Latest news with #SelectCommitteeonPropertyTaxes
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida GOP clash over property taxes heats up in House panel meeting
Property taxes are the biggest source of dollars for 51 of Florida's 67 counties and almost half of the state's cities – so getting rid of them could jeopardize a range of local services, topped by law enforcement, a House panel was told. The Select Committee on Property Taxes, a 37-member, bipartisan panel, held its opening meeting May 13. It was formed by House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, to meet Gov. Ron DeSantis' demand for exploring how to overhaul local property taxes – possibly with a ballot proposal next year. The panel is set to meet occasionally until September and report back with recommendations by January. But the committee's first meeting came even as the deadlock deepened over the state budget and tax breaks, with Perez, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and DeSantis bitterly divided. Still, in a nod to DeSantis, state Reps. Toby Oberdorf, R-Palm City, and Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, the committee's co-chairs, sent a letter to the governor urging that he appear before the panel to provide his ideas on cutting property taxes. The letter went out just moments after Perez said DeSantis' top plan to send $1,000 checks to homesteaded property owners was 'the only option I have ruled out.' DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin fired back at the panel's invite. 'This is the design of a committee intended to kill an idea like property tax relief,' Griffin posted on X. Amid the caustic atmosphere between the state's Republican leaders, the House panel's opening session was mostly consumed by a presentation by state economist Amy Baker on the state of property taxes across Florida. Her analysis showed that while property taxes are central to financing county and city governments, communities do vary in their dependence on them. In Flagler and Nassau counties in the state's Northeast, property taxes provide more than 40% of total county revenue; in others, Miami-Dade and Sarasota among them, less than 20% of county dollars come from the levies imposed on homes and businesses. Baker said the impact is 'randomly distributed across the state.' She added 'they're very unique.' Even as the effect of property taxes varies, city and county spending is dominated by the cost of law enforcement, Baker's analysis showed. Lawmakers on the panel said that, given the dollars provided by property taxes, erasing them would rattle local governments. Some mentioned that replacement taxes would have to be considered. But Oberdorf, the co-chair, urged panelists not to move too swiftly toward providing more dollars to cities and counties. 'I would challenge you to rein in revenue, instead,' Oberdorf said. Could be beginning of hot summer... Florida GOP divide on taxes, budget could make for long, hot summer at Capitol Late night deal blows up... 'Blew up': Florida House speaker slams Senate president for breaking state budget deal Lopez agreed: 'We're here cutting expenses and looking for efficiencies, and we believe local governments should do the very same thing,' she said. 'I think it's a combination of two things: Where do you find other revenue sources, but more importantly, are you spending the money the way the taxpayers expect you to.' Oberdorf added, 'We've seen since the COVID years that money for these municipalities has increased, incredibly. It's our duty to make sure this money is spent wisely … (so) we have to take hard looks.' John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Network's Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@ or on X at @JKennedyReport. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida GOP infighting haunts property tax meeting at Capitol
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Don't wait on state leaders. Floridians demand property tax relief – start local
Florida families are at a breaking point. Skyrocketing property taxes, driven by home valuations that have surged over 60% in some counties since 2019, are squeezing homeowners — particularly seniors, retirees, and families on fixed incomes. Even renters are bearing the brunt of unprecedented rising property values as landlords pass on tax increases. The American Dream of homeownership is slipping out of reach, and Floridians have had enough. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-led Florida Legislature have responded with bold proposals, including $1,000 rebate checks and a Select Committee on Property Taxes to explore transformative reforms, such as eliminating homestead property taxes entirely. While these long-term solutions are promising, immediate relief is critical. Local governments, particularly county commissions, hold a powerful tool to deliver it: the rollback rate. The rollback rate is a common-sense solution that is straightforward and effective. It adjusts millage rates to offset rising property values, ensuring local governments collect the same revenue as the previous year without imposing automatic tax hikes on homeowners. This approach maintains funding for essential services like law enforcement, schools, and infrastructure while curbing wasteful spending and bloated budgets. Tax cut collapse: With Trump's tariffs and federal cuts, Florida's tax plan comes at a bad time | Editorial For too long, local governments have reaped windfalls from soaring property assessments, with some counties seeing tax revenue increases of 50% or more. These funds have often fueled bureaucracy and pet projects rather than addressing taxpayers' needs. The Republican Party of Florida's #RollbackNOW campaign demands that local officials adopt the rollback rate to provide immediate relief and protect homeowners from market-driven tax increases beyond their control. Adopting the rollback rate is not just a fiscal decision, it's a moral one. Local governments must prioritize homeowners over government excess. Across Florida, county commissions have the opportunity to lead by example, showing constituents, they value fiscal responsibility and the well-being of their communities. Beyond the rollback rate, local officials should engage with residents and advocate for comprehensive