GOP Governor Expresses Support For Abolishing Property Taxes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis backed the idea of abolishing property taxes, saying it’s “the more oppressive and ineffective form of taxation.”

“Property taxes are local, not state. So we’d 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,” DeSantis said.

“We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that 60%,” the Republican governor continued.

“I agree that taxing land/property is the more oppressive and ineffective form of taxation,” he added.

Property taxes are local, not state. So we’d 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…

We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that… https://t.co/WpOQmjNl0X

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 13, 2025

Fox News reports:

Eric Trump, one of President Donald Trump’s sons, shared DeSantis’ post, and hailed the idea, declaring, “Florida leading the way! This is amazing!”

The governor’s tweet has amassed more than 50,000 likes so far since he shared it on Thursday evening.

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DeSantis mounted a presidential bid in 2023, but dropped out and endorsed Trump in early 2024 after finishing in a distant second place in the Iowa Republican presidential caucus.

Florida leading the way! This is amazing! @GovRonDeSantis https://t.co/NnVG9Eqqn9

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) February 14, 2025

NEW: DeSantis backs abolishing property taxes in Florida, calls for constitutional changehttps://t.co/yxiaHfM066

— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) February 14, 2025

According to prior reports, DeSantis said he wants to make a major push to lower property taxes in the Sunshine State.

I agree! https://t.co/MXfnCxPvh1

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 13, 2025

Per News4JAX:

DeSantis said one way that could happen would be to raise the homestead exemption for Florida homeowners. He said he wants to address property taxes to offset ongoing issues like rising interest rates, increasing home costs and homeowners insurance.

“Home prices have gone up. Part of it is inflation, but part of it in Florida is demand. It’s a lot of people that have demand to live here in Northwest Florida. I mean, it’s a hot spot and so, you have the home prices going up, interest rates have gone up. So people want to get a mortgage. That’s more difficult,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said a major change in property taxes would require a constitutional amendment because the legislature or the governor can’t make changes alone. The amendment would likely not go before voters until 2026.

When someone owns a property and makes it his or her permanent residence or the permanent residence of his or her dependent, the property may be eligible to receive a homestead exemption up to $50,000.

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The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes. The additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and only to non-school taxes, according to current Florida statutes.

If the assessed value is $100,000, the first $25,000 of value is exempt from all property tax, the next $25,000 of value is taxable, the third $25,000 of value is exempt from non-school taxes, and the remaining $25,000 of value is taxable, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

DeSantis said he plans to work with the Florida Legislature before his term ends in January 2027 to get a possible constitutional amendment on the ballot to address the homestead exemption.

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This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.