your property year after year, you've got to write a check to the government every year,' he said. 'So you're basically paying rent to the government to live on your own property.' Don't Miss: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to . He's not the only one expressing outrage. State lawmakers have filed dozens of bills on the issue. 'People are getting crushed not just by home insurance but by property taxes,' GOP state Sen. Jonathan Martin, who is sponsoring a bill that would require a study on the elimination of property taxes be completed by October, told the Journal. 'That American dream in Florida is taking five figures a year in local taxes.' Statewide property taxes vary, with the average homeowner paying 0.79% of their home's assessed value. For a home assessed at the state average of $385,000, this amounts to a tax bill of $3,041. According to Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation, insurance costs range from over $3,000 to $7,000 per year, depending on your county. This makes the cost of home ownership, even before a mortgage payment has been made, overwhelming to many homeowners. Trending: It's no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — Property taxes help pay for state services such as schools, safety, open space maintenance, street maintenance, sanitation, and other services. Florida has been attractive for many people to move to because of the lack of personal income tax. Removing property taxes would make the state more reliant on sales taxes. A study from the Florida Policy Institute estimated that sales tax would need to be doubled to 12% if property taxes were eliminated. Palm Beach Post opinion writer Frank Cerabino does not think DeSantis is serious, chalking his tax talk down to 'empty political posturing.' John Tillman, the CEO of the American Culture Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to tax and funding disclosure purposes aligned with Republican causes, wrote in the Tampa Bay Times that Floridians would find it 'easier to buy a home because low or no property taxes make homeownership easier to afford. And businesses would be able to give wage hikes and grow, while a new generation of entrepreneurs would find it easier to get off the ground.' The Florida Policy Institute does not think removing property taxes is remotely viable, writing: 'In a densely populated state like Florida, if policymakers wanted to eliminate property taxes, they would need to raise $43 billion (or $2,015 per capita) to maintain public services currently funded with property tax revenue.'Complaints against property taxes are nothing new. Many states have discussed trying to replace them. However, the issue is more acute in Florida because of its large retiree population with a fixed income who may have paid off their homes but cannot afford to keep up with ever-increasing property taxes. There are currently exemptions available to people aged 65 and older in Florida who earn a certain income and have lived in their homes for 25 years or more, but that also excludes many people. Should property taxes be eliminated in Florida, it would be the first state in the U.S. to do so. However, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon, as it would require a constitutional amendment and a vote, which is not guaranteed to pass, as many Republicans are also skeptical of the move. 'The question is what will replace personal property taxes,' state Sen. Don Gaetz told The Wall Street Journal. 'I have not seen any proposal that eliminates property taxes, replaces them with a fairer or better tax and ensures that local governments will still have the funds to operate efficiently.' Real estate is a great way to diversify your portfolio and earn high returns, but it can also be a big hassle. Luckily, there are other ways to tap into the power of real estate without owning property. Arrived Home's Private Credit Fund's has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%*, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, Looking for fractional real estate investment opportunities? The features the latest offerings. This article Florida Considers Ditching Property Taxes As The Cost Of Home Ownership Soars originally appeared on Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeSantis scales down property tax proposal amid criticism
Gov. Ron DeSantis is paring down his promises to eliminate property tax proposals as he faces rising criticism from within his own party. Monday, the governor proposed cutting $5 billion in property taxes from homesteaded properties only. It would amount to approximately $1,000 per household. The focus, he said, was on the middle-class homeowners who are facing rising costs of living. 'You got to just keep writing a check to the government just for the privilege of using your own property, and that's an anomaly,' DeSantis said. 'That's not the way good tax policy should be. It certainly undercuts the idea of private property.' However, the proposal has been dismissed by some Republicans for being a handout, while others aired concerns it would slash funding for police, fire and schools throughout the state. DeSantis brushed aside those concerns, saying the government had enough surplus to make up the difference. 'It's something that would be really, really meaningful,' he said. Some state lawmakers are backing a rival proposal to cut sales taxes by $5 billion instead, which would lower the tax rate from 6% to 5.25%. Esteban Santis, a tax analyst with the Florida Policy Institute, said both plans have drawbacks. DeSantis' proposal would just be for Floridians, but it wouldn't include renters, he noted, while the sales tax cut would help low-income Floridians the most but would also cut taxes for tourists. 'I can say that eliminating property taxes altogether will have such a significant fiscal impact that I think just looking at the sales taxes would be more beneficial,' he said. However, he warned Florida has not come up with a long-term plan to pay for either of the proposals. 'State economists, they're already thinking about deficits to three fiscal years down the line,' he said 'So if we tap into the money that we have today, because everything looks like it can be balanced, the question is, are you going to be able to balance the budget in two to three fiscal years?' Any property tax proposal that passes through the legislature will need to get 60% support on a ballot referendum. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Guardian
29-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Alarm as Florida Republicans move to fill deported workers' jobs with children: ‘It's insane, right?'