reforms alongside the state's Select Committee on Property Taxes. Proposals like additional homestead exemptions or voter referendums to eliminate homestead taxes deserve robust community discussion. By preparing their communities for these conversations, local leaders can amplify the push for lasting relief. Property taxes vs. Insurance: Condo crisis: HOA's level of insurance can block owners from refinancing. This man's did. To local elected officials: the power to act is in your hands. Florida families are watching, and they demand leaders who fight for them, not for bigger government. Follow the lead of Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature — adopt the rollback rate, cut waste, and listen to your constituents. Show the courage to prioritize fundamental spending on law enforcement, schools, and infrastructure over bureaucratic expansion. The #RollbackNOW movement is about action, accountability, and results. It's about ensuring every level of government — state, county, and city — works together to preserve the American Dream. Local governments are the frontline of this fight. By starting with the rollback rate, they can help build a future where every Floridian can afford to call our great state home. Evan Power is the Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Property tax relief demands local FL leaders rollback rates | Opinion
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Blew up': Florida House speaker slams Senate president for breaking state budget deal
Saying Florida Senate President Ben Albritton "blew up the framework for the budget deal we had," House Speaker Daniel Perez said lawmakers now must extend the 2025 session to June 30 to finish the 2025-26 state budget – the one job they are constitutionally mandated to do each year. In a May 9 memo to his members that was released to the news media, Perez, R-Miami, said Albritton, R-Wauchula, broke "his commitment to the House" and said he would "no longer bring the House's historic tax proposal to the Senate floor." That's because Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier in the week said he would veto any proposed cut to the state sales tax, claiming it would jeopardize his push for cuts to property taxes. 'Any 'Florida last' tax package is going to be dead on arrival,' he told reporters at an event in Tampa. The veto threat upended what was called a 'framework' for a budget deal agreed to by House and Senate leaders, who failed to reach an agreement during the 60-day regular session that was supposed to end May 2. Lawmakers still need to come to accord on what could be a $115 billion budget. In his own memo released soon after Perez's, Albritton said that "throughout the entire course of negotiations with the House, the Senate has been and remains committed to tax cuts that offer broad-based and meaningful tax relief for families, seniors, and small businesses." "... It is important to me that we develop a tax relief package that is sustainable for the long term and leaves room in our balanced budget for the voters to consider meaningful property tax relief on the ballot at the next general election," he added. "We will continue to work towards a final budget and tax relief package the House, Senate and Governor can support." Albritton also made clear that no work on the budget could begin the week of May 12, when lawmakers were expected to return to Tallahassee: "As soon as we determine a date to start the budget conference, we will certainly let you know." Meantime, Perez said he was "keenly aware that the uncertainty around the schedule causes problems for you and your families, but we will continue to work with the Senate to lock down dates as soon as practical." "... We will still be meeting on Tuesday, May 13 to hold a floor session to pass a concurrent resolution extending the timeline through the end of June. We will also hold a meeting of the Select Committee on Property Taxes." A request for comment is pending with the governor's office; DeSantis was in Jacksonville the morning of May 9 holding a roundtable on tax cuts. "Our responsibilities do not change," Perez added. "We will deliver a fiscally conservative budget that cuts government waste and puts Florida on the best possible trajectory for long-term success." This story, which contains previously published material, is developing and may be updated. Check back later for more. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at jrosica@ and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Perez: Senate president's actions force session extension to June 30
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida lawmakers to explore eliminating property taxes
Video above: Gov. DeSantis proposes to reduce property taxes TALLHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Lawmakers in the Florida House of Representatives announced a new Select Committee on Property Taxes on Tuesday. The committee will explore potential reforms, including eliminating property taxes, according to a news release. Investigation continues into deadly Clearwater Ferry crash The committee will consider policies requiring every city, county and special district in the state to hold a referendum where voters can weigh in on eliminating property taxes for homestead properties. Other potential reforms include creating a new $500,000 homestead exemption and a $1 million exemption for homes owned by Floridians age 65 and older or who have owned a home for 30 years. 'Floridians should have the chance to decide on real, lasting property tax reforms,' committee co-chair Rep. Vicki Lopez said in a statement. 'Our committee will bring forward ideas that protect homeowners and reflect the realities and needs facing homeowners today.' Members will also explore authorizing the legislature to make changes to homestead exemption law. They will consider eliminating the ability to foreclose on a homestead property with a property tax lien. 'This is about giving Floridians more freedom and security in their homes. We're committed to listening, thinking boldly, and delivering real solutions that make a difference,' committee co-chair Rep. Tony Overdorf said in a statement. The new select committee is expected to convene for the first time on May 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