Beneath the smugness of Ron DeSantis, at Florida leading the nation in immigration enforcement lies something of a conundrum: how to fill the essential jobs of the scores of immigrant workers targeted for deportation. The answer, according to Florida lawmakers, is the state's schoolchildren, who as young as 14 could soon be allowed to work overnight shifts without a break – even on school nights. A bill that progressed this week through the Republican-dominated state senate seeks to remove numerous existing protections for teenage workers, and allow them, in the Florida governor's words, to step into the shoes of immigrants who supply Florida's tourism and agriculture industries with 'dirt cheap labor'. 'What's wrong with expecting our young people to be working part-time now? That's how it used to be when I was growing up,' DeSantis said at an immigration forum with Donald Trump's 'border czar', Tom Homan, in Sarasota last week. 'Why do we say we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when teenagers used to work at these resorts, college students should be [doing] all this stuff.' Unsurprisingly, the proposal has alarmed immigration advocates and watchdog groups concerned about child labor abuses and exploitation. They point out that there is nothing 'part-time' in the language of the companion senate and house bills currently before lawmakers, which instead will permit unlimited working hours without breaks for 14- and 15-year-olds who are schooled at home or online, and allow employers to require 16- and 17-year-olds to work for more than six days in a row. 'It's essentially treating teens who have developing bodies and minds like adults, and this will allow employers to schedule them for unlimited hours, overnight and without breaks, and this is during the school year,' said Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at the Florida Policy Institute (FPI), an independent research and economic analysis group. 'It's important to remind people that teens can work. They can get that experience and some extra money if they need it. But there have to be protections in place to protect our most vulnerable, and if we pass this that's absolutely not going to happen.' Meanwhile, an attempt by the state senator who sponsored the bill, the Sarasota Republican Jay Collins, to paint it as an issue of parental rights rather than a way to cover Florida's deportation-driven labor shortfall also failed to impress critics. 'We're not talking about The Jungle by Upton Sinclair,' he told the chamber on Wednesday, referring to the 1906 novel that described horrific and dangerous conditions endured by cheap immigrant laborers, including children, in Chicago's meat-packing industry – an environment that still exists today. DeSantis, he insisted, 'is talking about those soft skill benefits to children growing', and said his bill was aimed at teenagers working in places like grocery stores. Tsoukalas rejected Collins's claim. 'There's different arguments that people will put on the floor in order to do what they think it takes to get a bill passed. Given some of the justifications that state leaders have made in recent days, it's clear that they are linking the immigration issue and child labor,' she said. 'When the sweeping anti-immigrant bill of 2023 passed, we did warn there would be impacts on the labor force and the economy given how reliant we are on immigrant labor. Of course, not all of those people are undocumented, but as we've seen recently at the federal level all types of people, even permanent residents, are getting threatened with deportation. 'Combined with what's going on at the state level, that absolutely is a concern. It's no surprise that last year, and then again this year, we're talking about the need to fill gaps with other forms of labor.' According to the US Census Bureau, more than 27% of Florida's workforce is foreign-born. The Farmworker Association of Florida, which represents tens of thousands of low-income, immigrant laborers, says about 60% of its membership is undocumented, and most vulnerable to detention and deportation. Others are among half a million Haitians nationwide who Trump has ordered to leave the US by August after he rescinded their temporary protected status. Pushback from FPI and other groups persuaded Florida lawmakers to drop some of the harsher provisions in a child labor law that passed last year, and opponents are dismayed to find them back under consideration. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The state was singled out in a 2024 report by Governing for Impact and the Economic Policy Institute that recorded a surge in workplace injuries and violations involving minors – some in the agricultural industry where hazards include exposure to toxic chemicals and dangerous machinery. The report noted a corresponding push in at least 30 mostly Republican-controlled states to weaken workplace protections for children, and warned the second Trump administration would seek to escalate the rollback. 'We've been saying since 2023 that this is a way for them to exploit minors, it was when they passed this large, anti-immigrant omnibus and the same year that they tried to pass the first law gutting child labor protection,' said Thomas Kennedy, spokesperson for the Florida Immigrant Coalition. 'The only short-term answer to workforce shortages has always been net migration and they'll never go for that because of their politics. So their only answer is to widen the parameters of who can work, and you either go older or you go younger, and they chose to go younger.' Kennedy and Tsoukalas are hopeful that Republicans who said they were uncomfortable with some parts of the bill will ultimately decide to vote against it. According to the Miami Herald, the Republican state senators Nick DiCeglie and Tom Wright helped move it out of the commerce and tourism committee on a 5-4 vote, but said it 'needed work'. Republican Joe Gruters joined three Democrats in voting against, saying: 'We need to let kids be kids.' Kennedy, however, pointed to another Republican bill that progressed this week that would allow employers to pay interns and apprentices less than minimum wage. 'To recap, they made the state hostile to immigrants. They deported a bunch of people, or scared people into not coming, or moving out of the state. They exacerbated worker shortages, so now they're trying to gut child labor protection standards, while at the same time passing a law that would allow them to classify these children and other workers as interns,' he said. 'It's insane, right?'
